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Chapter 17: COVID-19 Rehabilitation

DOI:

10.1891/9780826156280.0017

Authors

  • Neal, Jacqueline
  • Soriano, Rachna
  • Dangelmaier, Jessica

Abstract

In December 2019, the first reports of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were described in Wuhan, China. The virus evolved rapidly, spreading quickly in communities and soon across the globe, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. Many patients require prolonged hospitalizations, and ultimately the need for physiatric intervention, including inpatient rehabilitation. Persistent symptoms are varied and extensive, involving essentially all organ systems. The most frequent symptoms reported are fatigue, breathlessness, postexertional malaise, and cognitive dysfunction. Given that millions of people worldwide have suffered from COVID-19, the societal impacts are expected to be profound, possibly causing long-lasting changes to the healthcare system. The field of physiatry is aptly trained for management of these symptoms, particularly as they pertain to the impact on quality of life. This chapter provides a summary based on information available at the time of publishing.