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It is reported that the thesis section is available, to publish abstracts of postgraduate theses in the disciplinary field. Who submits your thesis, must present the title, abstract, key words (include Occupational Therapy), and a summary of 2 to 3 pages of your thesis. And `present it in Spanish, English and / or Portuguese.

The experience of Pediatrics Occupational Therapists due to the Context of the COVID - 19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Ignacio Andrés Ramos Pantoja Universidad de Los Andes
  • Isabel Alejandra Sáez Angulo Universidad de Los Andes
  • Belén Ignacia Sandoval Brañas Universidad de Los Andes
  • Veronica Fernanda Vicencio Fossa Universidad de los Andes
  • María Fernanda Ebers Maldonado Universidad Mayor

Abstract

As a result of the pandemic, the immediate and sudden need arose in OTs to modify their intervention strategies to maintain the continuity of therapeutic processes and accomplish the sanitary measures, resulting in the implementation of Telehealth. This is why, various entities published a series of documents with recommendations and suggestions to help professionals understand and facilitate its use, including its five main components (professional, physical environment, social environment, user and technology). Objective: To describe the experience of the pediatrics occupational therapists who work in the clinical, private practice and education areas, to carry out interventions through Telehealth in Chile. Design: A phenomenological qualitative study, for finding out the experiences of pediatrics OT in Telehealth. Material and Methods: Virtual interview to pediatric OTs who work in clinic, private practice or education, and who also had implemented this modality as a consequence of the pandemic. Results: According to the participants experiences, the use of the clinical reasoning and flexibility associated with the OT personal characteristics, those of the target population and their work places, were essential to achieve personal and professional adaptation, together with identifying which were the most appropriate tools to carry on the interventions. Conclusion: Telehealth modality is considered as a creative, flexible and permanent tool and methodology, that at the same time, allows the active participation of the family members during the process. In fact, it is considered as a complement to face to face modality, and it can be used effectively and efficiently as a complement to conventional therapy. Key Words: Telehealth, Occupational Therapy, COVID - 19.