Policy Paper: The Health Care Experiences of People with Long COVID in the GTA

Policy Paper: The Health Care Experiences of People with Long COVID in the GTA Author Rishika Wadehra SEPTEMBER 2023 The Health Care Experiences of People Living with Long COVID in the GTA 1 Acknowledgements We are grateful to those who participated in the research study and took the time to share their experiences and viewpoints on living with long COVID in the Greater Toronto Area. [...] The Government of Ontario should work with health-care providers, long COVID community groups and those with lived experience to develop a province-wide directive on the requirements for access and referral to long COVID clinics to ensure consistency and coordination. [...] The Government of Ontario, Ministry of Health and Ontario Health should work with service providers, those with lived experience and high-risk populations to develop and evaluate long COVID clinics and care programs to ensure equitable access and appropriate care. [...] In addition to barriers to accessing primary care, a lack of capacity of primary care providers to respond to the growing demand for long COVID services has the potential to contribute to inequitable outcomes for those with the condition. [...] The Health Care Experiences of People Living with Long COVID in the GTA 9 Working with service providers that work in the areas of social determinants of health, those with lived experience, and high-risk populations in the co-designing and developing long COVID clinics and care programs is crucial to address service-based inequities.