How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected orthotic services in the United Kingdom?

Background:

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the National Health Service in the United Kingdom (UK).

Objective: 

This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on orthotic services in the United Kingdom.

Study design:

Cross sectional survey

Methods:

An online survey was distributed to UK orthotists approximately 6 months after the first peak of COVID-19. Descriptive statistics of results related to appointment waiting times, disruption of services, introduction of telehealth appointments, and clinicians' opinions on the impact of COVID-19 was completed.

Results:

Seventy-seven orthotists completed the survey, with many reporting that their service was closed or open only to inpatients/urgent patients at some point during the pandemic. There were substantial variation in appointment waiting times, time allocated per appointment, and increases in lead times for orthotic products across services. Over 90% reported using telehealth appointments. Results were comparable with previous research showing long appointment waiting times and indicated that the pandemic has added to this issue.

Conclusions:

The pandemic has had a significant impact on orthotic services with face-to-face appointments largely reserved for urgent patients and inpatients, and services going through stages of closing and reopening, alongside the introduction of telehealth to ensure less urgent patients could continue to access orthotic care. Future service evaluation studies are required to further assess how orthotic services have been affected by the pandemic and the effectiveness of recovery plans.