Out-of-hospital physical therapy during pandemic: the vision and positioning of professionals

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic caused atypical moments for the population. In Brazil, to promote measures to control viral dissemination, Decrees issued by several government levels indicated the essential and non-essential services that could remain in operation during a certain period. Out-of-hospital physical therapy was considered nonessential. This article aims to verify whether physical therapists consider the practice of out-of-hospital physical therapy as an essential service during periods of humanitarian crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we aim to identify the types of care procedures performed during this period. We performed a cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive survey with descriptive analysis, conducted by an electronic questionnaire published on the websites of the Regional Councils of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy (CREFITO’s) of Paraná - CREFITO 8, Santa Catarina - CREFITO 10, and Rio Grande do Sul - CREFITO 5. 78% of the volunteers are female, and 44% are registered in CREFITO 8, 40% are physical therapist of CREFITO 5, 16% are registered in CREFITO 10, and 100% of the sample considered out-of-hospital physical therapy an essential service. Regarding the schooling level, 70% have a graduate degree and 54% work in private establishments. During the decree of essential services, 56% of the professionals did not practice. Out-of-hospital physical therapy is essential in pandemic crises. In addition to providing initiation and continuity to patient treatment, it avoids unnecessary visits to hospitals.