Jeløy Physiotherapy said they had received threats after it emerged that Russia’s Elena Kasin, 53, was asked about her attitude to the Ukraine war before she left for treatment.

On Wednesday, VG wrote about Russian-born Elena Kasin who, before she left for back treatment, was called by her therapist at Jeløy Physiotherapy.

The man who works as a physiotherapist and manual therapist himself confirmed to VG that he “asked a number of questions” about Kasin’s attitude to the Russian war in Ukraine. The therapist in question later apologized for the interrogation.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was among those who reacted to the treatment of Russian-born women in Moss.

After the incident became known, Jeløy Physiotherapy, according to a press release they sent on Thursday, received a threatening and provocative message.

They took this seriously and feared the long-term effects, they wrote.

“Unfortunately, the situation has led us – both as individuals and as a clinic – to accept incitement and threats both through social media, email and in other contexts,” they wrote.

VG has seen examples of the provocative messages they have received.

«Incitement and threats»

Jeløy Physiotherapy is a community clinic with four independent physiotherapists.

According to the Norwegian Association of Physiotherapists, the reaction to Jely Physiotherapy was very strong after the incident:

– Jeløy Physiotherapy had to close their Facebook page and have received an email that they must report to the police. This case is of course tragic for them. The clinic has three other physiotherapists involved in traction, Irene Mårdalen, communications manager at the Norwegian Association of Physiotherapists, told VG.

Guidelines violation

Mårdalen points out that it is common for physiotherapists to become self-employed renting places in clinics. Thus, a person represents himself and not necessarily the attitude of the company.

– This case has consequences for three other physiotherapists who in principle have done nothing but hire this man.

According to the communications manager, the Norwegian Association of Physiotherapists reacted strongly to the episode:

– As an association, we are very detached from the way physiotherapists treat these patients. “We have made legal considerations and believe that what he did was a violation of the Gender Equality and Discrimination Act, the Healthcare Workers Act and the Patient and User Rights Act,” Mårdalen said before he added:

– A physiotherapist cannot refuse a patient in this way. We believe that this is also a violation of our ethical guidelines.

After VG wrote about the case, the physiotherapist has criticized himself:

– I am so sorry. I lied about what had happened. All patients should be treated equally, regardless of their views and actions, the physiotherapist told VG on Wednesday night.

Offer help

Jelly physiotherapy is part of the public health service and must comply with the Health Personnel Act, which they themselves emphasized in a press release.

“Klinikken Jeløy Physiotherapy regrets that a physiotherapist associated with their clinic community has asked inappropriate questions about the patient’s views on the war in Ukraine,” they wrote.

“We believe it goes against how we as healthcare professionals should treat our patients, as well as our ethical guidelines. (……) On behalf of Jeløy Physiotherapy, we have apologized for the incident to the patient, and we have offered it
health care,” the message reads.

Prime Minister:- That’s not how we can have it

The case of Elena Kasin, who was summoned by a physiotherapist before treatment and asked about her attitude to the Ukraine war, has aroused commitment all the way to the government level.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was among those who reacted to the treatment of Russian-born women in Moss.

– I do not know the details of the case, but I have heard quite a number of stories about the experiences of children, youth, as well as adult women and men, who were faced with vile comments and comments in response to the war of the Russian leadership in Russia. Ukraine. And that’s how we can’t have it, Jonas Gahr Støre told VG on Wednesday.