Abstract:

In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the topic “Clinical management of corona-virus disease 2019” is crucial. Our work include clinical consultations in rehabilitation wards; post-graduate education and specialization of medical doctors [residents in Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM)] and undergraduate education of university students in the field of rehabilitation [future Bachelors in “Physiotherapy” and “Medical rehabilitation and ergotherapy”, and future Masters in specialties “Physiotherapy”, “Medical cosmetics”, “Medical rehabilitation and balneotherapy”]. Therefore, we include some information on the topic “COVID and post-COVID-rehabilitation” in our lectures and seminars. We founded our materials on the recommendations and the regulations of WHO and of Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), as “COVID-19 Clinical management” (January 2021) and “Rehabilitation Considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak”.

We incorporated in our presentations some basic themes: Clinical assessment of patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19; Clinical management of mild, moderate, severe and critical COVID-19; Rehabilitation of patients in acute, post-acute and chronic stage; rehabilitation of SARS-CoV-2 survivors with pneumonia, after acute respiratory distress syndrome, with post-intensive care syndrome and post-viral fatigue, with post-COVID-syndrome, rehabilitation in frail older people, palliative care in patients with COVID-19. We realized some lectures and seminars on these topics, emphasizing on clinical management of patients after discharge of the acute clinics and in long-term care settings (rehabilitation of in-patients and outpatients). Special attention was paid to: early mobilization, respiratory exercises, techniques for prevention of deep venous thrombosis and of pulmonary embolism; stimulation of activities and functioning, including self-care and mobility. We insisted in techniques for treatment of physical deconditioning, muscle weakness and fatigue; for myalgia, arthralgia and headache; etc. We included principal natural and preformed physical modalities in our complex rehabilitation programs. Due to the prevalence in our country, we emphasized on rehabilitation of neurological manifestations, associated with COVID-19 (especially Guillain-Barre syndrome, encephalopathy, encephalomyelitis and stroke), cardiologic problems (myocarditis and coronary artery disease, including acute coronary syndrome), some mental indicators (chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder) and cognitive illnesses (“brain fog” with lack of mental clarity, poor concentration, inability to focus, memory problems).

After the lectures, presentations and seminars, we sent our educational materials and questionnaires to the students and trainees. We tested their competences in the field – before and after the educational course. We observed significant amelioration in the level of theoretical knowledge and some practical skills of our trainees and students after the end of the lectures, presentations and seminars. Finally, we prepared an anonymous questionnaire for evaluation of students’ satisfaction of the acquired expertise. Students and trainees consider useful our educational module.

Keywords:

Education, rehabilitation, clinical management, COVID-19, post-COVID-syndrome.