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AAPM&R is Calling for a Comprehensive National Plan to Address the Needs of Millions Suffering from Long COVID

According to two publications from the Journal of the American Medical Association, ten to thirty percent of individuals who had COVID-19 reported at least one persistent symptom up to six months after the virus left their bodies. That means 3 to 10 million Americans are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which are varied and ongoing, including neurological challenges, cognitive problems such as brain fog, shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, and mobility issues.

In 2021, AAPM&R called on President Joe Biden and Congress to gear up for the next coronavirus crisis by preparing and implementing a comprehensive national plan focused on meeting the needs of millions of individuals suffering from the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, and help them regain quality of life and return to being active members of their communities. The plan must include a commitment to three major components:

  • Resources to build necessary infrastructure to meet this crisis
  • Equitable access to care for patients
  • Research to advance medical understanding of Long COVID

PM&R physicians are uniquely qualified to help guide the multidisciplinary effort needed to develop a plan for this crisis. As a specialty, physiatrists are investigators, team leaders and problem solvers. PM&R physicians see the whole patient AND the whole picture of the rehabilitation ecosystem. Physiatrists are exactly what this crisis needs. Learn more about our Multidisciplinary PASC Collaborative, launched in March 2021, which is working on quality improvement initiatives.

AAPM&R Advocacy, Healthcare Collaborations and Partnerships, and Customized Resources to Support PM&R During This Crisis

AAPM&R is working to ensure PM&R is part of the national conversation about healthcare amidst COVID-19 and advocating for the federal support, legislation, regulation relief and resources that physiatrists need now. One way we are doing this is through our partnerships and collaborations with other specialty societies. The Academy continuously works to represent PM&R through these collaborations, and it is through these partnerships that we are able to discuss and share a variety of resources with you that you critically need.

Stay Up-to-Date

NEW: Two AAPM&R Webinars Next Week on Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis

Mar 28, 2020

AAPM&R is supporting members by creating timely, needed resources, collaborating across health care, and highlighting the best education and news that is applicable to you and your PM&R practice right now. A series of webinars on various topics related to the current crisis are currently in development, with the first two taking place next week:

Lessons Learned: How to Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis from the Inpatient Setting

Tuesday, March 31 at 7 pm ET/6 pm CT

Faculty: Michelle S. Gittler, MD, FAAPMR; Peter C. Esselman, MD, FAAPMR; Steven R. Flanagan, MD, FAAPMR; and Lydia L. McNeary, MD, FAAPMR

Lessons Learned: How to Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis from the Outpatient Setting

Wednesday, April 1 at 7 pm ET/6 pm CT

Faculty: Michelle S. Gittler, MD, FAAPMR; Matthew J. Grierson, MD, FAAPMR; Andre Panagos, MD, FAAPMR

These two webinars are included with your membership benefits and will focus on:

  • Processes put in place because of COVID-19
  • Processes that were changed because of COVID-19
  • Staffing and supply management issues
  • Telehealth/telemedicine

Both webinars are designed so participants can hear and learn from those located in areas that were impacted early on in the crisis. These will be one-hour panel/round table discussions, giving each speaker time to present their situation and then there will be time for open Q&A.

Looking for resources besides webinars? We have new and repurposed educational content that is being prioritized for you, including telehealth updates, legislative and regulatory updates, how to take care of yourself and your health, and much more. As we build this repository of content, they will be accessible here. We will alert you when new resources are available.

Content is being added daily to our Physiatrist Member Support and Resource Center – including new sections on telemedicine, regulation changes, wellness, and other resources for your practice setting.