رسائل ماجيستير
English
2024
Survey of physiotherapists' evaluation and management practices for patients with covid-19 in acute and chronic care rehab centers in United Arab Emirates Investigator
Ashokan Arumugam, Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy, Neda Mohammad Ali
كلية العلوم الصحية-جامعة الشارقة · الامارات
Physiotherapists have a significant role in the treatment and care of individuals
with COVID-19, who suffer from a range of symptoms and complications. Treatment for these
patients requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Aim: The study aims to explore the practice patterns of assessment and management adopted
by physiotherapists for patients with COVID-19 in critical care and rehabilitation settings in
the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Methods: A survey questionnaire was shared with physiotherapists working in the UAE’s
private and public hospitals. The questionnaire consisted of 60 questions that were divided into
5 sections: assessment in ICU and wards, treatment in ICU and wards and patient education.
Results: The e-mails were sent to 150 physiotherapists from 20 different hospitals (private and
government), and 100 of them replied. As only 100 physiotherapists (100/150) responded to
the survey, the response rate was 66.66%. The mean age of participants was 32.92 years,
regarding years of practice, 6% had 1-2 years, 14% had 3-5 years, and 80% had more than 5
years of experience, The physiotherapy evaluation of patients was primarily focused on specific
impairment measures. Respiratory rate was the highest reported assessment tool in the ICU,
with 68% of physiotherapists always using it. More than 78% of ward assessments use physical
examination and respiratory rate. Treatment in the ICU was primarily done with chest
percussion and suction therapy; over 85% reported using them always or frequently. A total of
89% of respondents used positioning and postural drainage as part of their treatment in wards,
and 100% chose walking as their method of mobilization. The frequencies of higher scores in
the ICU and ward treatment scores were significantly more among the respondents with a
bachelor's degree and public sector workers.
Conclusion: Both ICU and acute care physiotherapists used similar assessment techniques
focused on impairments and dyspnea-quantifying measures, with less emphasis on
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functional exercise capacity. They, however, used similar approaches to treatment in the
ICU and wards, with slight variations in airway clearance and equipment use.
Key words: Covid-19, pulmonary rehabilitation, chest, physiotherapy, critical care, survey,
ICU
