Analysis of Losses in Physiotherapy Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Approach

Abstract

Abstract Background During the COVID 19 Pandemic situation, young people experienced numerous personal losses in many aspects, which impacted their quality of life. Objective To explore and analyse the losses in physiotherapy students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out using an open format exercise carried out during the Clinical Specialties class from February-May 2021. Thirty-four (83% female) third-year physical therapy students participated. ATLAS.ti software was used for the analysis and coding of the data by three researchers. Results After the analysis of the categories, different losses by the participants were found: losses in psychological well-being, losses in physical health, losses in the social sphere (friendships, partners and family relationships, as well as deaths) and spiritual losses (loss of freedom and identity), losses in leisure time (travel, recreational activities and physical exercise) and different losses related to university studies (motivation and enthusiasm and clinical practices). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has generated losses worldwide in physiotherapy students, with losses in the social sphere being the most expressed. The present study can be used to generate resources that improve the well-being of physiotherapy students, both for optimal academic performance and greater self-care, and reduce psychosocial problems.