Returning to work is often viewed as a major milestone in recovery. However, for many people living with Long COVID, returning to work does not necessarily mean returning to their previous level of health.
This study by Su and colleagues explored the experiences of 79 adults living with Long COVID who had returned to employment. Participants described fluctuating symptoms, challenges maintaining work and the importance of workplace support and adjustments.
The findings highlight an important distinction between returning to work and being able to remain in work sustainably over time.
Authors: Su H et al. (2026)
Source: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.
Read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-026-10376-w
What does “Mixed-Methods” mean?
The researchers used two approaches:
Surveys to identify common experiences and patterns
Interviews to hear directly from participants about their experiences
Using both methods helped provide a fuller picture of the challenges people faced in remaining in work with Long COVID.
More than 1 in 10 of 1,496 US healthcare personnel reported the same moderate or severe symptom at both three and six months after COVID-19. Read the findings, limitations and what they may mean for SHH-UK readers.
Join SHH-UK’s online support groups for healthcare workers with Long Covid this October and November. Connect, chat and share with others.
A large US study of almost 2,000 children and adolescents found that those meeting the research threshold for probable Long COVID were more likely to experience difficulties with grades, attention and participation with friends.
