Managing long COVID symptoms and accessing health services in Brazil: A grounded theory analysis

Background: The worldwide community has shown significant interest in researching the management of Long COVID. However, there is scarce evidence about the daily experiences of people living with Long COVID and their insights into the healthcare services provided to them. Aims: This study aims to understand the experience of Long COVID sufferers with their symptoms and in accessing health services. Method: We employed Charmaz's grounded theory methodology, informed by constructivism, and applied the COREQ guidelines for qualitative research. Sixty-six Brazilians living with Long COVID participated in the study. The data was collected using semi-structured telephone interviews and analyzed using a constant comparative process. Findings: The findings refer firstly to the consequences of persistent Long COVID symptoms. Secondly, they describe how the disease trajectory required Long COVID sufferers to reorganize their routines and develop adaptive strategies. Lastly, they reflect a diverse array of both positive and negative interactions inside the healthcare system conveyed by individuals suffering from Long COVID. These elements converge towards the core category of the study: "The limbo of Long COVID sufferers: between the persistence of symptoms and access to health services". Conclusions: Long COVID is characterized by its varied nature, including a range of physical and emotional repercussions experienced by individuals. There is a need for enhanced comprehension and discourse about Long COVID across several domains, including the general public, policymaking entities, and healthcare professionals. In this sense, the development of specialized services or the reinforcement of existing services to support long COVID sufferers is imperative.