Graphic with the whn.global logo at top left. Background photo shows a healthcare worker in teal scrubs sitting on the floor in a hospital corridor, leaning against a wall and wearing a white respirator mask and hair cover. Overlaid text reads: “Long COVID is reshaping healthcare work, and workers are paying the price” Smaller text reads: “A 2025 qualitative study published in BMC Health Services Research examined how Long COVID affects healthcare workers professionally, emotionally, and structurally.” Footer text reads: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.”

Graphic with the whn.global logo at top left. Dark background with a thin yellow border around a large text box. Main text reads: “What happens when healthcare workers develop Long COVID — and are expected to keep the system running anyway?” Smaller text reads: “Using in-depth interviews conducted over 14 months, researchers explored:” Bullet points read: • “how long COVID alters professional identity” • “how work expectations collide with symptoms” • “what support exists” Final text reads: “Participants described navigating Long COVID without clear guidance, while still feeling pressure to perform.” Footer text reads: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.”

Graphic with the whn.global logo at top left. Dark background. Large quote reads: “You just have to get on with it… Nothing else you can do.” Smaller text reads: “Healthcare workers repeatedly described a sense of obligation to keep working, even when symptoms were severe.” Body text reads: “At work, Long COVID forced reduced hours, role changes, remote work, or phased returns. Flexible arrangements helped some, but support was uneven.” Final line reads: “Some felt genuinely supported — others described accommodations as “a Band-Aid.”” Footer text reads: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.”

Graphic with the whn.global logo at top left. Background is a grayscale close-up of a healthcare worker adjusting a respirator mask. Headline text reads: “Healthcare workers are still paying the price of repeated exposure to COVID.” Text reads: “Using in-depth interviews conducted over 14 months, researchers explored:” Bullet points read: • “preventing COVID infections through proven measures” • “recognizing long COVID as an occupational health issue” • “ending stigma” • “protecting workers without punishment” Closing text reads: “Long COVID is not an individual failure. It’s a systems failure, and it’s solvable.” Footer text reads: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.”