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N.J. Molina Achury1, I.Q. Caicedo Molina2, Y.P. Rodríguez Herrera3, B. Mena Bejarano4, S.A. Cardozo Vesga5
1Colombian Association of Physiotherapy - National University of Colombia, Departamento del Movimiento Corporal Humano, Facultad de Medicina, Bogotá, Colombia, 2Colombian College of Physiotherapists - National University of Colombia, Departamento del Movimiento Corporal Humano, Facultad de Medicina, Bogotá, Colombia, 3Colombian Association of Physiotherapy - Colombian College of Physiotherapists, Management Systems, Bogotá, Colombia, 4Colombian Association of Physiotherapy Faculties - Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Departamento Movimiento Corporal Humano - Facultad de Medicina, Bogotá, Colombia, 5Colombian Association of Physiotherapy Students - Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Departamento Movimiento Corporal Humano - Facultad de Medicina, Bogotá, Colombia
Background: Colombia, like the rest of the world, has been affected by the presence of COVID 19, the first case occurred on March 6th, from this day, the national government introduced a response plan to the pandemic with several approaches. The physical therapy union organizations have developed a strategy based on consensus of experts to develop guidelines as an attempt to support fellow physiotherapists and the population as well.
Purpose: To strengthen the health response from professional practice through the pandemic by protecting the well-being and security of physical therapists.
Methods: A methodology based on groups of experts was implemented, divided into 7 groups: Homecare, medical emergencies-external consultation, hospitalization, intensive care units, well-being and quarantine, professional well-being and education. Each group consisted of experts, researchers and students who provided both a regional and nationwide bibliographic review of physiotherapy care, along with the publishing of recommendations, agreements by experts and a final version of the document. Socialization was introduced firstly in a group meeting, secondly in a webinar, lastly on physical therapy union networks.
Results: Each group created guidelines to address professional labor nationwide, as well as recommendations with information for the population, followed by webinars, infographic, statements, videos and strategic actions,
Nine guidelines were issued: First contact guidelines; physiotherapy action plan for COVID-19; recommendations for external consultation, domiciliary and digital physiotherapy; comprehensive management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19; early mobilization in ICU - COVID-19; physiotherapy recommendations for the approach to critical care patients with COVID-19; digital physiotherapy; plus two journals about experiences and reflections of human resources formation through virtual learning.
About 67 infographics were designed, 25 webinars were held with an average attendance of 500 attendees, available on the official YouTube channels of physical therapy unions, 7 videos were filmed mostly on recommendations for the population; 4 professional surveys were created, distributed and analyzed; 13 statements were released for professionals and government entities; three call-center strategies were executed: The first on confirmed cases of covid-19, follow-up and recommendations, more than 110 family groups were assessed; the second based on advice for population with disabilities and caregivers, nearly 100 families have been treated; the third on mental health remote orientation from physiotherapists for physiotherapists.
The union organizations teamed up with organizations from other fields: Great Coalition of Healthcare Talent and development of the free virtual course: "Basic multidisciplinary training in the ICU with an emphasis on COVID-19 management".
Nine guidelines were issued: First contact guidelines; physiotherapy action plan for COVID-19; recommendations for external consultation, domiciliary and digital physiotherapy; comprehensive management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19; early mobilization in ICU - COVID-19; physiotherapy recommendations for the approach to critical care patients with COVID-19; digital physiotherapy; plus two journals about experiences and reflections of human resources formation through virtual learning.
About 67 infographics were designed, 25 webinars were held with an average attendance of 500 attendees, available on the official YouTube channels of physical therapy unions, 7 videos were filmed mostly on recommendations for the population; 4 professional surveys were created, distributed and analyzed; 13 statements were released for professionals and government entities; three call-center strategies were executed: The first on confirmed cases of covid-19, follow-up and recommendations, more than 110 family groups were assessed; the second based on advice for population with disabilities and caregivers, nearly 100 families have been treated; the third on mental health remote orientation from physiotherapists for physiotherapists.
The union organizations teamed up with organizations from other fields: Great Coalition of Healthcare Talent and development of the free virtual course: "Basic multidisciplinary training in the ICU with an emphasis on COVID-19 management".
Conclusion(s): Developing professional actions from union activity is a challenge that allows not only to influence physiotherapy, but to highlight professional action regarding other careers, government entities and population; It is also a mechanism of action and support for professionals amid COVID-19 management. The strategy will remain and will be updated throughout the pandemic.
Implications: Guidelines, infographics, and webinar information can be used by physiotherapists in their labor as a response to the needs of the population during the pandemic, by supporting the response of healthcare system and physiotherapists demanding proper working conditions in addition to personal protective equipment.
Funding, acknowledgements: None declared by the authors.
Keywords: coronavirus, physiotherapy, COVID-19
Topic: COVID-19
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: Colombian Association of Physiotherapy
Committee: No
Reason: Because it was developed as part of a union action that does not imply an investigation as a basis.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
