Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Morocco

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The impact of COVID-19 on physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) services is unknown. In Morocco, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has worried the entire healthcare system. The present study intended to assess the global impact of COVID-19 on PRM patient care and training across Morocco. Setting: We conducted a web-based anonymous survey from April 15, 2020, to May 15, 2020. A 9-item questionnaire was developed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 PRM services. Participants: Practicing PRM physicians and PRM trainees. Results: About 57.5% of PRM physicians consented to participate in the survey. They are mostly based in Casablanca and Rabat. The type of activity indicates that 36% of the respondents are associated with a public institution, 43% with private institutions, 12% with a university hospital, 3% with the military hospital, and 3% with Foundations and Associations. The impact of COVID-19 over activities and the results indicate that a majority of the activities are reduced (79%) because of the prevailing pandemic, 29% is devoted toward participating in COVID-19 patient care, 25% converted to COVID-19 department. The measures undertaken for the continuity of training indicates that several ways were used to carry on training sessions of the staff. Conclusion: Considering beyond the pandemic, rehabilitation and physical medicine should be at the forefront of discussions, carriers to infrastructure, financing as well as implementing care through telehealth along with other approaches needs to end.