RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Addressing Post-COVID Symptoms: A Guide for Primary Care Physicians
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 1229
OP 1242
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2021.06.210254
VO 34
IS 6
A1 Vance, Heather
A1 Maslach, Amelita
A1 Stoneman, Emily
A1 Harmes, Kathryn
A1 Ransom, Andrea
A1 Seagly, Katharine
A1 Furst, Wendy
YR 2021
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/34/6/1229.abstract
AB Background: Post-COVID symptoms, defined as symptoms lasting >4 weeks postinfection, have been identified not only among those patients who were hospitalized with severe symptoms but also among those who were asymptomatic or with only mild symptoms. Primary care providers (PCPs) will often be the first point of contact for patients experiencing potential complications of post-COVID symptoms. The aim of this article is to present a post-COVID management tool for PCPs to use as a quick reference and guide to the initial workup and management of the most common post-COVID symptoms.Methods: Published guidance, recent literature, and expert specialist opinion were used to create the structure outlining the outpatient evaluation and treatment for post-COVID symptoms.Results: A quick-reference guide for management of post-COVID symptoms was created for PCPs. Educational materials were created for clinicians to share with patients. Our article reviews several common complaints including respiratory, cognitive, and neurological symptoms, chronic fatigue, dysautonomia, and anosmia and presents recommendations for management.Conclusions: Data on long-term effects of COVID-19 are still emerging, and rapid dissemination of this data to front-line PCPs is crucial. This table was our effort to make the currently available evidence accessible for our PCPs in a simple, easy-to-use format.