Millions of Americans Suffering from Persistent COVID Symptoms Lack Access to Quality Healthcare.
For Jennifer Hooper, 56, and Charlie McCone, 35, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more than just a global health crisis – it’s also introduced a complex and debilitating long-term illness that defies diagnosis and treatment.
According to the CDC, an estimated 17 million adults in the United States are affected by long COVID, characterized by symptoms persisting for at least three months. However, doctors’ confidence in diagnosing and treating long COVID remains low, with only four percent of physicians feeling confident in their ability to treat it.
One major hurdle is that long COVID may not be a single condition, but rather an overlap of complications from the virus itself or other infections. Research into the condition is still in its infancy, making it challenging for doctors to find effective treatments.
Hooper and McCone are among millions of patients struggling to access quality healthcare due to lengthy wait times and lack of confidence among physicians. Hooper was scheduled for an appointment at a specialized clinic but has been waiting since October for a spot that won’t be available until September, highlighting the demand outpacing capacity.
Dr. Hector Bonilla, co-director of the Stanford PACS clinic, acknowledges the shortage of doctors specializing in long COVID and the need for education on how to diagnose and treat it. He emphasizes the importance of rigorous clinical trials before prescribing medications, but also stresses the need for patients with chronic illnesses to participate in trials.
The situation is dire, with some patients giving up on healthcare altogether. Paige Morrisey, 27, turned to an online group for support after being misdiagnosed and mistreated by a neurologist who saw her as a research subject rather than a patient.
A pressing need exists for more clinics specializing in long COVID and education for general practitioners on how to help these patients. Dr. Jaime Seltzer, a researcher at Stanford Medicine, emphasizes the importance of training primary care physicians to diagnose chronic illnesses like long COVID.
Source: https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/16/bay-area-long-covid