On "Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is Telerehabilitation the Answer?" Turolla A, Rossettini G, Viceconti A, Palese A, Geri T. Phys Ther. 2020;100:1260-1264.

The telerehabilitation article by Turolla et al published under advance access states that the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) “has recommended that its member organizations postpone treatments considered not urgent in order to ensure safety, still guaranteeing the essential rehabilitation services.” We wish to correct this statement, as this is not a recommendation made by WCPT. WCPT acknowledges that each country or territory has its own response to COVID-19, and we have guided physical therapists to information from their national governments, infection control bodies, and professional associations. In the absence of national guidance, individuals have been directed to the advice of the World Health Organization.

Furthermore, Turolla et al refer to a position statement from WCPT on telerehabilitation, indicating that this statement has come about because of the current pandemic; however, this is not correct. WCPT worked in collaboration with the International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities (INPTRA) over the past 3 years on a taskforce that jointly produced a report on the future of digital physical therapist practice. It is fortunate that it was available for publication as the pandemic emerged.

Changes in physical therapist education, practice, and service delivery have been necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we commend the rapid, measured, and responsive way the global profession has responded. The role of telerehabilitation has become a focus for many, and a viable solution for offering a range of services. Although this is already part of service delivery in some countries, we have seen other national professional associations and regulatory bodies working to support changes that permit and recognize the role of digital health strategies and services.

WCPT, now called World Physiotherapy, is providing a global hub of resources to support the physical therapy profession in its response to COVID-19, and we direct people to it: https://world.physio/resources/covid-19-information-hub