Experiences of healthcare providers with long COVID in India using a qualitative approach

Abstract Objectives Long COVID, characterized by persistent and multisystem symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, poses major challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. As a rapidly evolving health concern, it requires interdisciplinary strategies; however, limited evidence exists on how healthcare providers perceive and navigate this emerging condition. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals from diverse specialties, including both allopathic and AYUSH practitioners involved in the care of Long COVID patients. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two researchers independently coded transcripts using NVivo 15, and themes were developed through iterative discussion. The sample size was guided by data saturation, with a total of 31 interviews conducted from October 2024 to June 2025. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Amity University (AUUP/IEC/MAY/2023/3). Results Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Multisystem Clinical Manifestations of Long COVID: highlighting its diverse and persistent symptoms across respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and other systems; (2) Psychological and Social Impact of Long COVID: reflecting the burden of anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and social or occupational disruptions faced by patients; and (3) Challenges in Managing Long COVID: emphasizing diagnostic uncertainty in the absence of standardized definitions or biomarkers, overlap with pre-existing non-communicable diseases, and difficulties in differentiating Long COVID from vaccine-related concerns. Symptom recognition was largely comparable across systems of medicine. Conclusions Healthcare providers perceive Long COVID as a complex and evolving condition that demands improved ethical clinical guidance, standardized care protocols, and system-level strategies to strengthen preparedness. The insights from this study underscore the urgent need for greater awareness, multidisciplinary approaches, and policy support to improve Long COVID care in practice.