Physiotherapists' perspective of telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic

Reynolds, Aisling; Awan, Nasir; Gallagher, Paula

doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104613

Cited by 28 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…A computer or tablet was the most chosen communication medium. This is comparable with previous findings that reported that physiotherapists preferred real-time methods with video technologies over other mediums [ 26 , 36 , 41 , 42 ]. Moreover, the possibilities that the technology provides to the physiotherapy process, rather than the method or technology itself, are important.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption of RP by hospitals and clinics. RP has enabled physiotherapists to continue to provide therapy to rehabilitees during the pandemic, prevent further transmission of the virus, and decrease the burden of the health system during this period [ 14 , 36 ]. Rapid implementation of RP was also observed in our study; however, we did not assess the use of RP with rehabilitators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Current State of Remote Physiotherapy in Finland: Cross-sectional Web-Based Questionnaire Study

Hellstén

Arokoski

Sjögren

et al. 2022

JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol

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Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has required social, health, and rehabilitation organizations to implement remote physiotherapy (RP) as a part of physiotherapists’ daily practice. RP may improve access to physiotherapy as it delivers physiotherapy services to rehabilitees through information and communications technology. Even if RP has already been introduced in this century, physiotherapists’ opinion, amount of use, and form in daily practice have not been studied extensively. Objective This study aims to investigate physiotherapists’ opinions of the current state of RP in Finland. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire was sent to working-aged members of the Finnish Association of Physiotherapists (n=5905) in March 2021 and to physiotherapists in a private physiotherapy organization (n=620) in May 2021. The questionnaire included questions on the suitability of RP in different diseases and the current state and implementation of RP in work among physiotherapists. Results Of the 6525 physiotherapists, a total of 9.9% (n=662; n=504, 76.1% female; mean age 46.1, SD 12 years) answered the questionnaire. The mean suitability “score” (0=not suitable at all to 10=fully suitable) of RP in different disease groups varied from 3.3 (neurological diseases) to 6.1 (lung diseases). Between early 2020 (ie, just before the COVID-19 pandemic) and spring 2021, the proportion of physiotherapists who used RP increased from 33.8% (21/62) to 75.4% (46/61; P<.001) in the public sector and from 19.7% (42/213) to 76.6% (163/213; P<.001) in the private sector. However, only 11.7% (32/274) of physiotherapists reported that they spent >20% of their practice time for RP in 2021. The real-time method was the most common RP method in both groups (public sector 46/66, 69.7% vs private sector 157/219, 71.7%; P=.47). The three most commonly used technical equipments were computers/tablets (229/290, 79%), smartphones (149/290, 51.4%), and phones (voice call 51/290, 17.6%). The proportion of physiotherapists who used computers/tablets in RP was higher in the private sector than in the public sector (183/221, 82.8% vs 46/68, 67.6%; P=.01). In contrast, a higher proportion of physiotherapists in the public sector than in the private sector used phones (18/68, 26.5% vs 33/221, 14.9%; P=.04). Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, physiotherapists increased their use of RP in their everyday practice, although practice time in RP was still low. When planning RP for rehabilitees, it should be considered that the suitability of RP in different diseases seems to vary in the opinion of physiotherapists. Furthermore, our results brought up important new information for developing social, health, and rehabilitation education for information and communications technologies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Current State of Remote Physiotherapy in Finland: Cross-sectional Web-Based Questionnaire Study

Hellstén

Arokoski

Sjögren

et al. 2022

JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol

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“…The majority of Greek PTs used it for follow-ups (68.8%). In a study conducted among PTs working in Ireland, the limited scope of the physical examination (86%) via telehealth is a significant disadvantage [11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiotherapists’ Perceptions and Willingness to Use Telerehabilitation in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

Τσεκούρα¹,

Fousekis²,

Xergia³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the healthcare system and the practice of physiotherapists. Telerehabilitation is an alternative method of delivering physiotherapy services. The aim of this study was to investigate physiotherapists' knowledge, beliefs, and willingness to use telerehabilitation in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, Greek physiotherapists completed an online survey between January and February 2022. A questionnaire was distributed via the Panhellenic Physiotherapy Association (PSF). The questionnaire involved 26 items on demographic background, use of technology, overall perceptions, the experience of telerehabilitation, and their opinion on the future of telerehabilitation. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Patras, Greece. ResultsParticipants in this study were 213 physiotherapists (female 57.7%; mean age 39.84±8 years). Most physiotherapists (n=118; 55.4%) were working in a private clinic in the areas of outpatient orthopedics, geriatrics, and neurorehabilitation. Overall, most participants (55%) reported increased use of telerehabilitation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 130 physiotherapists (n=61.3%) believed that telerehabilitation may be beneficial as a supplementary way of patient management. Greek physiotherapists made use of low-cost and easily accessible digital technologies, such as mobile phones and online meeting tools (e.g., Skype, Zoom). Although most physiotherapists (79.8%) reported that they wanted to receive more information about digital technology and telerehabilitation, only 42.1% of them did intend to work remotely after the pandemic. ConclusionMost of the participants were willing to deliver physiotherapy via telerehabilitation. Specific education and training programs need to be provided to physiotherapists during and after the pandemic. Healthcare managers should consider the use of telerehabilitation and design guidelines and policies to manage telerehabilitation practices in Greece.

