tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
BMJ Open
. 2026 Jun 24;16(6):e117666.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117666.
Symptom burden, care pathways and treatment experiences of healthcare workers with post-COVID-19 syndrome (SCOPE-CARE): a mixed-methods study protocol
Mirja Baumgart[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura Luedtke[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jonas Petter[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Levente Kriston[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Albert Nienhaus[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Martin Härter[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both as carers and as patients. Many individuals developed persistent symptoms following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, known as post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Previous research indicates that a significant proportion of HCWs experience long-lasting and debilitating symptoms of PCS. The aim of this study is to investigate the longitudinal symptom burden as well as the care pathways and treatment experiences of PCS-affected HCWs insured by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Health and Welfare.
Methods and analysis: The study uses a mixed-methods approach. The longitudinal survey will extend a cohort study of n=2436 HCWs (started in 2023) affected by PCS, adding two measurement points, set in 2025 (T[SUB]3[/SUB]) and 2026 (T[SUB]4[/SUB]). Additionally, interviews on care pathways and treatment experiences will be conducted with a subsample of n=60 PCS-affected HCWs. Another subsample of n=30 HCWs will be asked to participate in ecological momentary assessments of symptom burden, emotional well-being and coping strategies. Analyses of routinely collected data by the insurance company will complement the study data. The study is supported by an advisory board comprising PCS-affected HCWs who assist with the content of both qualitative and quantitative surveys.
Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (LPEK-0909, 1 May 2025; amendment: LPEK-0954, 18 September 2025). The results of the study will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Registration details: https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00035957.
Keywords: Health Services; Health Services Accessibility; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome.
. 2026 Jun 24;16(6):e117666.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117666.
Symptom burden, care pathways and treatment experiences of healthcare workers with post-COVID-19 syndrome (SCOPE-CARE): a mixed-methods study protocol
Mirja Baumgart[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura Luedtke[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jonas Petter[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Levente Kriston[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Albert Nienhaus[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Martin Härter[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 42342392
- DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117666
Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both as carers and as patients. Many individuals developed persistent symptoms following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, known as post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Previous research indicates that a significant proportion of HCWs experience long-lasting and debilitating symptoms of PCS. The aim of this study is to investigate the longitudinal symptom burden as well as the care pathways and treatment experiences of PCS-affected HCWs insured by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Health and Welfare.
Methods and analysis: The study uses a mixed-methods approach. The longitudinal survey will extend a cohort study of n=2436 HCWs (started in 2023) affected by PCS, adding two measurement points, set in 2025 (T[SUB]3[/SUB]) and 2026 (T[SUB]4[/SUB]). Additionally, interviews on care pathways and treatment experiences will be conducted with a subsample of n=60 PCS-affected HCWs. Another subsample of n=30 HCWs will be asked to participate in ecological momentary assessments of symptom burden, emotional well-being and coping strategies. Analyses of routinely collected data by the insurance company will complement the study data. The study is supported by an advisory board comprising PCS-affected HCWs who assist with the content of both qualitative and quantitative surveys.
Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (LPEK-0909, 1 May 2025; amendment: LPEK-0954, 18 September 2025). The results of the study will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Registration details: https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00035957.
Keywords: Health Services; Health Services Accessibility; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome.