Physiotherapy in Disaster Management: Physiotherapist View
Physiotherapy in Disaster Management: Physiotherapist View
Keywords:
Disaster, Physiotherapists, Phase of disaster, RehabilitationAbstract
Background: A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community’s or society’s ability to cope using its own resources. Disasters result immediate, significant loss of life and long-term physical impairments such as spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), amputations, fractures, and peripheral nerve injuries; related mental health conditions including situational anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder occur concomitantly. The principal non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing disaster relief do not include physiotherapists as part of their healthcare teams. Also after literature review it was found that there are limited studies which shows role of physiotherapy in disaster management. Objective: To find role of physiotherapy in Disaster management. Methods: Descriptive study, included physiotherapists involved in disaster. Semi structured Questionnaire was used. Results: 10 participants were involved and the results suggest there is role of physiotherapists in different phase of disaster management. Interpretations: There is role of physiotherapist in disaster management but Physiotherapists are also not involved in disaster management by govt. organizations. Conclusion: There is significant role of physiotherapists in different phase of disaster management. [Navjyot T NJIRM 2017; 8(4):32-34]
References
2. Erin Faanes AG, Ellen Johnston, Katie Larsen, Crystal Stien. Experiences of physical therapists who participate in disaster relief work in haiti [Research Paper]: St. Catherine University; 2012.
3. Gosney J, Reinhardt JD, Haig AJ, Li J. Developing post-disaster physical rehabilitation: role of the World Health Organization Liaison Sub-Committee on Rehabilitation Disaster Relief of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. Journal of rehabilitation medicine. 2011;43(11):965-8.
4. Sheri Waldrop. Physical Therapists' Vital Role in Disaster Management: American Physical Therapy Association; 2008 [cited 2008 21/2].
5. Andrew N. Pollak M, Christopher T. Born, MD, Robin N. Kamal, MD, Eli Y. Adashi, MD,MS, CPE. Updates on Disaster Preparedness and Progress in Disaster Relief. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2012;20(1):54-8.
6. Angelucci DD. The Role of Physical Therapists in Disaster Relief. PT in Motion. 2011.
