How COVID-19 Has Transformed Physiotherapy

In these unprecedented times, the future of businesses, including “non-essential” medical services are in a dilemma. 

With many businesses and non-essential medical services re-opening, we have to unearth new approaches to work safely. 

Telehealth has become an up-and-coming alternative way of care delivery, particularly now-a real game-changer for medical industries such as physiotherapy. However, it cannot and maybe will never substitute hands-on care, so some amalgamation of the two is required in this time of social distancing. 

Twining telehealth, such as virtual physiotherapy into a patient’s care journey in combination with in-person visits to offer optimal benefit, will significantly benefit patients and providers; the permanent ability to render remote services is undeniable. But going to that point will demand a change in how we see care delivery, including how we structure our methods. The importance of safety drills, hands-free admissions, and hands-free payment processing may be a vital part of doing business and patient interactions. 

So how can we use telehealth in our virtual physiotherapy system:

• Be sure to have the logistics you need, such as the patient’s intake information, patient consent form, technology requirements, and best practices. 
• Ensure you have the proper treatment and that it is set up and ready to go before conducting virtual physiotherapy visits; a well-lit room that’s far distant from any commotion and has minimum disturbances would be ideal. 
• Double-check your audio device and camera to make sure everything’s working as intended; be sure you have a phone handy to dial-in if necessary in case of technology failure.
• Launch your video application and virtual platform; Ensure that your patient is comfortable and confirm that the patient can see and hear you well.
• One of the essential elements of rehab therapy treatment is home exercise programs. Maybe you can also use your telehealth platform’s screen to review the home exercise programs when in a live therapy session.

Now, what can you do when seeing patients after the COVID-19 lockdown has been lifted? Here’s what outpatient physiotherapy practices need to do:

• Check your state and city guidelines and local laws to see if there are any rules or requirements. 
• Adhere to all sanitization and safety guidelines to avoid adding to an increase in infections; review workplace safety policies while updating your cleaning protocol to adhere to CDC guidelines.
• In case of entry of a patient exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, sanitizing the areas would be an essential practice.

The future would be challenging for physiotherapists, but there is always hope on the horizon!