The Changing Face of Physiotherapy Practice in COVID-19: Perspective of an Indian Physiotherapist

Abstract

COVID-19 has taken up the world like a storm. It has placed unusual demands on healthcare delivery systems, including physiotherapy services worldwide. This challenge is even larger than the one placed by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Ebola because of its sheer virulence. Times are changing; we need to do the same and accept the challenge head on. The role of a physiotherapist in the management of the COVID-19 patients is well established but an important issue is the management of non-COVID-19 as well as COVID-19 patients judiciously during these times. The various barriers to practice have increased manifold due to the condition as well as the associated problems which arose due to it. This commentary will comment on the likely impact of this pandemic over the existing physiotherapy delivery structure, challenges arising out of it and their probable solutions, ending with a brief note on India.