World Physiotherapy Day- 2020 Theme: Rehabilitation and COVID-19

New Delhi, September 17, 2020:In 1996, 8 September was designated as World PT Day. This is the date World Physiotherapy was founded in 1951. The day marks the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. It is an opportunity to recognize the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and community. Using World PT Day as a focus, World Physiotherapy aims to support member organizations in their efforts to promote the profession and advance their expertise.

Reports from around the world indicate that World PT Day activities have a positive impact on the profession’s profile and standing with both the public and policy makers. Many World Physiotherapy member organizations already have their own national physiotherapy days, weeks and months. However, organizations that have no designated day of their own often choose 8 September.

COVID-19: rehabilitation, the role of physiotherapists

Dr. Bhaskar Rao, M.D. KIMS Hospitals said that “We note that there are a variety of contexts in which practice takes place as well as a diversity of health care delivery systems in which physiotherapy is practised globally. Especially, the trajectory and impact over time of COVID-19 means that as the epicentre moves, societies and communities will be affected in different ways.

Emphasizing on the role of rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients, Dr. Sudhindra Vooturi, Chief Rehabilitation Therapist, KIMS Hospitals said that “Rehabilitation is ‘a set of interventions designed to reduce disability and optimize functioning in individuals with health conditions likeCOVID-19. Dr. Sudhindra further added that “Early reports highlight that the rehabilitation needs of people with severe COVID-19 exist during the acute, sub-acute and long-term phases of the disease. Physiotherapists are vital to the rehabilitation efforts in intensive care units (ICUs), hospital wards, stepdown facilitates and in the community. The appropriate deployment of physiotherapists to reflect the local needs may facilitate early discharge, thus reducing the burden on scarce hospital beds. The role of physiotherapists in supporting and empowering individuals to self-manage their rehabilitation, where appropriate and able, is important at any time and particularly so when access is restricted or service delivery changed.

Utilizing the skills of a multi-disciplinary approach and as per guidelines of Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), KIMS Hospitals has initiated “Early Mobilization Program” in patients with COVID-19. The program involves facilitating safe and the delivery of high quality assessment and personalized physiotherapy for these patients. Dr. Sudhindra added that from the data and observations at KIMS Hospitals, physiotherapy when begun at the right time and if tailor-made may help patients with COVID-19 recover faster, reduce requirement for oxygen and decrease the length of stay in hospital. Furthermore, home-based rehabilitation and community rehabilitation services are also been increasingly opted by patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)