The Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis in Saudi Arabia: Respiratory Rehabilitation Recommendations by Physical Therapists

Abstract

Since late 2019, the number of COVID-19 patients has gradually increased in certain regions as consecutive waves of infections hit countries. Whenever this wave hits the corresponding areas, the entire healthcare system must respond quickly to curb the diseases, morbidities, and mortalities in intensive care settings. The healthcare team involved in COVID-19 patients’ care must work tirelessly without having breaks. Our understanding of COVID-19 is limited as new challenges emerge with new COVID-19 variants appearing in different world regions. Though medical therapies are finding solutions to deal with the disease, there are few recommendations for respiratory rehabilitation therapies. A group of respiratory rehabilitation care professionals in Saudi Arabia and international experts have agreed with the World Health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19. Professionals participating in COVID-19 patient treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery formulated respiratory rehabilitation guidelines based on the DELPHI Method, combining scientific research and personal practical experience. As a result, it is envisaged that the number of individuals in the region suffering from respiratory ailments due to post-COVID-19 will decrease. This narrative review and clinical expertise guidelines may give physiotherapists acceptable and standard clinical guideline protocols for treating COVID-19 patients.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Physical Therapists toward COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Moreover, as our participants are graduate level and above in the healthcare profession, they are bound to have more knowledge about the disease. There was a positive correlation between the knowledge of COVID-19 and the participant’s educational status, which was similar to that reported in other international studies [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. In addition to mass media, our participants also reported that scientific journals were a major source of information about COVID-19.…”

“…The physical therapy profession has been known to be one of the essential healthcare professions in improving patients’ health and function at all times. A physical therapist can help COVID-19 patients improve their respiratory functions, exercise endurance, and overall body strength [ 11 , 12 ]. However, since the pandemic began, physical therapy services ceased because COVID-19 can be transmitted from unrecognized COVID-19-infected patients to physical therapists.…”

“…As a result, all universities shifted their classes to online platforms for physical therapy students and used remote training for clinical work instead of in-person services due to closed clinics. However, this new approach in medical health education may limit students’ clinical experience in adhering to preventive measures, which predisposes students to the virus [ 12 ].…”

Hijab or Niqab Interacts with Facemasks Usage at Healthcare Settings in Kabul, Afghanistan: A Multi-Center Observational Study

“…Almost in all world regions, COVID-19 necessitated wearing facemasks to the general population, at least between 2020 and 2022 [ 1 , 4 ]. However, wearing facemasks has not been, and never would be, a uniform experience across nations due to cultural, gender, social, economic, and geopolitical forces [ 4 , 5 ]. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated multiple strands of inequalities worldwide [ 6 , 7 ], including in Afghanistan.…”

Increased prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Commentary

“…Negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention by the employer are considered the main factors for negligence at the workplace during this pandemic. Along with WMSDs, many physiotherapists contracted COVID-19 during the care of affected patients [11]. Another factor that needs consideration is that many physiotherapists had to choose the option to work from home and use teleconferencing to manage patients.…”