EXPERIENCES OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS WORKING IN NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to identify the experiences of physical therapists working in neurological rehabilitation during the COVID-19 process. Methods: The draft survey was created by two physical therapists working in the field of neurological rehabilitation, and Lawshe method was used to assess its content validity. The survey included demographic information and questions regarding clinical practice, and psychological states. The final survey was administered via Google forms. Only physical therapists working in the field of neurology were involved in the study. Results: The content validity ratio of the draft survey was found to be 0.745. According to this survey, the number of patients per week decreased significantly during the first 3 months and normalization process (p<0.01). Usage of tele-health applications significantly increased during the pandemic/normalization period (p<0.01). The mean score of physical therapists’ anxiety about their family's health was 7.72±2.39 (min=0, max=10). The study showed that working conditions changed, number of patients decreased (p<0.01), some precautions were taken, and the use of tele-health applications increased in clinics during pandemic period (p<0.01). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on neurological rehabilitation services according to this study. As a result, methods to provide the most appropriate treatment without endangering patients and physiotherapists and policies to be followed in extraordinary situations need to be developed.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Experience
• Neurorehabilitation
• Pandemic
• Physical Therapy

NÖROLOJİK REHABİLİTASYON ALANINDA ÇALIŞAN FİZYOTERAPİSTLERİN COVİD-19 SÜRECİNDEKİ DENEYİMLERİ

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, nörolojik rehabilitasyon alanında çalışan fizyoterapistlerin COVID-19 sürecindeki deneyimlerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yöntemler: Taslak anket nörolojik rehabilitasyon alanında çalışan iki fizyoterapist tarafından oluşturuldu ve bu oluşturulan taslak anketin kapsam geçerliliğini değerlendirmek için Lawshe yöntemi kullanıldı. Anket, demografik bilgi, klinik uygulama ve psikolojik durumları talep eden soruları içeriyordu. Son olarak oluşturulan anket Google formlar aracılığıyla uygulandı. Çalışmaya sadece nöroloji alanında çalışan fizyoterapistler dahil edildi. Sonuç: Taslak anketin kapsam geçerlilik oranı 0,745 olarak bulundu. Anket sonuçlarına göre haftalık hasta sayısı ilk 3 ayda ve normalleşme sürecinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı şekilde azaldı (p<0,01). Pandemi/normalleşme döneminde tele-sağlık uygulamalarının kullanımı önemli ölçüde arttı (p<0,01). Ailelerinin sağlığı ile ilgili ortalama kaygı puanı 7,72±2,39 (min=0, maks=10) idi. Çalışma, pandemi döneminde çalışma koşullarının değiştiğini, hasta sayısının azaldığını, bazı önlemlerin alındığını ve tele-sağlık uygulamalarının kullanımının arttığını gösterdi. Tartışma: Bu çalışmaya göre COVID-19 pandemisinin nörolojik rehabilitasyon hizmetleri üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olmuştur. Sonuç olarak, hastaları ve fizyoterapistleri tehlikeye atmadan en doğru tedaviyi sunma yöntemlerinin ve olağan dışı durumlarda izlenecek politikaların geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• Deneyim
• Nörorehabilitasyon
• Pandemi
• Fizyoterapi

Kaynakça

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