Public Health in the Rockies 2026

Background: Long COVID impacts thousands of Coloradans, causing a wide range of chronic symptoms requiring comprehensive care. Primary care is typically the first point of health system contact for patients experiencing Long COVID symptoms. As part of the Colorado Multidisciplinary Translation Network (CO-MTN) project, we surveyed primary care clinicians and staff from 17 different practices to understand their perspectives on provision of Long COVID care.

Methods: Data were collected via REDCap and descriptively analyzed. Survey questions included perceived importance of, satisfaction with, barriers to, and confidence in ability to provide Long COVID care. We also assessed discrimination and stigma towards Long COVID patients using the Medical Condition Regard scale.

Results: We received survey responses from 249 primary care clinicians and staff (75% response rate). Most (69%) indicated they thought that primary care practices should provide treatment and symptom management for patients with Long COVID. When asked how satisfied they were with their practice’s ability to help patients manage Long COVID symptoms, 42% reported satisfaction while half reported that it depended on the patient or that they didn’t know. Frequently cited concerns regarding provision of Long COVID care included lack of workflows, gaps in clinician knowledge, and limited time. Nearly half of clinicians reported low confidence in their ability to provide high-quality Long COVID symptom management. Few respondents answered the Medical Condition Regard scale questions in ways that strongly indicated discrimination or stigma towards patients with Long COVID. However, only 39% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “working with patients like this is satisfying.”

Implications: There is room for improvement in primary care teams’ abilities and capacities to care for Long COVID patients. The CO-MTN project is now implementing a variety of supports for primary care practices to address these gaps.