Introduction

COVID-19 ranges in severity from mild symptoms to severe disease requiring hospitalisation, oxygen support, and intensive care interventions. Complications in severe COVID-19 include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, multiple organ failure, acute kidney injury, and cardiac complications. Physiotherapists play an important role in managing patients with COVID-19 in acute hospital settings and supporting rehabilitation following recovery. This course explores respiratory management approaches and physiotherapy interventions for patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• describe the clinical presentation of COVID-19, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and the clinical criteria for physiotherapy referral
• describe the respiratory management of hospitalised patients with COVID-19, including non-invasive and invasive ventilatory support, lung-protective ventilation principles, positioning strategies, and the physiotherapist's role in preventing and managing respiratory complications
• discuss the physiotherapy role across the continuum of COVID-19 care, from acute physiotherapy interventions and early mobilisation through to post-acute sequelae (Long COVID), including recognition of post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE) and the evidence base for pulmonary rehabilitation

Target audience

This course is aimed at Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy clinicians, students and assistants. Other interested professionals such as athletic trainers, occupational therapists, nurses or medical doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 2-2.5 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 2.1 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.