The COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges to policymakers across the country. The workers’ compensation industry can be included in this, as insurers and employers are struggling to determine the compensability of contracting the virus at work. Typically workers’ compensation does not cover community spread illnesses due to the inability to specifically track them back to the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a reconsideration of this prior approach, as many essential occupations have become considerably more hazardous. As a result, many states have taken action to extend workers’ compensation benefits to first responders, healthcare, and other essential workers that have contracted the COVID-19 virus.
As we continue to learn more about the effects of COVID-19, it has become increasingly apparent that patients recovering from this virus often present with numerous long-term deficits to various systems of the body. These residual symptoms can significantly limit a patient’s ability to return to normal function, often for months beyond the initial infection. As providers and payers try to adapt to a frequently changing environment, what has become clear is that a new type of program is needed to help manage this patient population and facilitate return to full function.
Results Physiotherapy has risen to the challenge, understanding that Physical Therapists, by nature of our training and background in conditioning and exercise, are perfectly positioned to help those impacted by the long-term effects of COVID-19 (Early research has suggested that 10-20% of symptomatic COVID-19 cases will experience some sort of persistent symptom1). Our Post-Covid Recovery Program consists of an 8-week program, where our physical therapists will create an individualized plan of care through the implementation of exercise, strengthening, cardiovascular training, functional training, education, and manual therapy to improve each patient’s quality of life. Each patient will progress through our 4 phase recovery program, graduating to each new phase as they demonstrate progress and improved tolerance to activity.
Stage 1 will focus on an evaluation of current status, baseline measures, and initiation of a basic exercise program. This stage includes baseline respiratory function measures during endurance testing, lung capacity tests with spirometry, and continual monitoring of O2 saturation levels. Additionally, general strength, ROM, and functional testing (pertaining to fall risk and cardiovascular endurance) will all be evaluated.
Stage 2 will address continue graded exposure to activity, including diaphragmatic and trunk strengthening and progressive breathing exercises, in addition to manual therapy techniques to improve thorax and shoulder mobility related to breathing.
Stage 3 will further progress to variable intensity cardiovascular, strength, and aerobic conditioning prior to Stage 4.
Stage 4 will address any patient-specific functional activities (including specific occupational demands) while preparing the patient for discharge (and continued performance of the program independently).
This multi-stage approach ensures that each patient gets appropriate care, depending on where they are within their recovery. Furthermore, participation in a formal program as outlined above has shown greater benefit in terms of outcomes compared to a printed home exercise programs with no oversight2. When considering treatment interventions for this patient population, a formal program with clinical oversight and coaching will yield a better outcome and will facilitate a faster return to function/work. Not only will this type of program positively impact the worker, but it’s also certain to reduce the number of days off work.
In addition to better outcomes, our post-COVID recovery program also offers a level of convenience, as our patients have the flexibility to receive care in person or from a distance using Virtual Therapy via Telehealth. This virtual option will allow for quick access to care, regardless of patient geography, ensuring that world-class physical therapy is available to all that need it. To learn more about how physical therapy can help your post-COVID patients get back to their pre-COVID state, visit our Post-COVID Recovery Program.
