Developing Best Practice Statements for physiotherapists working with older people during a natural disaster, conflict or pandemic

This project aimed to develop Best Practice Statements for physiotherapists working with older people during natural disaster, conflict or pandemic, to address a gap in current global policy and to focus specifically on physiotherapy services for this population.

A Short Life Working Group was set up by IPTOP. The approach used was to 

• examine relevant international and national documents for references to older people and / or physiotherapy
• search for literature relevant to physiotherapy with older people specific to a natural disaster, conflict or pandemic situation
• Review the identified papers and highlight pertinent best practice points
• Collate all relevant evidence to develop the best practice statements
• Gather examples from IPTOP member organisations with experience of working following natural disasters, conflicts or pandemics

Nine international policy documents were scrutinised. Literature searches using MeSH terms identified 71 relevant papers for review. 

Best practice statements were then developed using a consensus approach, covering both general guidelines for older people in emergency situations and specific guidelines for natural disasters, conflicts and pandemics. 

The document was reviewed and approved by the IPTOP executive, member countries and relevant physiotherapists with expertise in this field prior to publication. 

Whilst older people are identified as a vulnerable group within international guidelines related to emergency situations, there is limited specific guidance for best practice for physiotherapy with older people before, during and after these events. This work by IPTOP addresses this gap by developing Best Practice Statements through a consensus-driven approach

Physiotherapists involved in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, conflicts or pandemics will now have best practice statements to guide their practice. These statements are intended to supplement existing international guidelines and are tailored specifically to the needs of physiotherapy with older adults.