Italian Physical Therapists’ Response to the Novel COVID-19 Emergency

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) epidemic is spreading all over the world and it is having an outstanding impact on the Italian National Health Service. 1 The outbreak of novel Covid-19 in Lombardy, Italy, began in late February 2020, although an earlier silent spread is assumed to have occurred. Italy has one of the highest global burdens of Covid-19, with more than 77,635 cases and 12,428 deaths up to March 31, 2020.

A ‘new normal’ following COVID-19 and the economic crisis: Using systems thinking to identify challenges and opportunities in disability, telework, and rehabilitation

“…Rehabilitation is also important for the critical illness and impairments that may follow COVID-19, including as a result of immobility [54,55]. For instance, post-intensive care syndrome may come as a result for adults that survive a stay in the intensive care unit, but which experience new or worsening physical disability, mental health problems, cognitive impairment, or occupational disengagement; all of which might be addressed by rehabilitation practitioners [56][57][58]. Overall, rehabilitation providers can have a vital role for the health system's capacity to move COVID-19 patients on from acute sites to eventual discharge to the community, while reducing any resultant disability [55].…”

“…They may need to take prioritization, clinical reasoning decisions for which patients, under which circumstances, should rehabilitative care be maintained or postponed, given the competing demands, guidelines issued, resources constrains, and different type of risks involved for staff and patients alike (e.g. contracting the COVID-19 versus impairments aggravation, especially the frail elderly) [58,76]. Many rehabilitation professionals need to develop, within a short period of time, the knowledge and skills to deliver care through telehealth technology, with quality and safety requirements and according to a myriad of applicable regulations and reimbursements practices.…”

“…The timing pressure can be challenging. Finally, acute demand for treating COVID-19, especially for respiratory therapists, can be daunting [58].…”

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Physiotherapy Update

“…The real challenge has been responding and understanding how to prepare workplaces and to organize the clinical routines in order to receive potentially infected subjects. The rehabilitation community as well as the other professional health care providers have been called to optimize their clinical practice to face the COVID-19 diffusion [11]. Most countries around the world have seen COVID-19 cases and many are experiencing outbreaks of the disease.…”

Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is Telerehabilitation the Answer?

“…Although this decision underscores the high social responsibility of physical therapists, it also may create a sense of bewilderment-both among patients, who may be living with pain and disability, and among professionals who find their practice limited and their income reduced. 3 The described scenario has promoted the publication of a position statement of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy on the use of telerehabilitation to improve accessibility to rehabilitation care, offering to the community of physical therapists the opportunity to reflect on this new method of care delivery. 4…”