24/02/2026
Congratulations to Dr Jacqui Epps! 🙌🏼🎉
UNE researcher and GP Dr Jacqueline Epps has been named a Chief Investigator on a $3 million national research project to transform Long COVID care in primary care settings across Australia, including rural and remote communities.
The new project – SAGE (Scalable Allied Health and General Practitioner Responses to Long-COVID in primary care) – will:
▪️Compare multidisciplinary, symptom-focused rehabilitation (physical therapy + psychological support) with self-directed management
▪️Help upskill GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals in diagnosing and managing Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)
▪️Test whether this model can work equitably for priority populations, including those in rural and remote communities
“General Practitioners face real challenges with Long COVID – studies show only a small minority feel very confident in diagnosing it, yet the vast majority want to learn more,” Dr Epps said.
“The outcomes from SAGE will provide comprehensive support, education and training to upskill GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals, as well as patients themselves, in the diagnosis and multidisciplinary care of PASC.”
Based in the New England region, Dr Epps will lead recruitment and training of local rural clinicians in partnership with the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, while UNE medical students gain the chance to learn within real-world research tackling a major rural health challenge.
If proven cost-effective, this scalable model could be embedded into primary care funding nationally, improving Long COVID care for all Australians – not just those in cities.
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