This rapid review aims to identify the best measures for supporting people with long-term conditions (LTCs) during national emergencies, including but not limited to the COVID-19 crisis. The review concludes that disruption of care, diversion of healthcare resources, and interruptions to medical supplies can all impact patients with long term conditions (LTCs) during national emergencies. Some LTCs may be further exacerbated by increased stress and changes in diet and activity patterns. The data does not rule out any LTCs as not being at risk of neglect, but particularly highlights cardiovascular disease, diabetes, older people and people in deprived areas as being at increased risk. Suggestions for mitigation strategies can be grouped into planning and response phases, and broadly focus on collaboration, communication, and continuity planning.
Supporting people with long-term conditions (LTCs) during national emergencies. Oxford, Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, 2020, online.
English / Europe / United Kingdom