An Urgent Webinar for Therapists Working in Local Facilities by Physiatrists and Therapists in a Regional Core Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: After the emergence of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), cluster infections occurred at several rehabilitation facilities in Japan. Because rehabilitation is necessary for deconditioned COVID-19 patients, preventing cluster infections and providing rehabilitation while protecting therapists were also essential in the Wakayama region. WEBINAR: The rehabilitation medicine department and division of Wakayama Medical University Hospital, which consists of physiatrists and registered therapists, proposed that the Wakayama Physical Therapy Association hold an urgent webinar for therapists in the Wakayama region. The webinar (120 min in duration) comprised an overview of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the significance of rehabilitation therapy for COVID-19 patients, instruction in personal protective equipment, and case reports on COVID-19 patients from an affiliated university hospital. The webinar was held on May 16, 2020, after only 9 days of preparation. Ninety-six members of 29 facilities in the Wakayama region participated, including therapists who lived far from the university. Moreover, the webinar was implemented at a lower cost than a conventional meeting. An opportunity was provided to share information among participants, speakers, instructors, and a supervisor after the presentations. The overall level of satisfaction of participants after the webinar was high. DETAILS: The rehabilitation medicine department and division of Wakayama Medical University Hospital, which consists of physiatrists and registered therapists, proposed that the Wakayama Physical Therapy Association hold an urgent webinar for therapists in the Wakayama region. The webinar (120 min in duration) comprised an overview of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the significance of rehabilitation therapy for COVID-19 patients, instruction in personal protective equipment, and case reports on COVID-19 patients from an affiliated university hospital. The webinar was held on May 16, 2020, after only 9 days of preparation. Ninety-six members of 29 facilities in the Wakayama region participated, including therapists who lived far from the university. Moreover, the webinar was implemented at a lower cost than a conventional meeting. An opportunity was provided to share information among participants, speakers, instructors, and a supervisor after the presentations. The overall level of satisfaction of participants after the webinar was high. CONCLUSION: This webinar for therapists in local facilities was held by physiatrists and therapists at Wakayama Medical University, a regional core hospital, in collaboration with the regional therapy association. The preparation time was only 9 days and the cost was lower than that for a conventional meeting, thereby allowing participants to share information about infection control for COVID-19 in an efficient and cost-effective manner.