A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: COVID 19 GUIDELINES FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY & FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RENEWING GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION: As a part of the essential services, Occupational therapy is based on the foundation of patient care. Occupational Therapy relies on individualized care. Some of the articles give comprehensive description for occupational therapy services during COVID 19. The review compiles various Guidelines available for Occupational Therapists METHODOLOGY: Systematic Review. RESULTS. COVID-19 guidelines for Occupational Therapy are subdivided in various headings .Some of them are Ethical Guidelines, Work flow directives Decision making tree , Determining risks, Provision of Therapeutic services, Therapist Safety Directives, Patient patients' safety Directives, Managing Care-givers, Patient Handling Directives, Patient Care Directives, Therapy Room Guidelines, Utilising Technology during COVID-19 Lock Down. Most of the guidelines imposed more on ethical issues, some have given importance to decision making tree, patient & therapist safety guidelines. As occupational therapy is client directed profession many have suggested care givers directives & use of technology for caregiver's guidance. Further this article explains the additional directives for individualized functional activity training & building work capacity. CONCLUSION: Guidelines can be effectively used by Occupational Therapy professionals. The recommendations suggested in the present article can be used for identification of the new symptoms, their effects on functional capacity & prevention of complications through safe handling & occupational therapy services.