Abstract:

During the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic, we detected insufficient knowledge of our students and trainees, concerning the infection prevention and control for COVID-19 virus. Therefore, we decided to include some information in the field during our lectures, predestined to medical doctors – residents in Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) and to students in the field of rehabilitation – in Bachelor’s degree (specialties “Physiotherapy”, “Medical rehabilitation and ergotherapy”) and in Master’s degree (specialties “Physiotherapy”, “Medical cosmetics”, “Medical rehabilitation and balneotherapy”).

We based our materials on the recommendations and the regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) in this thematic field: “Infection prevention and control during health care, when COVID-19 is suspected” (March 2020), “Rational use of personal protective equipment for corona-virus disease” (April 2020) and “Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19” (June 2020).

We incorporated in our presentations some actual themes: Infection prevention and control during rehabilitation of patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19; Reduction of risks of infection with SARS-CoV-2 for health workers and surveillance for symptoms of COVID-19; Personal protective equipment (PPE) for corona-virus disease; Safety measures for health workers - especially in long-term care settings (rehabilitation of in-patients and out-patients). We realized some lectures and seminars on these topics, emphasizing on the hand hygiene; algorithms for the use of masks, gloves and eye protection; putting on and taking off the PPEs for contact and droplet precautions; types of PPEs in our country: different types of face masks and respirators, face shields and goggles, gloves, gowns, etc. During the online education, we accentuated on the impact of some physical modalities in this prevention: ultraviolet light, regular physical activity and relaxing activities at home, in the mountain and at the seaside (including SPA procedures with mineral waters, seawater and peloids: underwater massage, swimming, underwater exercises; mud applications, sea lye compresses).

We observe an important interest of our students and residents. After the lectures, presentations and seminars, we sent our educational materials and questionnaires to the students and trainees.

We tested their level of competence in the field – before and after the educational course. We perceived that before the educational module, many students and trainees consider that they are prepared to control the infection, but some of them applied PPEs inappropriately.

We observed significant amelioration in the level of competences of our trainees and students after the end of the educational module.

Finally, we prepared an anonymous questionnaire for evaluation of students’ satisfaction of the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Our results were encouraging. Students and trainees consider useful the educational materials and presentations.

Keywords:

Education, infection prevention, COVID-19, personal protective equipment.