Physiotherapists have crucial role to help rehabilitate COVID-19 patients

Sep 13, 2020 News

Under the theme: “Rehabilitation after COVID-19”, World Physiotherapy Day was observed last week Tuesday, September 8 – a day designated to its observance annually. This day serves as an occasion for physiotherapists around the world to stand together in cohesion and solidarity to raise awareness about the profession and the impact it has on helping people achieve optimum functionality.

World Physiotherapy Day was observed on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.

Taking into consideration the COVID-19 theme of this year’s observance, it was noted in a press release issued as part of the observance last week, “This virus has impacted the global community on insurmountable levels and will be something that will be on the forefront of all plans for the foreseeable future.”
With the advent of this new norm, the physiotherapy community, the statement noted, has risen to the challenge to contribute their expertise to help improve the quality of life of the persons who would have suffered from COVID-19 while being on the frontline with their colleagues.
The role of physiotherapists in supporting and empowering individuals to self-manage their rehabilitation, where appropriate and able, is important at any time and particularly so when access is restricted or service delivery changed, the statement added.
It also highlighted that individual rehabilitation needs may be specific to the consequence of COVID-19 for otherwise healthy people, such as recovery from the consequences of long term ventilation, immobilization and deconditioning, including related impairments that may be respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal or otherwise.
Early reports highlight that the rehabilitation needs of people with severe COVID-19 exist during the acute, sub-acute and long-term phases of the disease. As such, physiotherapists are vital to the rehabilitation efforts in intensive care units (ICUs), hospital wards, step-down facilities and in the community. Physiotherapists currently work in the COVID-19 ICU and, to date, over 50 patients have been seen at the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation.
“The patients have had improvement to their lung function through breathing techniques and airway clearance techniques when necessary. Other treatments include range of motion and mobility exercises,” the statement added.
It went on to stress the importance of preparing for the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing rehabilitation needs associated with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and other severe conditions. Studies, the statement continued, are indicating relatively long lengths of stay in the ICU units for patients with COVID-19, with immobilization in the prone position. “They describe specific problems in the post-acute phase such as severe muscle weakness, fatigue, joint stiffness, dysphagia, (neuro)-psychological problems and impaired mobility and functioning, highlighting how crucial physiotherapists are in early and ongoing rehabilitation,” the statement added.
The importance of coordinated rehabilitation approaches for patients with PICS, as part of the COVID-19 rehabilitation pathways, it noted, emphasizes a multi-professional approach involving relevant health professionals and service providers across sectors to support individuals, and families.
Despite the adverse effects of COVID-19, providing patient rehabilitation services had remained a top priority. Moreover, social distancing has become the norm. With that in mind rehabilitation departments in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana have operated under strict protocols to ensure the safety of both the patients and professionals.
Staffers, it was also noted, are working on rotations with staggered work shifts and are required to wear PPEs at all times. Also patients are not allowed to enter the outpatient facility without a mask and importantly too, “all patients are screened before they enter the department.”
Even as Guyana observed World Physiotherapy Day, two long standing stalwarts in the profession – Mrs. Sultana Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Paula Alexander – were recognized for their contributions.

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