Project #119:
The healthcare utilisation of people with long COVID

According to a survey published in May 2022 by the Office for National Statistics, 1.8 million people, nearing 3% of the total UK population, had long COVID. The number of long COVID cases is enormous; however, the impact on the healthcare system has not yet been quantified. Our study aims to investigate the healthcare utilisation of people with long COVID and the risk factors for high users of healthcare resources.

We will identify people with long COVID using their electronic health records and analyse their healthcare contacts and costs, specifically primary care consultation, accident and emergency room visits, secondary care (inpatient and outpatient), and prescriptions. In addition, we will explore the potential factors associated with high healthcare utilisation among people with long COVID and compare their healthcare utilisation to historical records before the pandemic.