FEATURE REHABILITATION
and also the emotional call they were NHS England ( 2020 ) Your COVID Recovery : assisted to make to their family to advise Supporting your recovery after COVID-19 . Available them . at : www . yourcovidrecovery . nhs . uk
‘ They also explain the difficulties in processing how ill they then became , Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2020 ) as they have no memory of this time … Recovering from COVID-19 : Post viral-fatigue there have been emotions as to what and conserving energy . Available at : www . rcot . their families experienced while they co . uk / recovering-covid-19-post-viral-fatigue-andconserving-energy were in hospital and the sudden change of dynamic and roles with the immediate family unit on them returning home .
‘ This ripple effect on the wider family has also
She concludes : ‘ My experience has shown the needed to be the team ’ s focus and , as a result , we adaptability of the occupational therapy profession . have worked closely with patients ’ spouses in order It has highlighted our breadth of transferrable to extend our informal psychological support . ability in treating the diverse impacts of the virus on
‘ I have supported a realistic mindset of occupational deprivation and the value in our holistic expectation and motivation for recovery , bearing in approach to recovery . mind the ongoing level of unknown of this condition . ‘ I have utilised my transferable occupational Anxiety management strategies are discussed therapy and neurology-specific skills in relation to and people are encouraged to focus on their fatigue management , cognition , and upper limb achievements .’ rehabilitation , yet the experience continues to also
Clare adds : ‘ I sensed there was a need for some bring me positive challenge and progression through people to talk to other survivors , to gain validation extensive new learning and skill development . and reassurance of how they were feeling , and of ‘ As the virus is new and evolving , it has required their ongoing symptoms , especially around the a significant amount of self-study around the virus flashbacks , fatigue and breathlessness . itself , and also understanding the recognised and
‘ With their consent , I facilitated contact through evidenced post-intensive care syndrome , ICU-related exchanging their telephone numbers . Two gentlemen delirium and respiratory functioning . have since met up for a coffee and others have been ‘ I have needed to keep abreast of medical maintaining regular telephone contact . For me this knowledge , interventions and research trials . has highlighted a gap in the emotional support some [ However ] the initial absence of guidelines and of my patients require , through current restrictions on an evidence base has provided opportunity for services that would have ordinarily provided this .’ enhanced autonomous practice , drawing on my years of clinical experience whilst also being creative
Moving forward and innovative . I have found this both refreshing and Clare reports that ‘ many in this group are now at fulfilling . the stage of being discharged with the confidence ‘ It has been a time of critical thinking with limited to continue with self-management , as a result of barriers to change . We have been able to respond , education and support the team has provided ’. rather than react , and have provided valuable
She says : ‘ The vast majority who were previously continuity of care into the community . in employment have now returned , albeit a
‘ A new and dynamic service has been created , large number needing to adapt their roles and delivering personalised care to patients within the responsibilities and utilise strategies to support Birmingham locality . Our timely and comprehensive residual physical and cognitive impairments . approach has supported improvement in quality
‘ Our service has been evolving and flexibly of life , alongside reducing long term financial adapting in response to the second wave . Referral implications through carer need and unemployment . criteria now also includes patients who have received ‘ I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved high flow oxygen . This medical approach is being and am grateful for the support and encouragement widely used as the first line of intervention , alongside from our therapy management to enable this .’ anti-virals , steroids and antibiotic medications .
‘ We are experiencing both similarities and also Clare Pearsall , band seven occupational therapist , differences in the presentation of this group and are Heartlands Hospital , University Hospitals Birmingham currently collecting and collating data on this .’ Trust , email : clare . pearsall @ nhs . net
RESOURCES
26 OTnews January 2021