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EDITORIAL So many things have changed since our last Bulletin. We hope you are all adapting to the new way of working. Never would I have imagined the situation the world would be in when I was writing this piece for the last Bulletin, a timely reminder of how things can change so quickly and change we must. For the majority of us, this has been a crash course on Telehealth. It has now become part of the physiotherapist's toolkit for the delivery of our service. It has pushed many of us in a direction that six months ago, we didn't think we could do effectively - challenged our mindset, made us think outside the box. Yes, we are making history at present, and maybe the cloud of COVID brings other silver linings. Along with others this is a special interest group and we have been pushing the "exercise is medicine" mantra for a long time. Never is there a time like the present to embrace the power of exercise. In the past physiotherapy has wandered from this path bringing in other forms and adjuncts. Still, as the literature grows there is an overwhelming wave of evidence behind exercise and the current climate delivery of service, can this now be our saviour? Thankfully we are not alone in this situation, and many resources are being put out by credited sources, and this is a strength of what we do, which is always heartening to see. Even if you have done a plethora of education on Telehealth - the platforms, everyday operation and delivery continue to evolve at a rapid pace and brings new challenges but also a unique learning opportunity. Our feature article from Dr Mark Fulcher on Telehealth is another piece of excellent information. Mark kindly offers some of his learnings and some great practical tips to help us with these consultations. It's important with this new style of delivery that Physiotherapists continue to operate at our usual high standards and continue to prove our weight in gold for the health of our Nation. It is here to stay. Also in this Bulletin, Scott Piece discussed the respiratory implications for COVID 19 his article reads well to the sporting minded therapist with likening the possible outcomes from infection to some of the musculoskeletal conditions we see with shorter to more extended time frame implications. We have another excellent APP review from Emma Lattey, which is practical for a time like this when we can offer solutions to break the boredom of home isolation with spicing up the rehab plan. With the amount of DIY and home exercise going on at the moment, there are bound to be people pushing themselves above and beyond previous thresholds of activity. This can be good to see increased activity, but also as a group, we know that
steepening that curve to load can come with some risks. Auckland radiology group has provided a useful article on distal biceps tendon rupture - not an injury to be missed. Currently, this may mean that your client is referred to an emergency service, but hopefully, you have checked with your local imaging provider to see if essential imaging is available. We round off this edition with a clinical review from Amanda O'Reilly on the guidelines for exercise in pregnancy. The six specific recommendations outlined in her review provide clinically relevant and practical information for us to keep in mind when we are discussing and prescribing exercise throughout pregnancy. Finally—we leave you with “Sam’s Game” an invention by exec member Justin’s 10 year old son to keep us all entertained during lockdown. Also thanks to Olive (12) for the cover picture! If you have been around for long enough, you would know that unfortunately and fortunately for physiotherapy things have been tough in our profession before and this is no different to our current situation. What I do know is we deliver a necessary and valuable service to New Zealanders. As a mentor of mine said: "Adapt or Die" (Kudos Graeme Nuttridge). Like a phoenix to the flame, we will rise out of this and be reborn in some way shape or form, more robust, better and more resilient. Don't devalue your worth. No doubt this time will be a time we will remember for the rest of our lives. Let's make the most of it. Kind Regards Blair Jarratt SEPNZ President The Front Cover original image (and other COVID19 related images) are available under Public License here https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/images/ headers/COVID19_header_stay-home_icononly.jpg and was modified by adding a headset.
