• Brendan Dempsey, Ira Madan, Sharon A M Stevelink, and Danielle Lamb.
• Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
• Br. Med. Bull. 2024 Sep 27; 151 (1): 163516-35.

IntroductionLong COVID (LC) occurs when people experience symptoms for weeks, months or even years after a COVID-19 infection. This review looks at research exploring the LC definitions, prevalence, symptoms, risk factors, and associated impacts in research on healthcare workers (HCWs).Data SourcesWe systematically searched five electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycInfo and PubMed) and compiled a narrative literature review based on 56 relevant studies.Areas Of AgreementLC is prevalent among HCWs who become infected by COVID-19. Many of the most frequent symptoms associated with LC in the general population are also reported among HCWs. Some risk factors for LC are also similar to those in the general population, such as female sex, older age, and having a pre-existing respiratory illness.Areas Of ControversyThe mechanism(s) responsible for LC remains unknown. A variety of terms, timeframes and symptoms are used to define LC, creating difficulties in comparing results across studies. Much of the research is cross-sectional and fails to explore the impacts that prolonged symptoms have on HCWs' personal and professional lives.Growing PointsThe need to support HCWs with LC is clear. Identifying the mechanism(s) responsible for LC is a key priority, as this will inform treatments.Areas For Developing ResearchFuture research should move towards a standard definition for LC. Greater attention should be paid to longitudinal and qualitative studies, which could give insights into prognosis, lived experience and work participation. Finally, studies evaluating treatments suitable for people with LC are timely.© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.

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