REGULATION REPORT synthesis revealed elevations in proinflammatory markers and considerable functional impairment in a subset of individuals .
Conclusions & relevance : A significant proportion of individuals experience persistent fatigue and / or cognitive impairment following resolution of acute COVID-19 . The frequency and debilitating nature of the foregoing symptoms provides the impetus to characterize the underlying neurobiological substrates and how to best treat these phenomena .
Aiyegbusi OL , Hughes SE , Turner G , Rivera SC , McMullan C , Chandan JS , Haroon S , Price G , Davies E , Nirantharakumar K , Sapey E , Calvert MJSymptoms , complications and management of long COVID : a review . TLC Study Group . J R Soc Med . 2021 ; 114 ( 9 ): 428-442 . doi : 10.1177 / 01410768211032850 . Epub 2021 Jul 15
Globally , there are now over 160 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 3 million deaths . While the majority of infected individuals recover , a significant proportion continue to experience symptoms and complications after their acute illness . Patients with ' long COVID ' experience a wide range of physical and mental / psychological symptoms . Pooled prevalence data showed the 10 most prevalent reported symptoms were fatigue , shortness of breath , muscle pain , joint pain , headache , cough , chest pain , altered smell , altered taste and diarrhoea . Other common symptoms were cognitive impairment , memory loss , anxiety and sleep disorders . Beyond symptoms and complications , people with long COVID often reported impaired quality of life , mental health and employment issues . These individuals may require multidisciplinary care involving the long-term monitoring of symptoms , to identify potential complications , physical rehabilitation , mental health and social services support . Resilient healthcare systems are needed to ensure efficient and effective responses to future health challenges .
Sun P . TCM Treatment of the Convalescent Stage of COVID-19 . The Journal of Chinese Medicine . 2022 ; 128 .
Research on coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) has focused on epidemiological and clinical characteristics of confirmed cases and patients discharged from hospital . Diagnosis and treatment protocols have been established for hospitalised patients . However , very little attention has been given to patients during the convalescent period . Although simplified treatment protocols using traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) have been proposed , they do not always accurately reflect the true clinical situation . The convalescent period of COVID-19 is extremely important since it influences the speed and extent of patients ' recovery , and whether they go on to develop ' long COVID '. In TCM terms , incomplete recovery is commonly due to retention of pathogens such as dampness and toxic heat , obstruction of qi and blood , deficiency of Lung and Spleen qi , and deficiency of qi and yin . This article describes how to treat patients during the convalescent stage of COVID-19 with acupuncture and herbal medicine to bring them back to full health .
Regulation Update
Christine Pope
With a new Federal Government elected in May 2022 , the Parliamentary Sitting Calendar has been delayed , which has made it difficult for ATMS to get appointments to lobby for our advocacy positions . Currently , ATMS is lobbying on three critical issues . The first is the situation of Queensland practitioners ’ permission to return to their clinics , in the light of current Public Health Orders . The second is dealing with the Allied Health status of Chinese medicine practitioners . The third is advocating for the finalisation of the NTREAP Review and the return of modality rebates to their rightful place in Private Health Insurance .
ATMS wrote to all the political parties before the May 2022 election to ask them what their position is in regard to Natural Medicine , to get their responses to the three critical matters outlined above , and to explore their positions on vaccine mandates and research funding . Sadly , and deplorably , there were no responses from any of the major political parties .
During the pandemic , ATMS has advocated for practitioners to be able to continue working , or to return to work as soon as possible . ATMS has adopted a pro-choice vaccination policy , which informs our continuing advocacy for ATMS members affected by mandates . The major issue that remains outstanding at this time is Queensland ’ s Public Health Orders , where the emergency powers continue to mandate vaccinations across our healthcare sector . ATMS has had meetings with the Small Business Commissioner and Queensland Health , to advocate for our members to be able to return to face-to-face consultations . We will continue to keep members apprised of these discussions , as the current emergency powers will either expire in late September 2022 or be extended for another 90 days .
The ATMS team are planning to have meetings in Parliament House in the second sitting week of September 2022 , targeting meetings with the new Small Business Minister , the new Health Minister , as well as key cross-benchers . We have also organised briefings with COSBOA and Complementary Medicines Australia ( CMA ), where we have similar advocacy positions .
Finally , ATMS would like to especially thank all members who completed the Workforce Survey , as this data will empower our advocacy positions for our reports and submissions to Government , the Department of Health and key public servants .