{
  "abstract": "Introduction and Objectives Existing evidence suggests there is an appetite for a structured maintenance programme following Covid rehabilitation to maintain functional ability. 1 The objective of this study was to explore whether, three months on, this perception had changed, and whether maintenance warrants further exploration.Methods Covid rehabilitation completers were invited for a face-to-face visit three months following discharge. During the visit, patients completed objective outcomes (previously reported 2), and a semi-structured interview. Interviews, conducted by a research assistant were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo (V1.6.1), and themes reviewed by two research team members who specialise in qualitative research.Results A total of 19 interviews were conducted (mean age 57.8±7 years; 79% white; 74% women).Three themes were generated (figure 1):1. I’ve got what I need to proceed (with caution)Participants felt they had progressed, had good understanding of their symptoms and how to manage them, and therefore had the confidence to proceed exercising with caution, taking into account their fatigue.2. I’ve found the onward path that works for meParticipants felt motivated to continue exercising in the way they had chosen. Individualised options were selected based on accessibility, what mattered to them, and how it worked alongside their own routine.3. I’ll return, if things changePatients felt symptoms had improved, but accepted they remained variable. They appreciated this may be the case and expressed appetite to return to rehabilitation should things change.Abstract P31 Figure 1Themes with illustrative quotesConclusion Despite rehabilitation completers expressing an appetite for maintenance at point of discharge, three months later, most continued exercising independently, albeit with caution. Participants only felt they would need further input if there was a change to their symptoms, suggesting rehabilitation provided the skills and knowledge for effective onward self-management of Long Covid.References Houchen-Wolloff L, et al. An exploratory survey of maintenance option preferences for post-COVID patients following a rehabilitation programme [abstract]. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2023;207:A2168.Hong A, et al. ‘P28-Incremental and endurance shuttle walk test performance and functional assessment of chronic illness therapy fatigue scale are maintained or improved at 3-months following a 6-week in-person or online covid rehabilitation programme’. Thorax. 2023;78(Suppl 4), A123-A123.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Leicester, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "K Kontou"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Leicester, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "A Hong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Leicester, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "H Drover"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "A Barradell"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "E Chaplin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "E Daynes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Leicester, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "NA Bateman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Leicester, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "J Creese"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK"
      ],
      "name": "L Houchen-Wolloff"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P31 A qualitative exploration of the perception of maintenance needs three months after rehabilitation in patients with long covid",
  "uid": "25911f97-3cad-55e4-b7c2-35db165e0056"
}