Abstract
Background and Rationale: Health services across the
globe are being driven to consider alternative options for rehabilitation
due to an ageing population with increased incidence and
prevalence of debilitating disease [1, 2]. In Australia, rural and
remote dwelling patients can benefit greatly from a reduction in
travel and the improved access [3] provided by telerehabilitation.
Technology can be used for videoconferencing, exercise prescription,
chronic disease management, information dissemination,
peer group support and activity monitoring. Rehabilitation services
are beginning to integrate the use of technology into usual practice
but whilst there is a growing body of evidence about the efficacy
of telerehabilitation, implementation has been slow [2, 4, 5].
It is unclear whether the use of technologies and reduced face-toface
contact are acceptable to elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation
as there have been few in-depth explorations of patient
experiences of telerehabilitation, with most studies focusing on
satisfaction surveys [6].
Methods: Sixty-one elderly community dwelling adults, 32
(53%) of whom had had a recent stroke, participated in a pilot of
an individualised home telerehabilitation programme which used
a combination of face-to-face and video consults with clinicians.
The program used ‘off-the-shelf’ technologies including iPads for
videoconferencing and the use of therapeutic apps for exercise and
homework, and electronic FitBitR devices to encourage activity
[7]. A qualitative study was then conducted with thirteen participants,
three spouses and one carer via interview [8].
Results: Thematic analysis revealed five emergent themes: 1)
Telerehabilitation is convenient; 2) Telerehabilitation promotes
motivation and self-awareness; 3) Telerehabilitation allows positive
therapeutic relationships; 4) Mastering technologies used by
younger relatives is a valued aspect of telerehabilitation; and 5)
Telerehabilitation does not replace traditional face-to-face rehabilitation
therapies.
Conclusion: Telerehabilitation allows engagement of both
patient and carer with the treating team. The telerehabilitation programme
promoted self-management approaches particularly practice.
However the expectation that responsive technology support
is available may mean that health services will need to consider
ways of providing 7 day a week IT support or partner with private
telecommunication companies to implement. Current funding
models and reluctance of health services to fund telerehabilitation
using mobile devices, in particular, remain hurdles to full implementation.
globe are being driven to consider alternative options for rehabilitation
due to an ageing population with increased incidence and
prevalence of debilitating disease [1, 2]. In Australia, rural and
remote dwelling patients can benefit greatly from a reduction in
travel and the improved access [3] provided by telerehabilitation.
Technology can be used for videoconferencing, exercise prescription,
chronic disease management, information dissemination,
peer group support and activity monitoring. Rehabilitation services
are beginning to integrate the use of technology into usual practice
but whilst there is a growing body of evidence about the efficacy
of telerehabilitation, implementation has been slow [2, 4, 5].
It is unclear whether the use of technologies and reduced face-toface
contact are acceptable to elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation
as there have been few in-depth explorations of patient
experiences of telerehabilitation, with most studies focusing on
satisfaction surveys [6].
Methods: Sixty-one elderly community dwelling adults, 32
(53%) of whom had had a recent stroke, participated in a pilot of
an individualised home telerehabilitation programme which used
a combination of face-to-face and video consults with clinicians.
The program used ‘off-the-shelf’ technologies including iPads for
videoconferencing and the use of therapeutic apps for exercise and
homework, and electronic FitBitR devices to encourage activity
[7]. A qualitative study was then conducted with thirteen participants,
three spouses and one carer via interview [8].
Results: Thematic analysis revealed five emergent themes: 1)
Telerehabilitation is convenient; 2) Telerehabilitation promotes
motivation and self-awareness; 3) Telerehabilitation allows positive
therapeutic relationships; 4) Mastering technologies used by
younger relatives is a valued aspect of telerehabilitation; and 5)
Telerehabilitation does not replace traditional face-to-face rehabilitation
therapies.
Conclusion: Telerehabilitation allows engagement of both
patient and carer with the treating team. The telerehabilitation programme
promoted self-management approaches particularly practice.
However the expectation that responsive technology support
is available may mean that health services will need to consider
ways of providing 7 day a week IT support or partner with private
telecommunication companies to implement. Current funding
models and reluctance of health services to fund telerehabilitation
using mobile devices, in particular, remain hurdles to full implementation.
Original language | English |
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DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Event | Oral presentation at the Annual Conference of the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference (APSO) Combined with Stroke Society of Australasia. - Duration: 14 Jul 2016 → … |
Conference
Conference | Oral presentation at the Annual Conference of the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference (APSO) Combined with Stroke Society of Australasia. |
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Period | 14/07/16 → … |