Long covid and general practice: a survey of patients in the Republic of Ireland
7 affiliations
- 1Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- 2School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- 3Long Covid Advocacy Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- 4St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- 5National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- 6Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- 7The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Abstract
Background: Long Covid is a multi-factorial condition impacting millions globally.
Aims: (1) To describe the demographic and health profiles of adults who have or have had Long Covid, and (2) examine their experiences of Long Covid healthcare, particularly in general practice. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the Republic of Ireland in April 2025.
Methods: Survey items investigated demographics, medical history, and experiences of Long Covid care. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis of open responses.
Results: Of 222 (87.05%) eligible respondents, most were 35–64 years (n = 184, 82.14%), female (n = 177, 79.7%), and born in the Republic of Ireland (n = 193, 86.9%). Respondents reported wide-ranging multimorbidity and Long Covid symptoms. Many strongly agreed that their symptoms were severe (n = 196, 88.7%) and detrimental to quality of life (n = 200, 90.1%), physical (n = 202, 91%) and mental (n = 98, 45%) health. Long Covid commonly lasted more than three years (n = 169, 76.1%), indicating substantial long-term impact on daily functioning. Almost all consulted general practitioners for Long Covid care (n = 213, 95.9%). Nearly half (n = 95, 44.6%) were dissatisfied with current GP care, and many felt GPs lacked adequate knowledge of Long Covid (n = 127. 59.6%). Respondents supported proposed GP-based investigative and referral interventions, as well as affirming and advocacy-focused doctor–patient relationships.
Conclusions: Continued clinical and research efforts are needed to address future Long Covid care needs. With structured, informed, holistic, and multidisciplinary care, general practice can make a positive contribution to the lives of those affected.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04481-1.
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BibTeX
@article{broughan2026long,
title = {{Long covid and general practice: a survey of patients in the Republic of Ireland}},
author = {John Broughan and Yao Xie and Crea Carberry and Sarah O’Connell and Jacinta Fay and Pamela Morrison and Nandakumar Ravichandran and Stefano Savinelli and Geoff McCombe and Mary Higgins and John S. Lambert and Walter Cullen},
journal = {Irish Journal of Medical Science},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1007/s11845-026-04481-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04481-1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Long covid and general practice: a survey of patients in the Republic of Ireland
AU - John Broughan
AU - Yao Xie
AU - Crea Carberry
AU - Sarah O’Connell
AU - Jacinta Fay
AU - Pamela Morrison
AU - Nandakumar Ravichandran
AU - Stefano Savinelli
AU - Geoff McCombe
AU - Mary Higgins
AU - John S. Lambert
AU - Walter Cullen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/13
JO - Irish Journal of Medical Science
DO - 10.1007/s11845-026-04481-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04481-1
AB - Background: Long Covid is a multi-factorial condition impacting millions globally. Aims: (1) To describe the demographic and health profiles of adults who have or have had Long Covid, and (2) examine their experiences of Long Covid healthcare, particularly in general practice. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the Republic of Ireland in April 2025. Methods: Survey items investigated demographics, medical history, and experiences of Long Covid care. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis of open responses. Results: Of 222 (87.05%) eligible respondents, most were 35–64 years (n = 184, 82.14%), female (n = 177, 79.7%), and born in the Republic of Ireland (n = 193, 86.9%). Respondents reported wide-ranging multimorbidity and Long Covid symptoms. Many strongly agreed that their symptoms were severe (n = 196, 88.7%) and detrimental to quality of life (n = 200, 90.1%), physical (n = 202, 91%) and mental (n = 98, 45%) health. Long Covid commonly lasted more than three years (n = 169, 76.1%), indicating substantial long-term impact on daily functioning. Almost all consulted general practitioners for Long Covid care (n = 213, 95.9%). Nearly half (n = 95, 44.6%) were dissatisfied with current GP care, and many felt GPs lacked adequate knowledge of Long Covid (n = 127. 59.6%). Respondents supported proposed GP-based investigative and referral interventions, as well as affirming and advocacy-focused doctor–patient relationships. Conclusions: Continued clinical and research efforts are needed to address future Long Covid care needs. With structured, informed, holistic, and multidisciplinary care, general practice can make a positive contribution to the lives of those affected. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04481-1.
SN - 0021-1265
SN - 1863-4362
ER -