International perspectives on Long Covid: An ERASMUS+ research stay in Ireland
As part of her work as a research assistant (pre-doc) at the Research Centre for Transitional Psychiatry at KL Krems, Marie Celine Dorczok MSc had the opportunity to complete an ERASMUS+-funded staff mobility (research internship) at Beacon Hospital in Dublin from 2 to 15 March 2025. Her stay was organised together with the KL International Office.
In Dublin, the researcher was part of the team of the Post-Covid Clinic of the Respiratory Department under the direction of Prof Seamus Linnane and Dr Estella Ogbebor. Her main tasks were to support a qualitative study of the impact of Long Covid on older patients, particularly in terms of their psychological distress and quality of life. In this context, Marie Celine Dorczok conducted interviews with patients, analysed data and actively participated in everyday clinical practice.
"One particularly valuable aspect of my stay was the close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of doctors, medical staff and researchers," reports the researcher. "In addition to the scientific exchange, I was also able to gain practical insights into patient care in the Irish healthcare system. The first steps were also taken towards a future publication and international research collaboration between Krems and Dublin."
In addition to the research, there was also time to explore Dublin - including the impressive coastal landscapes and typical Irish hospitality. Marie Celine Dorczok summarises: "My stay was an enriching experience that not only opened up valuable perspectives for me professionally, but also personally."
Her thanks go above all to her hosts Prof. Seamus Linnane and Dr Estella Ogbebor in Dublin as well as Karl Landsteiner Private University - in particular Elke Anzinger MSc from KL's International Office and Dr Verena Steiner-Hofbauer, Head of the Transition Psychiatry Research Centre at KL.
