Supporting rehabilitation practice for COVID-19 recovery: A descriptive qualitative analysis of healthcare worker perspectives.

Abstract

Abstract Objective The study aimed to explore the perspective of healthcare workers on the resources they need to provide quality rehabilitation for people recovering from COVID-19 infection.Methods A descriptive qualitative approach using reflexive thematic analysis was employed. Focus groups and interviews were performed with 9 healthcare workers (1 Intensive Care Unit Physiotherapist, 1 Respiratory Therapist and 7 Occupational Therapists) with experience treating patients recovering from COVID-19 infection within hospital and in the community. Verbatim transcripts were coded and analysed for themes.Results Healthcare workers perceive an urgent need for resources about recovery from COVID-19 infection to support quality care. They particularly want detailed guidance about potential trajectories of recovery, and what should be expected over time for people with Long COVID. Many observed that this group of patients required higher oxygen requirement and experienced slower recovery than others with serious respiratory conditions. Supports for quality care do exist but are not perceived as sufficient by participants. They want any new resources developed to be accessible, quick to access and targeted to specific healthcare worker roles and services settings. Participants identified several barriers to accessing practice supports, including the time poor nature of healthcare and financial costs to both patients and healthcare workers.Conclusion Healthcare workers perceive an urgent need for the development of resources to support quality rehabilitation for people recovering from COVID-19 infection, to support best outcomes for this group of patients. Any resources developed must consider identified barriers to their access and use to maximise their impact.