Physical therapy services during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of families of children and adolescents with physical disabilities

• Grant number: 21/03207-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina de Campos
• Grantee: Pedro Bittencourt de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/04750-3 - Effects an of intensive rehabilitation on gross motor function of infants with perinatal stroke, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Introduction: In view of the current scenario of social distancing resulting from the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, a type of coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with physical disabilities were severely affected. Although remote physiotherapy consults, orientations and monitoring have been regulated, it is not known if and how such monitoring is occurring, nor what is the perception of families in this scenario. Objective: To identify the experiences and expectations in relation to physiotherapy services in families with children and adolescents with physical disabilities in the current scenario of social distance resulting from the pandemic. Methods: The project was submitted and approved by the local ethics committee. For this mixed methods study, guardians of 50 children and adolescents who attended physical therapy services before the pandemic will be invited to answer a formulary on the impact of social distancing on the physical therapy services received by children and adolescents with physical disabilities. This formulary can be answered virtually, in print or by telephone as an interview, containing objective and subjective questions. The frequency of responses to each question will be analyzed descriptively. Open questions will be analyzed qualitatively, through a survey of the themes addressed by the respondents. Expected Results: The identification of the demands and expectations of the families, and the understanding of the impact of the pandemic on the services received, will be of great importance for the development of interventions to be used under social distancing situations. (AU)