in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 23 ,2 02 2 | 16 NOWOPEN What medical experts at the Post COVID-19 Syn- drome Clinic -- located at Oakville Trafalgar Memo- rial Hospital -- have come to realize, over time, is the extent of the diversity of symptoms experienced by these patients, who no lon- ger test positive for the vi- rus but still suffer from some of its effects. Also, the clinic, located in the hospital's Outpa- tient Rehabilitation area, has found that patients benefit most from treat- ments that offer long- term symptom manage- ment, said Dr. Greg Thom- son, medical director, Re- hab, Geriatrics, Transi- tions and Integrated Care, Halton Healthcare. Since opening last June, the clinic has treated 20 pa- tients ranging in age from early 20s to 76 years of age -- most being middle aged -- and an equal number of men and women. "Patients enrolled in the clinic have specific issues identified for treatment in- cluding chronic fatigue, memory problems, inabili- ty to multi-task, muscle weakness, shortness of breath and joint pain. That said, we do see a varied set of symptoms, with brain health and symptoms re- lated to it being among the most common," added Jody Strik, director, Transi- tions, Integrated Care and Rehab Clinics, Halton Healthcare. The "connected team approach" provided, means patients have had access to neuro rehabilita- tion-trained physiothera- pists, occupational thera- pists and speech language pathologists, among oth- ers, said Strik. "We've also come to see patients appear in two sep- arate presentations, or groups," said Thomson. "There are those with crit- ical illness syndrome who were hospitalized for CO- VID, and another group of those (who) weren't hospi- talized, but still require a lot of specialized care." Regardless of the pa- tient's clinical background, however, the importance of multidisciplinary support is integral to address the very diverse needs of these patients, added Thomson. Treatment is based on a multidisciplinary inter- vention program devel- oped by an Alberta Health Services task force and in- cludes exercise training, education and behavioural modification designed to improve the physical, cog- nitive, psychological and social symptoms. "I think where we've made the biggest impact is in validating that what they're experiencing is very real," said Strik. Patients have been em- powered with treatment, as well as ways they can self- manage their symptoms in the longer-term, she said. "We've been able to give them a broad multidisci- plinary approach and help them feel and function bet- ter," said Strik. Going forward, a lot more evidence-based inter- ventions will be needed to fully support patients with Post COVID-19 Syndrome, said Thomson. The Halton Healthcare outpatient clinic supports the treatment of patients from local communities, however, it has received in- quiries and referrals from as far away as Sarnia and Barrie, said Strik. POST COVID CLINIC VALIDATES DIVERSITY OF PATIENT SYMPTOMS KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com NEWS Referrals to the Post COVID-19 Syndrome clinic are coming from as far away as Sarnia and Barrie. Graham Paine/Metroland "I think where we've made the biggest impact is in validating that what they're experiencing is very real." - Jody Strik, director, Transitions, Integrated Care and Rehab Clinics, Halton Healthcare