From Hands-On to Home-Based Care

From Hands-On to Home-Based Care: Physical Therapy Undergoes a Paradigm Shift Due to Pandemic

A provider’s perspective on how the coronavirus has reshaped physical therapy and pain rehabilitation services. Plus, clinical recommendations for exercises and devices patients can use at home.

By Tiziano Marovino, DPT, MPH, DAIPM

This period in our history has been difficult in so many ways, testing our resolve as a nation and our resilience as a community. However, difficult times inspire innovative solutions and on the physical therapy and rehabilitation front, we are switching gears.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has – perhaps unexpectedly - provided us with an opportunity to gain insight into what patients deem important in the long term. This provider perspective details how my clinic has adjusted care and where our practice sees things settling.

Clinicians Shift Service Options

In keeping with state-mandated orders to provide only essential and emergency services, my outpatient physical therapy pain practice in Ypsilanti, Michigan, has reduced patient volume by 90% since February 2020. Our staff is practicing social distancing and mask-wearing. Those patients entering our clinic consist primarily of post-operative patients and those unable to control their pain through pharmacotherapy alone.