PHYSIOTHERAPIST TRAINING AND INTENSIVE CARE DURING THE SARS-COV-2 PANDEMIC: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

Objective: the objective was to outline the professional profile of physiotherapists working in intensive care during the pandemic and to analyze how well their undergraduate courses met the needs of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Method: the study was exploratory and data were collected through an electronic instrument, containing closed and objective questions. The study included 19 physical therapists who worked, between March 2020 and March 2022, in ICUs in the care of patients infected with COVID-19, from public and private hospitals located in the region of the Regional Health Department (DRS) IX of the state of São Paulo. Data analysis was performed by statistical study using the "Microsoft Excel" program. Results: it was possible to observe that in the training of physiotherapists, there is a very large divergence in relation to the fulfillment and durability of internships in the area of cardiorespiratory and that the professionals had a postgraduate degree in the specific area and previous experience. It was possible to identify weaknesses in their training. Conclusion: the undergraduate course in physiotherapy partially met the needs of the labor market during the pandemic. The National Curriculum Guidelines (DCNs) do not ensure equity in the implementation of the different curricula and thus the training of professionals does not respond, in a way, to the demands of the services of the Unified Health System. Specific knowledge of the area is required after completing graduation to work in intensive care.