The present pandemic caused allied health professionals to create changes when it comes to their approach to patients.
For instance, physiotherapists are the most vulnerable to these effects as their practice necessitates direct contact with their patients. Now, the profession is facing an impending challenge to their practice
Director of two PhysioFit clinics and physiotherapist Peter Flynn executed an online treatment model for their patients.
Over the past two months, Mr. Flynn and his team were able to render patient care despite the social distancing measures. And these services were done via their online model.
The increasing demand of the patients for a clear-cut plan on how to approach the existing circumstance needs innovative alternatives for physiotherapists.
One of which would be the application Zoom. Zoom is a teleconference platform used by many individuals across backgrounds nowadays. Also, Mr. Flynn’s team uses the cloud application Cliniko, which allows them to create schemes for telehealth delivery.
The new platform brings along a new set of challenges for the practice. Patients are hesitant in acquiring telehealth services because they think that on-hand patient care wouldn’t be provided at all. This includes massage and mobilisations.
Meanwhile, Dr. Flynn maintained that the overall rehab process could be done by applying exercise-based therapy sessions that can be taught online.
The assertion comes from an evidence-backed analysis regarding the practice.
Also, Mr. Flynn anticipates that the online-based execution of business can last even after the pandemic.
Arrangements in such a platform would be more flexible as it provides physiotherapists a capacity to work from home.
Mr. Flynn also created Telehealth Mastery, an online development course for physiotherapists focused on applying online methods for patient care.
He considered it as an important step towards the realisation of physiotherapy online consultations.
Additional measures are observed in Dr. Flynn’s clinic to ensure the welfare of their physiotherapists.
Moreover, Mr. Flynn established the Frontline Healthcare Initiative that serves as a support system for medical professionals during the pandemic.
Through such a platform, various doctors of different specialisations were tasked to provide free online consultations with their fellow doctors in the frontline.
The pandemic just changes the general fabric of Australian society and even physiotherapy practice.
Mr. Flynn expressed his excitement towards the changes in the practice by focusing on the advantageous aspects. In spite of this, he recognises that there are more tasks to do for the post-pandemic adjustment.
One of which would be the challenge of moving towards evidence-based care focused on beneficial aspects of exercise and fitness.
This could be a prospective shift away from manual therapy that could be helpful in the online consultation.
Mr. Flynn said that the challenge in the movement towards online consultation is rooted in the patient’s belief that manual therapy is the only method available.
The COVID-19 pandemic promises a new set of changes in the medical field. Providing the patients with appropriate education and opportunity to adapt to the said changes could be the best way of determining the future of the industry.
