Safety and effectiveness of telerehabilitation program in people with severe haemophilia in Chile. A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about how people with haemophilia (PWH) perceive and assess the usefulness, safety and effectiveness of telerehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To describe usefulness, safety, effectiveness and limitations of a telerehabilitation program applied in people with severe haemophilia implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted based on a focus group. Four analytical categories were predefined, three of which involved elements of Donabedian's model for quality assessment in health care (structure, process and results). RESULTS: One of the most important aspects according to all of the participants is the sense of safety they experienced while being taken care of by a physiotherapist specializing in PWH rehabilitation. This facilitated trust in the professional and adherence to treatment. All participants reported improvements in their physical condition and sense of well-being. The lack of adequate equipment at home, the limited length of the sessions, the perception that the physiotherapist may not be able to perform an appropriate physical examination and the lack of direct supervision were described as disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscored that telerehabilitation had high satisfaction among PWH. Telerehabilitation was perceived by PWH as a safe and effective intervention to improve physical condition. Telerehabilitation could be further supported and improved, and coverage could be enhanced, including rural and remote areas, which suffer from chronic inequalities in access to rehabilitation. The lack of face-to-face supervision and physical examination were perceived as the principal disadvantages. These results may help to improve telerehabilitation programs in PWH elsewhere.

Descriptive report of self-reported cases of physiotherapists infected by COVID-19 in Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: El 30 de enero de 2020 el Director General de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) declaró que elbrote de COVID-19 constituía una Emergencia de Salud Pública de Importancia Internacional. El 11 de marzo se determinóque el brote podría caracterizarse como una pandemia, considerando sus alarmantes niveles de propagación y gravedad. En este contexto sanitario, el personal de salud tiene mayor riesgo laboral de infección por SARS-CoV-2. Con el propósito de tener un registro del número de kinesiólogos(as) contagiados en el país, el Colegio de Kinesiólogos elaboró una encuesta de auto-reporte de contagio. Este informe presenta los datos recogidos entre el 01 de junio y el 31 de julio de2020. MÉTODOS: Se diseñó una encuesta online de auto-reporte de casos confirmados de contagio por COVID-19 dirigidaa todos los kinesiólogos(as) residentes en Chile que voluntariamente quisieran participar. RESULTADOS: La encuesta fue respondida por 157 kinesiólogos(as). El 85,3% de los casos correspondió a kinesiólogos(as) jóvenes menores de 40 años. El 77,7% residía en la Región Metropolitana. El 70,1% de los kinesiólogos(as) reportó trabajar en centros de salud de alta complejidad. El 95,5% de los casos tuvo un manejo domiciliario de los síntomas. CONCLUSIÓN: El contagio laboral por COVID-19 de parte de kinesiólogos(os) que atienden pacientes infectados es considerada una enfermedad profesional y debe ser atendida según lo dispuesto en la legalidad vigente. La prevención radica en el correcto uso de los elementos de protección personal. INTRODUCTION: On January 30th, 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On March 11th, it was determined that the outbreak could be characterized as a pandemic, considering its alarming levels of spread and severity. In this health context, health workers have a higher occupational risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2. With the aim of keeping a record of the number of physiotherapists infected in the country, the Colegio de Kinesiólogos de Chile prepared a self-reported contagion survey. This report presents the data collected between June 1st and July 31th, 2020. METHODS: An online self-report survey of confirmed cases of contagion by COVID-19 was designed for all physiotherapists residing in Chile who voluntarily wanted to participate. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 157 physiotherapists. 85.3% of the cases corresponded to young professionals under 40 years of age. 77.7% resided in the Metropolitan Region. 70.1% of the physiotherapists reported working in highly complex health centers. 95.5% of the cases had a home management of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Occupational contagion by COVID-19 by physiotherapists who treat infected patients is considered an occupational disease and must be treated according to the provisions of current legislation. Prevention lies in the correct use of personal protection elements.