Study Finds Nurse Assistants Face Higher Long COVID Rates Than Doctors

A new occupational study conducted across three hospitals has found that nurse assistants experienced significantly higher rates of long COVID compared with doctors, researchers reported.

Examining workplace disparities

Researchers said the disparity may stem from differences in direct patient contact time, shift patterns, and access to personal protective equipment among different categories of hospital staff.

The study tracked healthcare workers across multiple job categories over an extended period, comparing rates of persistent post-COVID symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog and respiratory issues.

• Nurse assistants reported the highest rates of long COVID among the roles studied
• Doctors reported comparatively lower rates in the same hospitals
• Researchers cited exposure duration and protective equipment access as likely contributing factors

Implications for workplace policy

Labour advocates said the findings should prompt hospitals to review protective equipment allocation and staffing policies for lower-paid support roles.

The study adds to a growing body of research examining the long-term health toll of the pandemic on healthcare workers, particularly those in support and direct-care roles.

Researchers said further studies are needed to determine whether similar disparities exist across a broader range of healthcare settings nationally.