11/05/2020
Physiotherapists and other health professionals have to be familiar with COVID-19 and how to prevent its transmission, and understand how they can be involved in workforce planning. They must use their professional judgment to determine when, where, and how to provide care, with the understanding this is not always the optimal environment for care, for anyone involved. At the same time, consideration must be given to the fact that our profession plays a crucial role in the health of our society, and there are people in our communities whose health will be significantly impacted by disruptions to care.
Key considerations:
1. Stay current - Ensure that you are well read on current COVID-19 guidance. The WHO and the CDC have good evolving resources, also check with your local authority.
2. Stay calm - Have an objective view of the crisis we are facing. People, for example, staff and patients, may look to you as a leader to provide information to help them make decisions and also provide reassurance that we can take care of them at this time of need.
3. Minimize exposure in your setting - review infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines, practice social distancing, implement triage strategies, reschedule non-urgent care, consider digital service delivery, consider closures, for example, if you don't have PPE available.
4. Get involved in workforce planning - where appropriate offer services to reduce the load on emergency departments and frontline practitioners.
5. Get educated - all staff should be trained in COVID-19 related strategies and procedures, including rehearsals of potential scenarios, such as a COVID-19 case being identified on the clinic premises.
For more information: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/health-workers