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Long COVID/PASC

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AAPM&R is Calling for a Comprehensive National Plan to Address the Needs of Millions Suffering from Long COVID

According to two recent publications from the Journal of the American Medical Association, ten to thirty percent of individuals who had COVID-19 reported at least one persistent symptom up to six months after the virus left their bodies. That means 3 to 10 million Americans are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which are varied and ongoing, including neurological challenges, cognitive problems such as brain fog, shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, and mobility issues.

AAPM&R called on President Joe Biden and Congress to gear up for the next coronavirus crisis by preparing and implementing a comprehensive national plan focused on meeting the needs of millions of individuals suffering from the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, and help them regain quality of life and return to being active members of their communities. The plan must include a commitment to three major components:

  • Resources to build necessary infrastructure to meet this crisis
  • Equitable access to care for patients
  • Research to advance medical understanding of Long COVID

PM&R physicians are uniquely qualified to help guide the multidisciplinary effort needed to develop a plan for this crisis. As a specialty, physiatrists are investigators, team leaders and problem solvers. PM&R physicians see the whole patient AND the whole picture of the rehabilitation ecosystem. Physiatrists are exactly what this crisis needs. Learn more about our Multidisciplinary PASC Collaborative, launched in March 2021, which is working on quality improvement initiatives.

AAPM&R Advocacy, Healthcare Collaborations and Partnerships, and Customized Resources to Support PM&R During This Crisis

AAPM&R is working to ensure PM&R is part of the national conversation about healthcare amidst COVID-19 and advocating for the federal support, legislation, regulation relief and resources that physiatrists need now. One way we are doing this is through our partnerships and collaborations with other specialty societies. The Academy continuously works to represent PM&R through these collaborations, and it is through these partnerships that we are able to discuss and share a variety of resources with you that you critically need.

Stay Up-to-Date

Long COVID Initiative Updates: June 16, 2021

Jun 16, 2021

AAPM&R will provide consistent updates on our advocacy outreach efforts, the Multi-Disciplinary PASC Collaborative and other relevant information to our Long COVID initiative.

Making PM&R Essential, Now and in the Future: COVID-19 Rehabilitation

AAPM&R's Multi-Disciplinary Long COVID/PASC Collaborative met yesterday to discuss the final round of voting for cognitive impairment and the first round of voting for the breathing statements. Discussions are taking place to determine which areas need to be tackled next. PM&R physicians are uniquely qualified to help guide the multidisciplinary effort needed to develop a plan for this crisis.

Our advocacy sign-on statement continues to gain support with more than 80 signatures! The statement is being shared with federal offices to demonstrate the vast support for the national crisis plan on Long COVID. We encourage organizations to sign on to this important initiative. Please ask your organizations to join!

AAPM&R Applauds New CDC Guidelines on Caring for Patients with Long COVID

On June 14, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted its interim guidance for healthcare professionals evaluating and caring for patients with post-COVID conditions. This document provides background information, general considerations for clinical evaluation of patients with post-COVID conditions, suggested workup, management, clinical care and public health recommendations as well as future directions for post-COVID conditions. We are pleased to share that the CDC referenced AAPM&R's functional assessment and our Long COVID resources in their tools and resources section, and acknowledged our Academy Past President Kathleen Bell, MD, FAAPMR, as one of their post-COVID condition experts. We issued a press release yesterday supporting this guidance and are continuing to call for a comprehensive national response to Long COVID. Learn more about our efforts.