Half of hospitalised COVID patients develop complications: Research

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Authors of the large peer-reviewed study warn of ‘important long-term effects’ on the health system.

Subject

Covid 19

General Practice

Rehabilitation

Period20 Jul 2021

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleHalf of hospitalised COVID patients develop complications: Research
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletNews GP
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date20/07/21
    DescriptionAuthors of the large peer-reviewed study warn of ‘important long-term effects’ on the health system...

    For Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care and Co-Chair on the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, the study backs up previous research into the lingering effect of the disease.

    As well as noting the implications of the study for policymakers, he said the findings are important for individuals weighing up the risks of the disease.

    ‘It is devastating to think of the avoidable harm that can happen to people who are unlucky enough to get severe COVID-19 and this is avoidable by vaccination,’ he told newsGP.

    ‘The study adds further evidence that COVID-19 should not be treated as a benign disease even in
    young adults.

    ‘The reality is they have shown people that get serious COVID have lasting damage that needs to be managed.’

    Professor Morgan also directed GPs to relevant information compiled by the COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce – specifically the Care of People with Post-acute COVID-19 flowchart – and said the study reinforces the importance of effectively organised post-hospital care.

    ‘I think there is a real need for a co-ordinated approach on discharge,’ he said. ‘There needs to be thought given to effective rehabilitation once somebody leaves hospital having had severe infection.

    ‘Then it’s up to GPs to do what we do very well, which is to help people live with complex medical conditions and organise the multidisciplinary team to help.’
    Producer/AuthorJoylon Attwooll
    URLhttps://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/research-finds-nearly-half-of-hospitalised-covid-p?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email
    PersonsMark Morgan