Professional practice, competence, and education related to COVID-19: A mixed-methods light study of physiotherapists' experiences

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a significant challenge for the work and personal experience of physiotherapists (PTs). Objective: To investigate how the work activities of PTs in a region in Italy have changed, describe the reasons for change, perceived competence, and effectiveness of professional education, and explore their personal experience. Methods: We adopted a monocentric convergent mixed-methods light-questionnaire variant study. The questionnaire contains both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Quantitative and qualitative data were combined to interpret the results. Results: Among 78 respondents (response rate 24.4%), 87.2% worked during the pandemic, 52.9% treated patients with COVID-19, and 45.6% changed their working activities. Professional competence was perceived as low in intensive and sub-intensive care settings. The major critical aspect of professional education was respiratory rehabilitation. Life-learning education was judged as effective, even if mainly focused on safety. Nine themes emerged from the analysis of the PTs' experiences: 1) Physiotherapy during COVID-19; 2) Fear and negative feelings; 3) Positive aspects; 4) Organization and management; 5) Prevention measures; 6) Patients; 7) Change; 8) Information; and 9) Professional education. Conclusions: PTs who have direct experience with patients with COVID-19 showed great resilience. They overcame the first phase of disorientation and fear, despite a specific lack of competence in the respiratory field.