Following the great interest in March 2025, the interdisciplinary training course "People affected by Long COVID – how can professionals help (better)?" will be offered again in September 2025 at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). The modular online series is aimed at professionals from the fields of social work, healthcare, education, psychotherapy, KESB, IV and related areas – as well as those affected themselves.
Around 400,000 people in Switzerland live with Long COVID or ME/CFS. Many of them – particularly those severely affected by ME/CFS – not only experience physical limitations, but also struggle with social isolation, professional exclusion and a lack of social recognition. This is precisely where the training comes in: It provides in-depth knowledge of the clinical pictures and enables participants to provide psychosocial support in everyday life, work and family.
What can participants expect?
The training consists of four consecutive online modules of 2 hours each. Module 1 lays the foundation for the other topics with basic medical knowledge and an introduction to pacing. Modules 2 to 4 focus on psychological, socio-legal issues and dealing with affected children and adolescents. The content is practical, interactive and designed by experienced specialists from the fields of medicine, psychotherapy, law, Spitex and school.
Module overview:
Module 1: Medical basics on the clinical picture of Long COVID and ME/CFS, symptomatic treatment and practical experience will be presented by Dr. Maja Strasser. The module is supplemented by an introduction to pacing by physiotherapist Flurina Schai.
Module 2: Natascha Vitas addresses the psychological consequences of Long COVID and ME/CFS and the psychological care of adults with Long Covid. Dr. Cornelia Rüegger focusses on the social consequences of Long COVID and ME/CFS and psycho-social care approaches, work (re)integration and barriers.
Module 3: Lawyer Sebastian Lorentz presents the case law to date in relation to Long COVID, expert opinions and disability degree calculations. In addition, Nicole Spillmann from Spitex discusses the possibilities and limits of psycho-social outpatient care for those affected.
Module 4: In the last module of the series, Nadine Herren and Natascha Kunert-Möller discuss care for children and young people with Long COVID & ME/CFS
All modules will take place online on Thursdays from September 4 to 25, 2025. Participation is flexible – individual modules or all modules can be booked according to your interests. The cost contribution is CHF 90 per module.
The registration deadline is July 31, 2025.
Why is it worth taking part?
Anyone who works in practice with people affected by Long COVID knows the complexity of support. This training provides confidence in dealing with stress intolerance, fatigue, legal hurdles and academic and professional challenges. In addition to in-depth specialist knowledge, it offers space for exchange, reflection and practical action plans.
For registration and further information:
