Services We Provide
The Post-COVID-19 Program provides comprehensive evaluation and an individualized recovery plan for patients experiencing symptoms of long COVID. Patients will see a medical provider who is experienced in the care of long COVID at their initial visit. Based on your evaluation and shared decision-making, your provider may order further testing (laboratory or imaging), prescribe medication to manage symptoms, or refer you to a rehabilitation specialist, such as a physical therapist or speech-language pathologist. Your provider may also refer you to a specialist within UT Health Austin’s Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute or UT Health Austin’s Rheumatology Clinic. If you need a referral to a specialist outside of UT Health Austin, such as a pulmonologist or an allergist/immunologist, the Post-COVID-19 program can recommend specialists across Austin who have an interest and expertise in long COVID. Every phase of your assessment and all recommendations will be shared with your primary care provider as well as any designated caregivers.
The Post-COVID-19 Program also offers integrated behavioral health through our providers and licensed clinical social worker on our care team. Individual counseling, group classes, and assistance with finding social services are available through the program. Referral to psychiatry is also available.
In partnership with Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin, we also provide patients the opportunity to participate in research to contribute to our understanding of this new illness and develop treatments. Participation in research is optional and may include filling out further questionnaires, providing a blood sample, or joining clinical trials for experimental treatments. Patients will have the opportunity to meet with a research coordinator to discuss their eligibility and interest in participating.
Who is eligible for services provided by the Post-COVID-19 Program?
The Post-COVID-19 Program is available to patients whether their symptoms were mild to moderate or they experienced hospitalization, as we are aware that many COVID-19 patients who recovered from the illness at home may also be experiencing lingering symptoms or disabilities that can be improved through rehabilitation and other therapies. Patients are not required to have a positive COVID-19 test, although our team may reach out to do an initial screening to see if other tests should be performed prior to scheduling an appointment. For your convenience, we offer both telehealth and in-person visits.
Symptoms of long COVID may include, but are not limited to, fatigue, deconditioning, muscle weakness, neuropathy and myopathy, pain, headaches, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, autonomic instability, brain fog/cognitive changes, and mood issues.