Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional clinical practice of occupational therapy

Abstract

Introduction: A series of restrictive health care measures emerged limiting actions that include the work of occupational therapists and proposing adaptations to provide care to people who require it. Objective: To identify the impact and adaptations in the care of Occupational Therapy clinical professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. Methods: Cross-sectional study that applies an online questionnaire in January-February 2021 to Colombian occupational therapists in clinical/hospital settings. Sociodemographic variables, clinical professional practice, and the impact of COVID-19 in terms of job loss, modifications, and adaptations for the intervention were analyzed. Descriptive analyzes are performed by variable and a Chi-square test of independence is applied for associations between variables. Results: 382 Colombian occupational therapists participated. The average time of professional practice was 10.8 years. Of the total, 89% worked before the pandemic and continued their work, and at least 64% claimed that they lost their job due to COVID-19. Of those who continued to work, 20.5% did so virtually and 79.5% in a face-to-face clinic. On a virtual level, 89% did it due to a job requirement and at least 53% did it without training in telehealth. In face-to- face, 68% reported restrictions in the actions practiced and decreased referrals to therapy. Conclusions: The pandemic has resized the actions of the occupational therapist, has modified the means and forms of intervention and the reinvention of their work.