Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional clinical practice of occupational therapy

• Published in: Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional 2022, Vol.30
• Main Authors: Moreno-Chaparro, Jaime, Calderón-Calvo, Alejandro, Cubillos-Mesa, Cristian, Sánchez Santamaría, Katherine Johanna, Martínez Sánchez, Miguel Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2526-8910; 2526-8910
• DOI: 10.1590/2526-8910.ctoao242731672

Abstract Introduction A series of restrictive health care measures emerged limiting actions that include the work of occupational therapists and proposing adaptations to provide care to people who require it. Objective To identify the impact and adaptations in the care of Occupational Therapy clinical professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. Methods Cross-sectional study that applies an online questionnaire in January-February 2021 to Colombian occupational therapists in clinical/hospital settings. Sociodemographic variables, clinical professional practice, and the impact of COVID-19 in terms of job loss, modifications, and adaptations for the intervention were analyzed. Descriptive analyzes are performed by variable and a Chi-square test of independence is applied for associations between variables. Results 382 Colombian occupational therapists participated. The average time of professional practice was 10.8 years. Of the total, 89% worked before the pandemic and continued their work, and at least 64% claimed that they lost their job due to COVID-19. Of those who continued to work, 20.5% did so virtually and 79.5% in a face-to-face clinic. On a virtual level, 89% did it due to a job requirement and at least 53% did it without training in telehealth. In face-to-face, 68% reported restrictions in the actions practiced and decreased referrals to therapy. Conclusions The pandemic has resized the actions of the occupational therapist, has modified the means and forms of intervention, allowing the reinvention of their work. Resumo Introdução Uma série de medidas restritivas de atenção à saúde emergiram limitando as ações que incluem o trabalho do terapeuta ocupacional, requerendo adaptações para atender as pessoas que dele necessitam. Objetivo Identificar o impacto e as adaptações no atendimento de profissionais clínicos de terapia ocupacional devido à pandemia de COVID-19 na Colômbia. Métodos: Estudo transversal que aplicou um questionário online em janeiro-fevereiro de 2021 a terapeutas ocupacionais colombianos em ambientes clínicos/hospitalares. Foram analisadas variáveis sociodemográficas, prática profissional clínica e o impacto da COVID-19 em termos de perda de emprego, modificações e adaptações para a intervenção. As análises descritivas são realizadas por variável e um teste de independência Qui-quadrado para associações entre as variáveis. Resultados Participaram 382 terapeutas ocupacionais colombianos. O tempo médio de exercício profiss