Understanding the role of community pharmacy in the support of people with long COVID
Living with "long COVID" can be really tough, with symptoms lasting weeks or even months after the initial infection. Over two million people in the UK are currently affected, and many struggle to find the right support. This study aims to find out how local chemists, also known as community pharmacies, can help. Researchers will speak to people who have long COVID and pharmacy staff to understand their experiences and needs. Based on what they learn, they will work together to create an online training course for pharmacy staff. This course will help pharmacists and their teams better understand long COVID, offer helpful advice, and guide people to other support services. This could make getting help for long COVID much easier and closer to home for many.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Many people who get COVID-19 find that some symptoms, like tiredness, breathlessness, or difficulty thinking clearly, can last for a long time afterwards. This is often called "long COVID." It can be a very challenging condition, and finding the right support hasn't always been easy.
This study wants to explore how your local high-street pharmacy, and the friendly staff who work there, can play a bigger role in helping people with long COVID. Pharmacists are often the first port of call for various health concerns and are well-placed in our communities. The study aims to understand what kind of support people with long COVID need from their pharmacy, and what pharmacy staff feel they need to know to provide that support effectively.
To do this, the researchers will talk to both people living with long COVID and pharmacy staff. They'll ask about their experiences, what works well, and what could be improved. All of this information will then be used to create a new online training program specifically for pharmacy staff. This training will help them learn more about long COVID, how to offer advice, and where to signpost people for further help. The overall goal is to make it easier for people with long COVID to get the support they need, right in their local community.
Key takeaways
- This study aims to improve support for people with long COVID in local pharmacies.
- It involves talking to people with long COVID and pharmacy staff about their experiences.
- The goal is to co-design an online training course for pharmacy teams.
- The study is led by Keele University and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
- Participants receive a £25 e-voucher for their time.
Who may be eligible?
To take part in this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. If you have long COVID, you must have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 for four weeks or longer and live in the UK.
If you work at a community pharmacy, you also need to be 18 or older and work in a community pharmacy setting in the UK. This study is specifically for community pharmacy staff, not pharmacists who work in places like GP surgeries or hospitals.
Basically, the study is looking for adults in the UK who either have lived experience with long COVID or who work in a community pharmacy and want to help improve support for this condition.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Do you live in the UK?
- Do you have long COVID (symptoms lasting 4+ weeks) OR do you work in a UK community pharmacy?
- If you work in a pharmacy, is it a community pharmacy (not in a hospital or GP surgery)?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll be asked to have an interview. This interview will be a chat, either online using Microsoft Teams, over the phone, or possibly in person if that's convenient for everyone. During the interview, you'll share your experiences and thoughts about living with long COVID or your experiences as a pharmacy staff member.
Later on, some participants might be invited to two workshops. These workshops will bring together different people – like those with long COVID, health professionals, and the research team – to co-design the online training course for pharmacy staff. These workshops could be in person at Keele University or another central location, or online. The study is expected to run from April 2024 to August 2025. Your involvement will mainly be through these interviews and potentially the workshops.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (4)
- School of MedicineApproximateKeele, United Kingdom
- Aston UniversityApproximateBirmingham, United Kingdom
- University of KentApproximateCanterbury, United Kingdom
- Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate EducationCity onlyManchester, United Kingdom
Common questions
What exactly is 'Long COVID'?
Long COVID means having symptoms of COVID-19 that last for four weeks or more after you first got the infection. These symptoms can be different for everyone and can change over time.
Who is running this study?
The study is being led by Keele University, working with Aston University, the University of Kent, and the Centre of Postgraduate Pharmacy Education.
How long will the study take to complete?
The study started in April 2024 and is expected to finish by August 2025.
Will I get paid for taking part?
Yes, all participants will receive a £25 e-voucher to thank them for their time and contributions.
What will happen with the information I share?
Your experiences and insights will be used to help create a new online training course for pharmacy staff, aimed at improving support for people with long COVID.
How to find out more
Tamsin Fisher
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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