Exploring the Psychosocial Impact of Long Covid: Coproduction of a Self-Management Tool for People Living with Long Covid

Background: Long Covid presents significant psychosocial challenges, including anxiety, depression, stigma and physical and neurological challenges that impact well-being. Current support systems often emphasise medical rehabilitation, with limited attention to the broader psychosocial needs of individuals.
Aims: 1). To coproduce a self-management tool for people with long covid which addresses the psychosocial impact. 2). To promote understanding of the experiences and needs of people living with long-covid. 3). To enhance professional practice and public awareness of the psychosocial impact of long covid.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six people living with long covid, exploring the psychosocial impact of long covid. A further group of individuals with long covid formed a coproduction group and used an existing self-management tool for long-term conditions, MyLifeTool, for one month. Over three workshops, the coproduction group reflected on their experiences of using MyLifeTool and the findings from the interviews to adapt MyLifeTool. They coproduced an infographic and dissemination event to raise professional and public awareness of the psychosocial impact of long covid and explore opportunities to better address the psychosocial support needs of people with long covid.
Results: Interview data coproduction group reflections highlighted the wide range of unpredictable symptoms people with long covid experience. They welcomed the person-centred, strengths-based approach to the self-management offered by MyLifeTool.
Conclusions: By prioritising lived experiences and fostering collaboration, this project addressed critical gaps in psychosocial support for people living with long covid. The adapted MyLifeTool and coproduced infographic offer practical steps toward a more holistic, person-centred approach.