From the Guidelines
Yes, there are specialized clinics in Alberta for managing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, also known as Long COVID. Alberta Health Services operates dedicated post-COVID recovery clinics in major centers including Edmonton, Calgary, and other regions across the province. These clinics provide multidisciplinary care for patients experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection, such as fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and other ongoing health issues. Patients typically need a referral from their family physician or healthcare provider to access these specialized services. The clinics offer comprehensive assessments, symptom management strategies, rehabilitation services, and connections to appropriate specialists based on individual symptoms. Treatment approaches are personalized and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, breathing exercises, cognitive rehabilitation, and mental health support.
Key Services Offered
- Comprehensive assessments to identify the extent of post-COVID symptoms and their impact on daily life
- Symptom management strategies tailored to each patient's needs
- Rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy, to improve functional capacity and reduce disability
- Connections to specialists for specific symptoms, such as cardiologists for heart-related issues or neurologists for cognitive problems
- Access to mental health support for addressing anxiety, depression, or other psychological impacts of Long COVID
Evidence Supporting Clinic Establishment
The establishment of these clinics is supported by evidence suggesting that a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients experience prolonged symptoms, with studies indicating that approximately 10-30% of patients have symptoms lasting weeks or months after initial infection 1. This evidence underscores the need for specialized care to manage these ongoing health issues and improve patients' quality of life.
Accessing Clinic Services
For patients experiencing persistent symptoms of COVID-19, it is recommended to consult with their family physician or healthcare provider to discuss the possibility of a referral to one of these specialized clinics. While awaiting clinic access, patients can utilize self-management resources available through the Alberta Health Services website, including rehabilitation guides and symptom management strategies.
From the Research
Clinics in Alberta for Managing Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
- There are clinics in Alberta for managing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long COVID, as part of the provincial health system's long COVID care pathway 2.
- These clinics include primary care, outpatient rehabilitation, and COVID-19 specialty clinics, which are part of the care continuum for long COVID management 2.
- A novel, complex chronic condition emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic: long COVID, which requires multidisciplinary, collaborative models of care 2.
Provincial Long COVID Care Pathway
- Alberta's provincial health system developed a novel long COVID pathway, which includes a multidisciplinary approach to care 2.
- The pathway involves the use of specific symptom screening and assessment tools to systematically identify long COVID symptoms and functional impairments 3.
- The pathway also includes pathways to determine patients' rehabilitation trajectory and guide their transition between care settings, as well as self-management and education resources for patients and providers 3.
Rehabilitation Services
- Rehabilitation services are a key element of long COVID management, and can include exercise-based therapy, telerehabilitation, and other modules 4, 5.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation is a critical component of long COVID management, particularly for patients with respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea 4.
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation has also been shown to be effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity, and quality of life in long COVID patients 6.