Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: September | Volume: 12 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 57-61
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220908
Impact of COVID -19 on Prosthetics and Orthotics Rehabilitation in India: A Cross-sectional study
Rajesh Das1, Smita Nayak2
11Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, Kanpur, India
2Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Pandit Deendayal Upadhaya National Institute for Person with Physical Disabilities (Divyangjan), New Delhi, India
Corresponding Author: Rajesh Das
ABSTRACT
Background: Densely populated country like India is demonstrably affected by COVID- 19 in both first and second wave. The people with disability who commonly faced challenges in daily encounters were face additional difficulties due to devoid of appropriate healthcare services and suffered a lot with psychological trauma due to lack of community participation.
Objectives: This study aimed to find out the impact of COVID 19 on Prosthetics and Orthotics professional, industry, student, private practitioner and Disabled people
Methods: A web survey was conducted in India among the Prosthetist and Orthotist professional working in Government sector, Non government organizations, Private sectors approximately 3 month after the second peak of COVID 19. The descriptive data of impact of Pandemic on profession, service provider, service user and students of this profession were collected.
Results: Eighty one professional responded to questionnaire and private sector professional were significantly affected by this pandemic as compared to government employee, The service user faced remarkable difficulties and mental trauma due to restriction as well as to understand the concept of tele-rehabilitation due to lack of accessibility to technology and knowledge.
Conclusions: The rehabilitation to the person with disabilities should be in community based, technology friendly, easy to avail and cost effective. The professionals need to be prepared well in advance to face such emergency crisis and adopt the change to overcome the challenges. Use of technology and artificial intelligence may help people with disabilities as well as professionals to overcome the crisis.
Key words: Mental health, Tele rehabilitation, Assistive technology, Activities of Daily living (ADL), Social isolation