The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the practiceof medicine. We interviewed Physical Medicine andRehabilitation (PM&R) specialist physicians providingrehabilitation services throughout Rhode Island to organizea narrative assessing the pandemic’s impact on thestate’s rehabilitation community and the responses of itsleaders. Almost half of rehabilitation providers needed tosuspend their services during the initial peak of the pandemic.Most experienced reductions in the size of theirpractices, as well as personnel issues that contributedto burnout. All physicians used telemedicine to connectwith patients. Many reported issues with accessing personalprotective equipment and providing clinical opportunitiesfor trainees. Inpatient rehabilitation policies andpractices helped to maintain access for COVID-positiveand negative patients, yet challenges were faced whenconfiguring physical space to abide by CDC social distancingguidelines and providing care without patientvisitors. Despite setbacks, the pandemic outlined opportunitiesfor improvement of healthcare organizationand delivery.
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