In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. Ontario has confirmed more than 547,000 cases of COVID-19 since testing began. For many of these patients, symptoms resolve within 4 weeks of onset. However, it is becoming apparent that a significant number of individuals are experiencing symptoms that persist long after the acute infection, known as Long COVID. These individuals have a wide constellation of presenting symptoms, often varying from initial presentation. For this study, we will be enrolling individuals receiving care at The Ottawa Hospital for Long COVID. This study aims to determine the following four things: 1) will adding electronic case management improve quality of life three months after coming to hospital with Long COVID; 2) is the electronic case management platform cost effective; 3) is there any factors that predict outcomes at 3 months; 4) to determine how a personalized rehabilitation program supported by a digital platform could be implemented for individuals with Long COVID. We will enroll individuals from The Ottawa Hospital who will then be randomly assigned to receive either usual care or usual care plus electronic case management, through a platform called NexJ Connected Wellness. Participants will also complete questionnaires every 4 weeks for 3 months. We will be looking at quality of life, mental and physical health, cognitive symptoms, fatigue and pain.
Behavioral: NexJ Connected Wellness
NexJ Connected Wellness is an electronic case management platform with a patient-facing smart phone application and a clinician-facing web dashboard.
Other: Usual Care
Participants will receive a treatment plan as decided on with their clinician(s).
Inclusion Criteria
Participants must:
1. Be 18 years of age or older
2. Have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 with a PCR test at least 12 weeks prior OR a
confirmed Rapid Antigen Test at least 12-weeks prior OR meet Ottawa Public Health
guidance for a suspected COVID-19 case
3. Have at least one ongoing symptom consistent with Long COVID as measured by the WHO
Post COVID Case Report Form (CRF)
4. Have a minimum WHODAS (36 item) sum score of 15
5. Be willing to use email for study activities
6. Be able and willing to use a smart phone application for the duration of the trial
7. Be able to read and understand English or French.
8. Be willing and able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
Participants must not:
1. Have any significant functional impairment (for example. advanced dementia, heart or
lung disease) as judged by the assessing clinician
2. Participate in another long-COVID trial where treatment is required in the protocol
(pharmacological or behavioural). Observational studies will be allowed.
3. Have symptoms consistent with Long COVID that are better explained by an alternative
diagnosis
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Investigator: Kayla Jo Wells
Contact: 6137378899
kwells@ohri.ca
Investigator: Simon Hatcher, MD
Kayla Jo Wells, HBSc
6137378899 - 81135
kwells@ohri.ca
Nicole Edgar, HBSc
6137378899 - 81209
nedgar@ohri.ca