Online Physical Therapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped society, forcing a breakthrough in digital transformation. Adaptation to the new reality has led to the constant use of online technology in all instructional-educational and therapeutic school activities. The physiotherapy activity also had to change. The parents suddenly became active and responsible in the child's therapeutic activity. Physiotherapists have reconfigured their therapy methods so that students can continue their therapeutic activity outside the school of physiotherapy. Material and method: The study was conducted in the school year 2020- 2021. The research is quantitative based on a questionnaire on a sample of convenience (n = 45). The research included parents whose children were included in the physical therapy program. Results: The less used Internet connection tool was the computer. It should be emphasized that, beyond the opportunities offered by technology, the most preferred form of communication is face-to-face: 71% stated that they strongly and very much prefer this channel of collaboration. Beyond face-to-face communication, the most preferred communication channels are the video type: recordings of the therapist explaining the session to be performed or the use of online platforms, such as Zoom. Conclusion: For approximately one in three participants in the research, the implementation of therapeutic tasks with the child at home during the Covid-19 pandemic was considered to be largely and to a large extent difficult.