As we learn more about COVID-19 and are better able to support people, it has become clear that many people experience long-term symptoms relating to a COVID-19 infection (Long COVID). This is a challenge for healthcare. Traditionally, care pathways for long-term conditions are focused on single diseases; however, that approach is ineffective at supporting people with more than one long-term condition or those with medically not yet explained symptoms. Long COVID usually presents with clusters of symptoms, which may change over time. Therefore, healthcare services have to take a broader approach to care, focusing on more than one system (biological, psychological and social, which together are called a biopsychosocial approach). This is called an integrated care pathway. Integrated care involves the whole pathway from primary care to specialist and rehabilitation services.

In the UK, integrated care pathways offer an opportunity to explore the benefits of an integrated approach to care for Long COVID, long-term conditions and multiple long-term conditions. This study seeks to answer the broad research question: What are effective integrated care pathways for individuals with Long COVID and how can they be transferred to other long-term conditions including mental disorders, multiple long-term conditions and the interface between known medical disorders and medically not yet explained symptoms as well as newly developed conditions?

This Delphi study will investigate:
1. (a) Key enabling elements for effective integrated care pathways for individuals with long COVID, based on user experience, and (b) Strengths of existing integrated care pathways for other long-term conditions.
2. Which (part of an) integrated care pathway model for Long COVID can be transferred to other long-term conditions for which care pathways were not yet developed sufficiently, and how.
3. Variations in uptake and adherence to treatment in Long COVID and long-term conditions.

The STIMULATE-ICP-DELPHI study looks at optimal care for long COVID and other long-term conditions (https://www.stimulate-icp.org/delphi-project). In that context, the second Delphi survey has now been prepared and is ready to launch. This survey aims to assess what should be prioritised in integrated care for long COVID and other long-term conditions. On behalf of the Delphi team, you are invited to complete this survey. We would also be grateful if you share it with others who might be interested.

The link to the survey is:
https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1LF6AeRx6r4Gjum.

Do watch the patient-led video on this part of the study below.