It is generally the case that the more severe the illness and the longer the hospital stay and the period in intensive care, the longer the patient takes to recover from COVID-19.

After their time in hospital, patients who have been seriously ill are not always able to cope with everyday life on their own. Many of them need help and support; some have long COVID.

After in-patient treatment in hospital, a period of rehabilitation can follow on to stabilize the patient’s health. The doctor responsible for the patient in hospital and the hospital’s social service (Sozialdienst) can give advice about the options and apply for a period of rehabilitation.

When a patient is not transferred directly to a rehabilitation clinic, the family doctor takes over their care. The hospital providing the patient's acute treatment sends a letter to the family doctor giving comprehensive information about the illness and the examinations and treatments that were carried out in the hospital.

After a stay in hospital, patients are entitled to further treatment and assistive devices depending on their personal needs. The family doctor can coordinate and apply for these.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a leaflet for patients called “Support for Rehabilitation Self-Management after COVID-19-related Illness” which you can download free of charge here. It gives a lot of helpful information for your recovery, such as breathing exercises, brain training, tips on coping with anxiety and mood swings and instructions for physical exercise after leaving hospital.

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