Role of physiotherapy in disaster management

Abstract

quotROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT newlineSubmitted by: Navjyotkumar S Trivedi, PhD Scholar, RK University newlineSupervised by: Dr. Priyanshu V. Rathod, PhD, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, RK newlineUniversity newlineKeywords: Physiotherapy, Disaster management, Preparedness, Response, newlineRehabilitation newlineBackground: A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts newlinethe functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and newlineeconomic or environmental losses that exceed the community s or society s newlineability to cope using its resources. Disasters result in immediate, significant loss newlineof life and long-term physical impairments such as spinal cord injuries (SCI), newlinetraumatic brain injuries (TBI), amputations, fractures, and peripheral nerve newlineinjuries; related mental health conditions including situational anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder occur concomitantly. In addition to acute injuries, newlinepersons also suffer exacerbations of pre-existing chronic health problems and newlinedisabilities. It was found that many of the principal non-governmental newlineorganisations (NGOs) providing disaster relief do not include physiotherapists newlineas part of their healthcare teams. As after the literature review, it was found that newlinethere are limited studies which show the role of physiotherapy in disaster newlinemanagement. newlineAim: The aim of the study to find the role of physiotherapy in Disaster newlinemanagement. newlineMaterials and Methods: Qualitative design research guided through newlineinterpretive phenomenology was done. The method included an in-depth newlineinterview and semi-structured questionnaire for collection of information from newlineparticipants. Data was collected through the In-depth interview (N=9) and openended questionnaire (N=12). Data was collected from Physiotherapists, other newlineHealthcare personals like Physician and Nurses who had worked in Disaster. newlineAll data was transcribed on Otranscribe and Data was analysed by qualitative newlineanalysis latest software Atlas.ti7, version 7.5.7(2012) newlineNavjyot Trivedi v newlineResults and Discussion: 21 transcripts were analysed. The resul