Here, we emphasize the debilitating effects on daily life of post covid cognitive impairment, from the patient perspective. In this, we will gain deeper insight into the post-acute illness phase of COVID-19 to formulate more compassionate, supportive, and efficacious treatment protocols.

Post Covid-19 acute infection neurological impairment has been shown to be a long term effect of the disease. 18 months after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 230 million cases worldwide, it has never been more critical to understand such long term effects. 

46 Patients in a COVID-19 Remote Patient Monitoring Program (Precision Recovery: Mount Sinai Health System) were interviewed regarding their experience with COVID-19. Patients were asked about their experiences navigating COVID-19 diagnoses, the health care system, and their recovery process. Patients were not pointedly asked about cognitive impairment post covid and all mentions were unprompted. References to post-cognitive impairment were analyzed for statistical and qualitative significance. 

20/46 (43%) of patients reported cognitive impairment after the acute phase of their covid illness. 8/20 of these individuals (40%) were self identified long-haul covid patients. Patients identified three patterns of impairment: (1) memory; (2) attention; and (3) mental stamina. These new cognitive deficits impacted daily life in four key ways: (1) failure to adhere to daily responsibilities; (2) necessitated decrease in employment responsibilities; (3) insecurity in social interactions; and (4) development of coping strategies. 

Post covid cognitive impairment significantly impacted both acute and long-haul covid patients. It is therefore critical to acknowledge this potential long-term effect as an outcome for anyone who experiences Covid-19 for improved understanding of patient illness experience and development of covid-19 treatment post-acute infection.