A Survey of Hospital-based Physiotherapists’ Roles and Responsibilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting high number of individuals requiring hospitalization has caused health care systems worldwide to alter hospital policies and procedures. This study examined how changes in hospital operations between March 2020 and March 2021 affected physiotherapists’ roles and responsibilities in Ontario, Canada. Method: Between February and March 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study using an online survey of physiotherapists employed in acute care and rehabilitation hospitals. Results: Among 230 respondents, 82 (35.7%) reported being redeployed at some point during the study period to new settings or areas of practice. Physiotherapists typically working in outpatient settings were the most likely to be redeployed (63.3%), with 62.9% of respondents reporting caring for COVID-19 patients. Among 37.1% of respondents reporting undertaking new responsibilities (e.g., personal support work, nursing, infection control), 72.0% reported being confident in their abilities; however, only 49.4% felt adequately trained. Conclusions: Hospital-based physiotherapists in Ontario, Canada took on a variety of traditional and non-traditional responsibilities during the first year of the pandemic. Although confident in their abilities, feelings of being inadequately trained highlight the need for improved processes when taking on new responsibilities to support delivery of patient care and physiotherapists’ well-being.