Collaboration in the midst of chaos: perspectives of inpatient occupational and physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 700 million people globally, straining healthcare systems and highlighting the need for interprofessional collaboration. The aim of this study was to describe interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) experiences from the perspectives of occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) who were employed in a medical center both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study, conducted from July 2020–November 2021, delved into the lived experiences of occupational and physical therapists in an inpatient setting during the pandemic through analysis of semi-structured interviews and journal entries. The pandemic prompted fear, uncertainty, and ethical dilemmas among therapists, affecting patient-centered care. Roles expanded, and teamwork challenges emerged in defining boundaries, while communication dynamics were transformed by virtual technologies. The pandemic affected therapists’ values and ethics, and evolving roles brought expanded tasks. The crisis showcased both collaboration potential and the need to address team disparities. This study highlights the significance of values, roles, teams, and communication for occupational and physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic providing valuable insights into interprofessional collaboration’s effect on healthcare delivery in times of crisis and beyond.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• interprofessional collaboration
• longitudinal studies
• occupational therapists
• pandemic
• patient-centered care
• physical therapists

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all the participants in this study who provided care on the front lines of the pandemic.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the College of Health Sciences, University of Michigan-Flint.

Notes on contributors

Leslie M. Smith

Leslie M. Smith, PT, DPT, CCS, WCS is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint and a physical therapist with a Board Certification in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, and in Wound Management. For the past 10 years, she has been devoted to the implementation of interprofessional education (IPE) and has expertise in interprofessional education. Dr. Smith completed a IPE Fellowship at the University of Michigan Interprofessional Leadership Program in June 2017 and was elected to the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in 2022.

Ben McNulty

Benjamin McNulty, OTD, OTRL graduated from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Michigan-Flint and is currently working towards becoming a Certified Hand Therapist. For his Capstone project, Benjamin worked with LGBTQ+ youth of color in Detroit and he is dedicated to continue working with this population in the future. Before pursuing a career in occupational therapy, he owned a landscaping business for 16 years. His decision to change careers was driven by a passion to help others pursue meaningful activities that can ultimately improve their quality of life and overall health.

Emily Scroggs

Mrs. Emily Scroggs is a third-year student at the University of Michigan-Flint, pursuing dual degrees in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). She hails from an underserved locality and is passionate about researching ways to improve health equity for all, especially those living in rural areas. Mrs. Scroggs’s ultimate goal is to work in her hometown and provide healthcare services to underserved rural populations.

Amy M. Yorke

Dr. Amy Yorke is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Michigan-Flint. She received her B.S. in Health Science and Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan-Flint and her PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Western Michigan University. She is Board Certified in Neurologic Physical Therapy (ABPTS), a Distinguished Fellow with the National Academies of Practice, and a Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Scholar. Dr. Yorke is interested in further understanding interprofessional collaborative practice in both education and in the clinic.