Joint patient and clinician priority setting to identify 10 key research questions regarding the long-term sequelae of COVID-19

Given the large numbers of people infected and high rates of ongoing morbidity, research is clearly required to address the needs of adult survivors of COVID-19 living with ongoing symptoms (long COVID). To help direct resource and research efforts, we completed a research prioritisation process incorporating views from adults with ongoing symptoms of COVID-19, carers, clinicians and clinical researchers. The final top 10 research questions were agreed at an independently mediated workshop and included: identifying underlying mechanisms of long COVID, establishing diagnostic tools, understanding trajectory of recovery and evaluating the role of interventions both during the acute and persistent phases of the illness.

Automated summary

Given the large numbers of people infected and high rates of ongoing morbidity, it is necessary to conduct research to address the needs of adult survivors of COVID-19 living with ongoing symptoms (long COVID). A research prioritisation process was completed, incorporating views from adults with ongoing symptoms of COVID-19, carers, clinicians, and clinical researchers, to direct resource and research efforts. The top 10 research questions, identified through an independently mediated workshop, include understanding the underlying mechanisms, developing diagnostic tools, investigating the trajectory of recovery, and evaluating interventions during acute and persistent phases of the illness.