BMC health services research · 2026
Prolonged return to work and hampered work ability: insights from a scoping review on the impact of long COVID on healthcare workers job performance.
СтатьяScoping ReviewНазвание и аннотация: Перевод в очереди
Обработка статьи · этапы, ошибки и управление
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Ошибки и ограничения
История · было → стало
Состояние обновляется каждые 5 секунд, пока блок открыт. Процент показывается только там, где известен объём работы. Пауза останавливает продолжение этапа; текущий запрос к источнику может завершиться.
Delano Pia, Serra-Suton Vicky, Benavides Fernando G, Utzet Mireia
Аннотация
BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) may have a higher risk of developing long COVID due to greater exposure to COVID-19, with symptoms extending beyond the acute phase impacting their daily living activities and job performance.
AIMS: To systematically map the existing literature on the impact of long COVID on HCWs' job performance, focusing on their time to return to work and work ability.
METHODS: A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidance included peer-reviewed studies in English or Spanish (January 2020-December 2024). Four databases were searched. Experimental, epidemiological and qualitative studies were eligible. Two reviewers independently screened records. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT).
RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, mainly European and predominantly cross-sectional. Long COVID was most often defined as symptoms lasting ≥ 3 months. Among HCWs with prior infection or whole-staff samples, prevalence ranged from 10% to 74%, with multiple reports above 50%. Thirteen studies evaluated RTW, with 19-63% resumed work within six months, commonly with restrictions, while around one in five remained unable to work in some cohorts. Full-time employment decreased markedly (e.g., 57% pre-infection vs 31% at follow-up). Between 16% and 40% required workplace adjustments such as reduced hours, reassignment, or avoidance of night shifts. Sixteen studies reported diminished work ability compared with pre-infection or unaffected peers. Greater symptom burden, particularly cognitive impairment and fatigue, consistently predicted poorer outcomes. One study estimated a mean of 223 days to reach current work-ability levels. Older age, depression, comorbidity, and acute disease severity were recurrent associated factors while evidence for gender and job category was inconsistent.
CONCLUSIONS: Long COVID delays RTW and reduces work ability in HCWs. Health services should plan long-term occupational follow-up, flexible reintegration pathways, and targeted accommodations while higher-quality longitudinal research refines risk and prognosis.
AIMS: To systematically map the existing literature on the impact of long COVID on HCWs' job performance, focusing on their time to return to work and work ability.
METHODS: A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidance included peer-reviewed studies in English or Spanish (January 2020-December 2024). Four databases were searched. Experimental, epidemiological and qualitative studies were eligible. Two reviewers independently screened records. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT).
RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, mainly European and predominantly cross-sectional. Long COVID was most often defined as symptoms lasting ≥ 3 months. Among HCWs with prior infection or whole-staff samples, prevalence ranged from 10% to 74%, with multiple reports above 50%. Thirteen studies evaluated RTW, with 19-63% resumed work within six months, commonly with restrictions, while around one in five remained unable to work in some cohorts. Full-time employment decreased markedly (e.g., 57% pre-infection vs 31% at follow-up). Between 16% and 40% required workplace adjustments such as reduced hours, reassignment, or avoidance of night shifts. Sixteen studies reported diminished work ability compared with pre-infection or unaffected peers. Greater symptom burden, particularly cognitive impairment and fatigue, consistently predicted poorer outcomes. One study estimated a mean of 223 days to reach current work-ability levels. Older age, depression, comorbidity, and acute disease severity were recurrent associated factors while evidence for gender and job category was inconsistent.
CONCLUSIONS: Long COVID delays RTW and reduces work ability in HCWs. Health services should plan long-term occupational follow-up, flexible reintegration pathways, and targeted accommodations while higher-quality longitudinal research refines risk and prognosis.