{
  "abstract": "Objective Measuring the utilisation of healthcare services in children and adolescents with symptoms suggesting post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) until their presentation at specialised outpatient clinics (SOC).Methods 117 patients (aged 4–17 years) with symptoms suggesting PCC were recruited for study participation in SOCs of the comprehensive care network ‘Post-COVID Kids Bavaria’ for children and adolescents with PCC in Bavaria, Germany. Information on healthcare utilisation from their initial SARS-CoV-2 infection until presentation at an SOC was collected via telephone interviews with parents.Results Participants had a median of 6.5 physician contacts (Q1–Q3: 3.8–11.5), mainly in person (99.1%, n=116) and rarely used telemedicine (21.4%, n=25). Contacts were mainly with paediatricians (72.6%, n=85), followed by general practitioners (46.2%, n=50). Non-pharmacological measures were used by 56 participants (47.9 %), with therapies by Heilpraktiker and osteopaths being used most commonly (30.8%, n=36). 76 participants (65.0%) were prescribed medications, and 71 (60.7%) used non-prescribed medications or supplements.Conclusions Children and adolescents with PCC symptoms frequently consult healthcare services, often self-initiated measures provided by Heilpraktiker and osteopaths, until their presentation at an SOC. This may be due to unclear care pathways. Paediatricians and general practitioners are key providers, making their expertise and strong connections with SOCs essential for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Mara Koenig"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich Faculty of Medicine, Munich, Germany",
        "Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Chiara Rathgeb"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Maja Pawellek"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Theresa Bauer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Martin Alberer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany",
        "Division of Pediatric Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, KJF Clinic Josefinum, Augsburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Silvia Stojanov"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Cordula Warlitz"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Uta Behrends"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Michael Kabesch"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Stephan Gerling"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Christian Apfelbacher"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany",
        "Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Susanne Brandstetter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Which healthcare services did children and adolescents use before presentation at specialised outpatient clinics for post-COVID-19 condition? Descriptive findings from the Post-COVID Kids Bavaria study",
  "uid": "84fb3c94-b751-520e-adce-518d51175841"
}