COVID-19: emerging challenges in maintaining physical function in patients who have had haematopoietic cell transplants. (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohammed, Jaleel; Gonzales, Anne; Bakhsh, Hadeel R; Rai, Jayanti; Chigbo, Nnenna; Hashmi, Shahrukh K
• Is Part Of: International journal of therapy and rehabilitation. Volume 27:Number 9(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Graft-versus-host-disease -- Haematopoietic cell transplant -- Quality of life -- Rehabilitation; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; Medical rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.12968/ijtr.2020.0077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-1645

Abstract

Abstract : The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes COVID-19, has now spread to many countries, has forced health care systems to minimise or even suspend access to specialist services for many patients because of social distancing policies. As a result of this, many patients are not in direct, face-to-face contact with their health care specialist. This can pose a challenge, since patients who have undergone haematopoietic cell transplant can suffer from an array of complications involving various organs in the body, such as inactivity-related deconditioning and fatigue, resulting in poor quality of life. These vulnerable patients must receive continuous and individualised rehabilitation guidance to help prevent deterioration and promote optimal functioning. This paper highlights the potential challenges for patients who have had haematopoietic cell transplant in the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and proposes service development ideas to help reduce the negative impact on patients' quality of life.