Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico: Experiences and roles of physiotherapists
Keywords:
rehabilitation, physical therapy, natural disaster, musculoskeletal injuryAbstract
There isn´t much literature about the involvement of physical therapists after natural disasters. In 2017, hurricane Maria brought considerable damage to Puerto Rico. This study provides evidence of the participation of physical therapists in Puerto Rico after Maria and describes the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and other health conditions arising from the event. Twelve physical therapists participated through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Physical therapists took on roles such as assisting other professions in hospitals, educating in injury prevention and helping communities. An increase in musculoskeletal injuries to hip, shoulder and back were seen, mainly from falls. After a natural disaster, physical therapists can assume different roles, but many are unaware that they can be part of the response team and how to use their skills in the midst of an emergency.
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