Abstract
Objective
Knowledge of the experiences of health care professionals who have actively worked on the first line of the COVID-19 pandemic could help in identifying specific professional duties focused on health assistance objectives. No qualitative study has yet been published describing the experience of physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experiences and perspectives of physical therapists working in public hospitals in Madrid, Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A qualitative exploratory study was conducted based on an interpretive framework. Thirty physical therapists working at 11 national public hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak were recruited by purposeful sampling and snowball techniques. In-depth interviews and researchers’ field notes were used to collect data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes.
Results
After identifying 3912 codes and 13 categories, 3 themes emerged. First theme was “Call of Duty,” COVID-19 infection dramatically spread, the hospitals were contaminated and overwhelmed, and all floors were converted into COVID-19 wards. Second theme was “Working in War Time.” Every day, therapists were given “the war report,” receiving their orders, meeting protective personal equipment requirements, and doing a job with fear. Third theme was “When I Arrive at Home.” Working during the pandemic had an impact on the therapists’ families and the information shared with them.
Conclusions
Physical therapists described the COVID-19 outbreak as an apocalyptic and unexpected war. Comprehensive support is needed for all frontline health care professionals. The COVID-19 outbreak revealed that health care systems were not prepared for a pandemic.
Impact
This is the first qualitative study to be published describing the experience of physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, physical therapy, health care professional, qualitative