Evaluating the impact of a novel telerehabilitation service to address neurological, musculoskeletal, or coronavirus disease 2019 rehabilitation concerns during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction A novel telerehabilitation service provides wayfinding and self-management advice to persons with neurological, musculoskeletal, or coronavirus disease 2019 related rehabilitation needs. Method We utilized multiple methods to evaluate the impact of the service. Surveys clarified health outcomes (quality of life, self-efficacy, social support) and patient experience (telehealth usability; general experience) 3-months post-call. We analysed associations between, and within, demographics and survey responses. Secondary analyses described health care utilization during the first 6 months. Results Sixty-eight callers completed the survey (42% response rate). Self-efficacy was significantly related to quality of life, interpersonal support and becoming productive quickly using the service. Becoming productive quickly was significantly related to quality of life. Education level was related to ethnicity. Survey respondents’ satisfaction and whether they followed the therapist's recommendations were not significantly associated with demographics. Administrative data indicated there were 124 callers who visited the emergency department before, on, or after their call. The average (SD) frequency of emergency department visits before was 1.298 times (1.799) compared to 0.863 times (1.428) after. Discussion This study offers insights into the potential impact of the telerehabilitation service amidst pandemic restrictions. Usability measurements showed that callers were satisfied, corroborating literature from pre-pandemic contexts. The satisfaction and acceptability of the service does not supplant preferences for in-person visits. The survey sample reported lower quality of life compared with the provincial population, conflicting with pre-pandemic research. Findings may be due to added stressors associated with the pandemic. Future research should include population-level comparators to better clarify impact.

Telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the determinants of satisfaction for chronic diseases? a retrospective study

“…The results corroborate the high level of satisfaction with telerehabilitation in chronic conditions ( 28 – 33 ). These results corroborate that tele-rehabilitation not only provides access to rehabilitation programs, but also reinforces participant-centered treatment, adherence to rehabilitation and lifestyle changes over time ( 34 ).…”

Effect of a Multicomponent Intervention with Tele-Rehabilitation and the Vivifrail© Exercise Programme on Functional Capacity after Hip Fracture: Study Protocol for the ActiveFLS Randomized Controlled Trial

“…These interventions are based on multiple factors related to functional recovery after a hip fracture, including biological characteristics such as age, sex, comorbidities, cognitive status, nutritional state and biochemical parameters [ 12 ]. Nowadays, social support is also significantly associated with this recovery [ 13 ], so tele-rehabilitation may provide essential support in this context [ 14 ].…”

The Impacts and Vulnerabilities for People Living with Spinal Cord Injury and Their Service Systems of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Queensland, Australia

“…For people with SCI, this has curtailed routine healthcare, rehabilitation, and outpatient services, with earlier discharge from inpatient rehabilitation for people who are COVID-negative and suspended or temporarily reduced admissions [4,6,7]. Te use of telemedicine/telerehabilitation and home care has increased to support people at home [4,8], but further evidence is required to assess comparability with inperson consultations across a range of clinical interactions [9,10]. Additionally, changes in service delivery and system capacity have negatively impacted on social and mental wellbeing of staf and the social contact between people with SCI, their families, and health professionals [4].…”