There have been tons of columns written about COVID-19 and its multifaceted list of symptoms. Less about what happens next. Sahlgrenska Science Park and the Inn2Health healthcare collaboration gave Sirona the important task of analyzing the rehabilitation needs of COVID-19 patients and mapping the area. This is what we came up with!
COVID-19 has created entirely new needs in Swedish healthcare. By the beginning of November, over 134,000 Swedes had been confirmed infected with the virus. Rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients has thus been identified as the next big challenge for healthcare. Sahlgrenska Science Park and the Inn2Health healthcare collaboration gave Sirona the important task of analyzing the rehabilitation needs of COVID-19 patients, focusing on the Västra Götaland region, and mapping the opportunities and challenges that exist. A starting point in the work to facilitate and streamline recovery in the region.
As the complications associated with COVID-19 are numerous, it is not only people who need help to get back to normal life who are hospitalized in intensive care. Post-COVID-19 patients present with a range of symptoms such as fatigue, oxygenation problems and mental health problems.
- In order to meet the need for rehabilitation in the Västra Götaland region, we were commissioned to conduct a needs analysis and a comprehensive survey in the area. We are very happy and proud that Sirona was awarded this contract," says Britta Stenson, manager at Sirona.
The needs assessment was conducted through interviews with healthcare professionals and a sample of post-COVID-19 patients. This was done to get a broad picture of how rehabilitation works today. The aim was also to find out how the problems of COVID-19 patients differ from those of patients with other viral infections.
The mapping exercise in the field of rehabilitation consists of four parts in total. The first was to analyze relevant research and the second was an environmental analysis. Sirona compared rehabilitation in the Västra Götaland region with other regions (Stockholm and Skåne). The third part of the mapping included a report on business offers in the form of services and products for rehabilitation aids. Everything from apps to physical exercise equipment was examined. Finally, Sirona looked at whether there are any business offers outside the area that could be relevant for the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients. Virtual reality and yoga were two alternative therapies that were looked into.
What did you find out?
- A key insight was that coordination between different care providers needed to be improved. Specialist care reported high volumes of patients, while primary care rehabilitation was surprised that they had not seen more. It also emerged that brain fatigue is a major and intractable problem for post-COVID-19 patients. What became most clear was that there is a lack of knowledge about how to best rehabilitate this group. The results will be presented at the Cross Collaboration Day, a digital seminar, on December 2.
What will be the outcome?
- It is hoped that the issues raised in the report will help to develop the field of care so that recovery can be both faster and easier. Knowledge of the problem is key to successful management. We look forward to helping more regions with similar analytical work, with clear recommendations and next steps," concludes Britta Stenson.
[/gt_module_text][gt_module_text admin_label="" overlay_link="" module_link="" module_classes="gt-single-sidebar-cta-module gt-cta-green" module_id=""]Sahlgrenska Science Park and Cross Collaboration Day
Sahlgrenska Science Park is an open arena focusing on innovation and growth in life sciences. Its main mission is to (with a focus on West Sweden) actively contribute to:
1. strengthen competitiveness in life science
2. collaborate between companies, healthcare, the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers
3. develop start-ups and established companies.
Register here for the Inn2Health Cross Collaboration Day on December 2, 2020 to share the results and discuss this important topic.
Sahlgrenska Science Park is owned by Region Västra Götaland, Business Region Göteborg, University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology and the City of Mölndal.
