THE DRAGON'S TAIL: COVID-19 PSYCHIATRY FOLLOW-UP CLINICS IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE

ABSTRACT

Background: Symptoms after acute infection with COVID-19 can persist for weeks or months. Potential mechanisms include cell injury due to the virus, the consequences of the immunological response, abnormal clotting, medical comorbidity and secondary psychiatric disorders. Clinical experience and early research suggest some clustering of symptoms into differing syndromes. Multidisciplinary clinics established in tertiary hospitals have provided an opportunity to work with patients experiencing persisting symptoms and build an understanding as to their challenges and needs. Objectives: To (1) review the current knowledge regarding persistent symptoms after COVID-19;(2) provide a clinical perspective on the assessment and management of patients with persistent symptoms after COVID-19;and (3) identify potential developments in health care that may be required to address the need of patients with persistent symptoms after COVID-19. Methods: The presenters will summarise key learnings from their work in multidisciplinary COVID-19 hospital clinics in Sydney and Melbourne. Findings: Persistent symptoms after COVID-19 are common, but usually resolve over time. The mechanism for persistent symptoms is not fully understood and likely differs between patients. Conclusion: The MH practitioner's role in the management of persistent symptoms after COVID-19 includes, but is not limited to, the identification and management of secondary mental disorders and resisting the premature allocation of psychological mechanisms to somatic symptoms.