Covid-19 Impacts on Private Practice and Elite Sports

We interviewed Leigh McCarthy again about the impacts he has seen of Covid-19 on the private practice he works for QLD physio group and at the Gold Coast Titans

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Private Practice

How has daily life at QLD physio group had to change to accommodate each stage of the new Covid-19 laws? At the moment we are still considered an essential service, so we are still open as usual. The biggest change has been with patient interactions, there has been a definite shift away from hands-on treatment. There has also been increased safety and hygiene measures put in place for the health and safety of patients and practitioners.

Have you found it difficult to treat patients with the new guidelines? I wouldn’t say that I have found the changes very difficult. I have a strong focus on education and activity being a cornerstone of treatment. The most difficult aspect has been assuring patients that we are open and that it is safe to come in, or that they would get similar benefits from online consults. What will you get up in the time you have off now? I’m enjoying having some more time with my young family. I think we can all get too busy for the important people in our life, so it’s nice to spend time with the wife and kids while everything is a bit slow. I’ll also get out and do some mountain biking and trail running/hiking. Activities where I won’t come into contact with others. Do you foresee a lasting impact (good or otherwise) on physiotherapy as a profession when we can move back to normal life? There will be a definite impact on society as a whole I think, and physiotherapy won’t be immune to that. I think we will have a positive shift towards patients taking more responsibility for their own injuries/rehab; the advent and infrastructure around telehealth will be a big positive and allow people to potentially be treated by any physio in Australia regardless of location. Finally, I think we will see the impact of hospital physio’s getting the credit they deserve. Has QLD physio group moved into telehealth at all? Or are they just focussing on in-person clients while they can remain open? A little of both. The government and private health are slowly rolling out telehealth initiatives and making them more accessible and financially viable. This is to a select patient population though and while it may provide us with a small patient group I do not think it will become our predominant method of patient treatment.

Titans

What was it like getting the news that the season was cancelled after a gruelling pre-season of preparation? We were expecting this to happen but had hoped that it wouldn’t happen so soon. There was almost a sense of relief that a decision had finally been reached and we could begin planning for the shutdown. However, it has put lots of people out of work and will shape the game for the foreseeable future, this wasn’t an ideal way to start the year. Do you still have contact with the players while the season is off to follow up on any injuries? As head physio for the junior Titans system, I definitely still have contact with the players that are currently undertaking rehab. We have also been able to give all players home workouts through our online platform. It is the same for the seniors also. They will get a program to perform at home by themselves and the players in rehab will be able to access care via telehealth. What impact do you think this will have on the culture of the club post-virus? (good or otherwise) It will most likely galvanise the club by bringing the players and staff closer together when this is all over with and make for a closer-knit community. It will also make all involved appreciate their role within the club and hopefully ensure everyone is working to help pull the club out of this.