Database of Health Workforce Innovations

662

Title

Physiotherapy Management for COVID- 19 in the Acute Hospital Setting

Brief Description of Challenge

There is a need for increased health workforce capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. To respond to this need, workforce planning and preparation needs to be outlined.

Brief Description of Innovation

A group of international experts in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy came together to rapidly prepare a clinical practice guideline for physiotherapy management of COVID-19.

This document has been prepared to provide information to physiotherapists and acute care healthcare facilities about the potential role of physiotherapy in the management of hospital- admitted patients with confirmed and/or suspected COVID-19.

The recommendations for physiotherapists are outlined below and focus on the specific health questions of this guideline:
• SECTION 1: Workforce planning and preparation including screening to determine indications for physiotherapy.
• SECTION 2: Delivery of physiotherapy interventions including both respiratory and mobilisation / rehabilitation as well as PPE requirements.

It is recognised that physiotherapy practices vary across the world. When utilising this guideline, the scope of practice within the local context should be considered.

Innovation – Increase Numbers

Innovation – Increase Flexibility

Longer term upskilling/reskilling other workers
Expanded roles
Other

Innovation – Increase Availability

Worker

Physical Therapists

Task/Skill

Training / Retraining

Brief Description of Setting

World Physiotherapy is the global body for 122 physiotherapy member organisations, representing more than 670,000 physiotherapists.

Founded in 1951, we are the sole international voice for physiotherapy. We represent more than 670,000 physiotherapists worldwide, through our 122 member organisations. World Physiotherapy operates as a non-profit organisation and is registered as a charity (World Confederation for Physical Therapy) in the UK.

Setting - Organization

Hospitals

Setting - Geography

Facilitators

We base our guidance on the most recent, relevant COVID-19 clinical practice guidelines from highly respected organizations, national physiotherapy organizations, and from peer-reviewed studies and transparently report our evidence sources.

Barriers

Given the recency in presentation of COVID-19, clinical guidance may change as we learn more about the natural history of this disease

Impact / Evaluation

Link

https://www.wcpt.org/sites/wcpt.org/files/files/wcptnews/images/Physiotherapy_Guideline_COVID-19_FINAL.pdf

Contact

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Organization

World Physiotherapy

Phone Number

Country

Expert Assessment – Impact

Assessed Risk - Workers

Assessed Risk - System

Assessed Risk – Patients

Expert Assessment – Confidence

Language

English

Type

Grey Literature

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