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“…En personas sobrevivientes de COVID-19, la telerrehabilitación tiene el potencial de favorecer el acceso a la rehabilitación en aquellos casos en los cuales no es posible acceder de manera presencial a los servicios. Esta modalidad de atención ofrece una opción rápida y eficaz para responder a las necesidades de rehabilitación especializada que requieren estos pacientes tras el egreso hospitalario.Sin embargo,se han evidenciado algunas limitaciones para la implementacion tales como la dificultad para realizar un examen físico completo, y dificultades que tienen los pacientes, sobretodo de edad avanzada con el manejo de la tecnología (Reynolds, Awan, & Gallagher, 2021). Asi también, puede crear una desigualdad en salud en áreas donde las condiciones socioeconómicas deficientes (por ej.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Efectividad de un programa de telerrehabilitación sobre la funcionalidad y satisfacción del usuario de los sobrevivientes de COVID-19 en tiempos de pandemia (Effectiveness of a telerehabilitation program on the functionality and user satisfaction of COVI

Ribeiro

Lorca

Torres‐Castro³

et al. 2022

Retos

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Este estudio tiene por objetivo describir los efectos de un programa de telerrehabilitación en la funcionalidad y satisfacción usuaria de sobrevivientes de COVID-19 en un hospital público. Se trata de un estudio observacional, longitudinal y retrospectivo. Fueron compilados los antecedentes de veinte personas adultas usuarios de un hospital público de recursos limitados que habían ingresado a un programa de telerrehabilitación liderado por fisioterapeutas entre los meses de junio y octubre de 2020. Se compilaron las variables funcionales de capacidad funcional y fuerza de extremidades inferiores con la prueba Sit-to-Stand, el estado funcional evaluado con el Functional Status Scale, la fatiga evaluada con el Fatigue assessment scale y la independencia en actividades de la vida diaria (AVDs) evaluada con el Índice de Barthel. También fueron compilados las encuestas de satisfacción usuarias que contestaban los pacientes luego de finalizada la intervención. Posterior a la telerrehabilitación los pacientes mejoraron la capacidad funcional y fuerza de extremidades inferiores, el estado funcional, AVDs (p<0.01; rango de tamaño de efecto=-0.18;-0.40) y manifestaron una buena satisfacción usuaria. No hubo diferencias en la percepción de fatiga (p=0.33; tamaño efecto=0.08) posterior a la intervención. Se concluye que un programa estructurado de telerrehabilitación para sobrevivientes de COVID-19, resultó ser efectivo para la funcionalidad y la satisfacción usuaria de esta población. Abstract. This study’s objective is to describe the effects of a telerehabilitation program on functionality and user satisfaction of COVID-19 survivors in public hospitals. It is an observational, longitudinal and retrospective study. The background was compiled from medical twenty adult user from public hospitals with limited resources, whom had entered a telerehabilitation program supervised by physiotherapists between June and October 2020 were complied. The functional capacity variables of functional capacity and lower extremity strength with Sit-to-Stand test, the functional status evaluated with the Fatigue assessment scale and the independence doing daily life activities (AVDs) evaluated with the Barthel Index. The user satisfaction surveys that patients answered after the intervention had ended were also compiled. After telerehabilitation, patients improved functional capacity and lower limb strength, functional status, AVDs (p<0.01; effect size range=-0.18;-0.40) and expressed good user satisfaction. There were no differences in fatigue perception (p=0.33; effect size=0.08) after the intervention. We concluded that a structured telerehabilitation program for COVID-19 survivors, proved to be effective for functionality and user satisfaction of this population.

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Physiotherapists' perspective of telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic

Cited by 28 publications

References 23 publications

The Current State of Remote Physiotherapy in Finland: Cross-sectional Web-Based Questionnaire Study

The Current State of Remote Physiotherapy in Finland: Cross-sectional Web-Based Questionnaire Study

Physiotherapists’ Perceptions and Willingness to Use Telerehabilitation in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

Efectividad de un programa de telerrehabilitación sobre la funcionalidad y satisfacción del usuario de los sobrevivientes de COVID-19 en tiempos de pandemia (Effectiveness of a telerehabilitation program on the functionality and user satisfaction of COVI

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