Staff perspectives on the key elements to successful rapid uptake of telerehabilitation in medium‐sized public hospital physiotherapy departments

Staff perspectives on the key elements to successful rapid uptake of telerehabilitation in medium‐sized public hospital physiotherapy departments

Background and purpose During the COVID‐19 pandemic, hospital physiotherapy departments transitioned to telerehabilitation to ensure continuity of care for patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the key elements to successful, rapid uptake of telerehabilitation in medium‐sized public ho...

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Published in:Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. e1991 - n/a
Main Authors: Ross, Megan H., Nelson, Mark, Parravicini, Vicki, Weight, Matthew, Tyrrell, Ryan, Hartley, Nicole, Russell, Trevor
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01-07-2023
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
COVID-19
Female
Hospitals, Public
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pandemics
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Department, Hospital
physiotherapy
Qualitative Research
SARS-CoV-2
telehealth
Telerehabilitation
Young Adult
COVID‐19
physiotherapy
telehealth
telerehabilitation
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Summary:Background and purpose During the COVID‐19 pandemic, hospital physiotherapy departments transitioned to telerehabilitation to ensure continuity of care for patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the key elements to successful, rapid uptake of telerehabilitation in medium‐sized public hospital physiotherapy departments in response to COVID‐19. Methods This study used a qualitative design. Physiotherapists who delivered telerehabilitation consultations during the COVID‐19 restriction period in two Brisbane public hospital physiotherapy departments were eligible to participate in semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Results Twenty‐five physiotherapists (22–60 years of age; 68% female) with 1–40 years of clinical experience provided insights into their perceptions of the rapid uptake of telerehabilitation in the provision of clinical care. Physiotherapists worked across musculoskeletal outpatient (72%), inpatient, community, paediatrics and pelvic health departments. Qualitative analyses in relation to the physiotherapist perceptions of the key elements of rapid transition to telerehabilitation, revealed four key themes underpinning success: (1) ‘it requires a whole team approach’, (2) ‘technology issues will be encountered and can be overcome’, (3) ‘optimise the situation while understanding the differences’ and (4) ‘modifying your approach doesn't imply inferior quality of care’. Conclusion Rapid implementation of telerehabilitation in a hospital setting is possible, and is facilitated by organisational, administrative and management support, willingness of physiotherapists to adopt, shared learning experience, quality software and connection, availability of equipment and space and optimised systems and processes. Key factors facilitating successful telerehabilitation consultations include effective communication, demonstration, involving a third party to help, and clients who are well prepared and willing to engage.
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ISSN:1358-2267
1471-2865
1471-2865
DOI:10.1002/pri.1991