Doha 21 February 2022: To keep pace with the increasing demand for Physiotherapy (PT), the administration of Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) and Hamad Medical Corporation’s Physiotherapy Department have established a new female Physiotherapy-Orthopedic unit. The Outpatient facility will offer a variety of evidence-based physical therapy techniques and modalities aimed at helping female patients develop, maintain and restore maximum body movement and physical function.
The new unit, located on the first floor of QRI, features new state-of the art equipment that will be used during therapy sessions following a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan by one of the expert therapists. Tailored individual and group exercise-based rehabilitation programs offer help to patients who may be experiencing pain and mobility restriction due to disease, injury, or musculoskeletal deformity.
Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Medical Director at Qatar Rehabilitation Institute and Rumailah Hospital, explained that the growing need for these specialised services warranted the establishment of this new unit: “With growing awareness of the huge benefits of properly administered physical therapy, we have had a continued increase in the number of patients seeking help from our expert therapists. The growth in our local female patient base made it an opportune time for us to establish a female outpatient service that caters to the varied needs of our adolescent, adult and older adult patients.”
“This physical therapy facility is dedicated to female adult patients with musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions, including post-surgical or traumatic cases. It is staffed by expert female therapists, which is especially important for many of our local patients who may be more reluctant to visit a mixed male and female facility or be treated by a male therapist,” said Dr. Al-Hamad.
The unit offers physical therapy care for a wide variety of problems including musculoskeletal conditions that affects joints such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis; bones such as osteoporosis, fragility fractures or traumatic fractures; and progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorders. Exercises prescribed by Physiotherapists are specific to the problem. They are designed with specific goals and calibrated for correct frequency, intensity and duration.
Physiotherapy intervention uses principles of modern science in resolving pathophysiology of pain and movement restriction by constantly innovating, integrating research and clinical expertise supported by evidence. Therapists utilize particular outcome measures to track improvements and then reassess to see how effective the intervention was.
Ms. Noora Rashid Eisa Al-Mudahka, Chief of the Physical Therapy Department, said that the unit is designed to offer an unparalleled quality of care and service which is safe, effective, and people-centered for the people of Qatar. The skilled and knowledgeable physiotherapists are committed to provide compassionate and evidence-based therapy to each of our patients, ensuring that they have a pleasing health experience. "Through the advancement of knowledge, practice, and harnessing state-of-the-art technology, we promote optimal health outcomes for our patients who require physical conditioning following a disease or surgery, managing their chronic pain or conditions to help improve mobility, health, and even minimize the patients' reliance on excessive pain medication."
“Our main focus is on maximizing each patient’s functional potential by introducing individually tailored exercise and manual therapies, electro-mechanical and physical modalities in order to achieve pain relief that enables them to be more mobile and enjoy greater independence and quality of life. We provide a holistic approach that involves the patient and the family in clinical decision making and plan of care.” added Ms. Al-Mudahka
The facility features two Spine Rehabilitation Clinics, two Joint Rehabilitation Clinics, three Post-surgical/traumatic Rehabilitation Clinics, a Rehabilitation Gym, and an activity area for group exercise program, which are accessible from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday to Thursday.
Ms. Adrienne Amponin, Acting Supervisor of the Physical Therapy Outpatient Female-Orthopedics (FOP) Unit explained the team’s efforts to make the treatment sessions more engaging: “We conceptualized a small supervised group therapy activity for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and chronic lower back pain. Group Exercise Therapy is an effective way to get the patients motivated and start their way to a more physically rewarding lifestyle and better health. Exercise is an important component in overall health and wellbeing. The group therapy will facilitate a long-term progression of exercises that are aimed at encouraging better compliance with continuing the home exercise program. Group Exercise Therapy offers people a social setting which can ultimately improve motivation to persist with an exercise program. The activity room can also be used for patient education sessions.”
