Parkinson's disease physical therapy services during COVID-19: A phenomenological study

CONCLUSIONS: This study explored the experiences of people with PD and their therapists by contrasting their prepandemic and in-pandemic experiences. People with PD valued telehealth access during the pandemic, but extra support was initially required to use telehealth successfully. Empowering aspects of telehealth included patients learning new skills and self-management strategies from telehealth interactions with therapists. Therapists at this health service were motivated to continue with telehealth beyond the pandemic. Despite finding it challenging initially, they were surprised by how well people with PD managed telehealth using locally developed procedures based on clinical judgement and staff training that addressed patient safety while supporting people with PD to utilise telehealth.PMID:37987096 | DOI:10.1111/ajag.13259
Source: Australasian Journal on Ageing - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: research