What is the variation of virtual physio practice since COVID-19? [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What is the variation of virtual physiotherapy practice since the onset of COVID-19?
IRAS ID
287977
Contact name
Anthony Gilbert
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust SMART Centre
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Not applicable, Not applicable
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
The outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID 19) was first reported in Wuhan, China and reached the United Kingdom on the 31st January 2020. On the 11th March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic. COVID-19 mainly affects the upper respiratory tract and clinical symptoms associated with COVID-19 can be mild, severe or critical2. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Social distancing measures have been established with the UK public being placed on ‘lockdown’ from the 23rd March 20203 to avoid transmission of the disease.\n\nPhysical attendance at outpatient clinics put patients at risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19. Virtual Consultations (VC) are an important way for patients to access their care without this risk. There has been a surge in the interest for VC in response to COVID-19, with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom releasing new Information Governance guidance for their use. \nThere are examples of remote consultations being used in clinical practice across the UK in response to COVID-19.\n\nThe purpose of this research is to gain an understanding in the variation in practice across the UK since physiotherapy has been delivered virtually. This survey will be disseminated across a range of physiotherapy networks in order to capture as wide a range of responses as possible.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A