Physiotherapy practices when treating patients with COVID-19 during a pandemic: A survey study
Anthony Trojman1, Judith Hough2, Julie Hides1,3, Louise Gustafsson1,3, Orlando Flores4, Jennifer Paratz1,3 1School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia2School of Allied Health, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, Queensland, Australia3Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Nathan, Queensland, Australia4School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The challenges physiotherapists experienced when treating patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic were unprecedented worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine these challenges along with their management and identify the personal and professional effects on physiotherapists working at this time.
Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey was distributed to physiotherapists from around the world who were clinically managing patients with COVID-19.
Results: The majority of the 204 participants worked in an intensive care unit (ICU) (72%) during the first wave of COVID-19. Thirty-two percent of clinicians in ICU reported that this was not their area of work prior to the pandemic. Most participants were either a senior physiotherapist (39%) or a consultant/specialist physiotherapist (29%). The largest barrier to treating patients with COVID-19 was a lack of ICU trained staff (70%). Thirty percent of participants managed ten or more patients at once with a median (interquartile range) number of hours worked per shift being 12 (8). Participants were required to perform activities outside of their typical work duties (83%), such as proning patients (55%) and adjusting ventilator settings (52%). Most participants used methods of treatment that were not recommended when treating patients with COVID-19, despite 90% of participants being aware of physiotherapy specific guidelines.
Conclusions: There was a need for specialist training and availability of experienced cardiorespiratory physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clear guidelines should be established as early as possible to ensure optimal management of patients and the safety of physiotherapy staff.
Biography
Anthony Trojman is an early career researcher undertaking a PhD at the School of Health Sciences and Social Work at Griffith University. He embarked on his PhD journey during the height of the pandemic to investigate the physiotherapy management of patients with COVID-19, the challenges of conducting physiotherapy research during the pandemic, and the long-term biopsychosocial outcomes in patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
He also works clinically as a senior physiotherapist at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane across adult intensive care, acute emergency, and the neonatal intensive care unit, and as a sessional lecturer in physiotherapy at Griffith University.