A survey based investigation into the figure of the digital physiotherapist in the COVID-19 era

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is proposing new models of care. The digital rehabilitation therapy used in remote rehabilitation, already used in the past, has been pushed forward. We focused on the physiotherapist and we had the idea of submitting a survey that would allow us to investigate: (I) the opinion of the physiotherapist who has already graduated and is undergoing training to be part of this new process of digitization of care; and (II) his or her perception of the degree of preparation in terms of training received to get an idea of preparedness. Methods: To do this we have constructed a survey dedicated to this purpose and focused to the physiotherapist both in training and graduate. The survey was submitted electronically on two samples of participants with the needed background: the first group consisted of 112 students (57 males/55 females; minimum age 20; maximum age 35; averaged age 24.3). The second group consisted on 89 graduated in Physiotherapy of the last 8 years (45 males/44 females; minimum age 25; maximum age 40; averaged age 31.2). Results: Results highlighted (I) the high perception on the degree of preparation and training towards the expanded role of the physiotherapist and therefore on the preparedness in terms of curriculum, (II) the clear indication of the complementarity and subordination of these new digital activities to the traditional ones. Conclusions: From a general point of view, the study conducted in the field highlights the high acceptance and consensus of the interviewed subjects in regards to the evolution of his or her job description.