Conectar
To explore existing evidence for the provision of support for return to work (RTW) in long COVID (LC) patients and the barriers and facilitators to taking up this support.
A rapid review reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The study was preregistered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023478126).
Searches were completed in June 2024 across major databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, evidence-based medicine reviews, Web of Science and Google Scholar.
Included studies focused on people with LC (PwLC) symptoms lasting over 12 weeks and addressed either: (1) non-workplace- or workplace-based support for RTW and/or (2) barriers and facilitators to RTW in this population.
A quality assessment was conducted using the JBI Systematic Reviews critical appraisal tool. The data were summarised in tabular format and a narrative synthesis.
Twenty-five studies were included. While many studies demonstrated rigorous methodologies and low risk of bias levels, some had high and medium risk levels. Non-workplace-based support was mostly measured quantitatively and included interdisciplinary healthcare programmes, clinical interventions and rehabilitation programmes focusing on pacing and breathing strategies. Compensation and insurance schemes were important funders of these interventions.
Workplace-based support was mostly measured qualitatively. Barriers to the provision of support at organisational level included lack of understanding of LC symptoms, insufficient workplace guidance and educational gaps among managers. Individual barriers included threat of income loss, remote working and disconnection from the workplace. Facilitators for support included recognition and validation of LC and its symptoms, and eligibility for disability benefits associated with work.
RTW is an important outcome of health-related absence and should be systematically recorded in studies of PwLC. The heterogeneity and unpredictability of LC symptoms create challenges for supporting working age populations. Further research is crucial to better understand the specific RTW needs for PwLC and address potential barriers and facilitators to workplace-based support, particularly through interventions, organisational practices and employ-led policies that enable sustained RTW. Consistent guidelines on LC’s definition and disability status may facilitate the provision of support and the development of interventions.
CRD42023478126.
The aims of the study were to explore the experiences of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their partners and examine the factors influencing partner involvement in GDM management, seeking to inform a targeted couple-based intervention.
A descriptive qualitative study.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women with GDM and their partners. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, China. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Three themes and 12 subthemes were identified. Theme I: Women's expectations of their partner's involvement in GDM management—practical support and emotional support. Theme II: Partner involvement in GDM management—constructive involvement, unhelpful involvement with good intentions and insufficient involvement. Theme III: Factors that influence partner involvement in GDM—knowledge of GDM, GDM risk perception, health consciousness, attitudes towards the treatment plan, couple communication regarding GDM management, family roles and appraisal of GDM management responsibility.
Women desired practical and emotional support from partners. The types of partner involvement in GDM management varied. Some partners provided constructive support, while some partners' involvement was limited, non-existent or actively unhelpful. By combining these results with the factors influencing partner involvement, our findings may help healthcare professionals develop strategies to involve partners in GDM care and enhance women's ability to manage GDM.
Partner involvement in GDM care may help them understand and better attend to women's needs, thus improving their experience and potential outcomes. This study highlights novel factors that need to be considered in developing couple-based interventions for this population.
The reporting follows the COREQ checklist.
Some patients were involved in data interpretation. There is no public contribution.
FreshRSS 