Long COVID Patients Feel Dismissed, Study Shows

A study from the University of Surrey, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, reveals that individuals suffering from long COVID often feel dismissed and unsupported by healthcare providers, contributing to a sense of disbelief about their condition. Many patients feel pressured to validate their illness as physical to be taken seriously, and consequently, they may reject psychological support out of fear it suggests their symptoms are imaginary. The study involved interviews with 14 UK residents, highlighting a loss of trust in medical professionals and a struggle to find adequate treatment. Professor Jane Ogden, a co-author, emphasizes the critical need for patients to feel believed, noting that offering psychological support in place of medical care can be perceived as dismissive. The UK Office for National Statistics reports that 1.9 million people live with long COVID, experiencing persistent symptoms such as fatigue, concentration difficulties, and muscle aches. Saara Petker, another co-author, stresses the importance of integrating medical and psychological support sensitively to avoid further alienating patients.