Knowledge, Attitude and Skills of Physiotherapists Towards Tele-Rehabilitation
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: With the rapid integration of information and communication technology in healthcare, telerehabilitation has emerged as a vital tool in physiotherapy, offering an alternative to traditional care methods. This evolution necessitates an understanding of physiotherapists' readiness and capability to employ such technologies in clinical practice.
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of physiotherapists regarding telerehabilitation, to ascertain their proficiency and perceptions of its application in clinical settings.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months, post-approval of the research synopsis. Data were collected using the Telemedicine - Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude & Skills (AKAS) Questionnaire via an online Google Form from a non-probability convenience sample of 350 clinical and academic physiotherapists in Lahore. Participants had a minimum of six months of clinical experience and were aged 24 years or older. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 to interpret the survey responses statistically.
Results: Among the participants, 89.7% displayed a positive attitude toward the use of telecommunications in telerehabilitation. A significant majority (79.1%) recognized telerehabilitation as a legitimate service, with 80.6% agreeing on its efficacy in patient follow-up. Computer literacy varied, with 27.4% possessing advanced knowledge, 47.1% mediocre, and 25.4% beginner levels. Statistically significant correlations were observed between levels of computer knowledge and attendance at training programs (p < 0.05 for advanced and mediocre knowledge).
Conclusion: The study concluded that physiotherapists generally hold a positive view of telerehabilitation, recognizing its importance in the continuum of care. Nonetheless, the variability in ICT skills highlights the need for comprehensive training to fully exploit the capabilities of telerehabilitation in enhancing patient care.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Schmeler MR, Schein RM, McCue M, Betz KJIJoT. Telerehabilitation clinical and vocational applications for assistive technology: research, opportunities, and challenges. 2009;1(1):59.
Bello IS, Arogundade FA, Sanusi AA, Ezeoma IT, Abioye-Kuteyi EA, Akinsola AJJomIr. Knowledge and utilization of Information Technology among health care professionals and students in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: a case study of a university teaching hospital. 2004;6(4):e35.
Zampolini M, Todeschini E, Hermens H, Ilsbroukx S, Macellari V, Magni R, et al. Tele-rehabilitation: present and future. 2008;44(2):125-34.
Parmanto B, Saptono AJIJoT. Telerehabilitation: state-of-the-art from an informatics perspective. 2009;1(1):73.
Mani S, Sharma S, Omar B, Paungmali A, Joseph LJJot, telecare. Validity and reliability of Internet-based physiotherapy assessment for musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. 2017;23(3):379-91.
Jagos H, David V, Haller M, Kotzian S, Hofmann M, Schlossarek S, et al. A framework for (tele-) monitoring of the rehabilitation progress in stroke patients. 2015;6(04):757-68.
Larson EB, Feigon M, Gagliardo P, Dvorkin AYJN. Virtual reality and cognitive rehabilitation: a review of current outcome research. 2014;34(4):759-72.
Burdea GC, Cioi D, Kale A, Janes WE, Ross SA, Engsberg JRJIToNS, et al. Robotics and gaming to improve ankle strength, motor control, and function in children with cerebral palsy—a case study series. 2012;21(2):165-73.
Ahn JJTCR. Policy, technology, and practice in cyber charter schools: Framing the issues. 2011;113(1):1-26.
Ciccia AH, Whitford B, Krumm M, McNeal KJJoT, Telecare. Improving the access of young urban children to speech, language and hearing screening via telehealth. 2011;17(5):240-4.
Cherry COB, Chumbler NR, Richards K, Huff A, Wu D, Tilghman LM, et al. Expanding stroke telerehabilitation services to rural veterans: a qualitative study on patient experiences using the robotic stroke therapy delivery and monitoring system program. 2017;12(1):21-7.
Geisler F, Kunz A, Winter B, Rozanski M, Waldschmidt C, Weber JE, et al. Telemedicine in prehospital acute stroke care. 2019;8(6):e011729.
Jana Cason D, Kim Hartmann PhD O, Tammy Richmond MJTAJoOT. Telehealth. 2013;67(6):S69.
Hostetter M, Klein S, McCarthy DJNY, NY: The Commonwealth Fund. Taking Digital Health to the Next Level. 2014.
Tuckson RV, Edmunds M, Hodgkins MLJNEJoM. Telehealth. 2017;377(16):1585-92.
Jadoo SAA, Sulku SN, Aljunid SM, Dastan IJJoHE, Research O. Validity and reliability analysis of knowledge of, attitude toward and practice of a case-mix questionnaire among Turkish healthcare providers. 2014;2(1):96-107.
Zayapragassarazan Z, Kumar SJJoc, JCDR dr. Awareness, knowledge, attitude and skills of telemedicine among health professional faculty working in teaching hospitals. 2016;10(3):JC01.
Ullah S, Maghazil AM, Qureshi AZ, Tantawy S, Moukais IS, Aldajani AAJT, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of rehabilitation professional toward telerehabilitation in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey. 2021;27(5):587-91.
Odole AC, Afolabi KO, Ushie BA, Odunaiya NAJEJoP. Views of physiotherapists from a low resource setting about physiotherapy at a distance: a qualitative study. 2020;22(1):14-9.
Hung KN G, Fong KNJHKJoOT. Effects of telerehabilitation in occupational therapy practice: A systematic review. 2019;32(1):3-21.
Algudairi G, Al-Eisa ES, Alghadir AH, Iqbal ZAJBhsr. Patient satisfaction with outpatient physical therapy in Saudi Arabia. 2018;18:1-8.
Lawford BJ, Bennell KL, Kasza J, Hinman RSJAc, research. Physical therapists’ perceptions of telephone‐and internet video–mediated service models for exercise management of people with osteoarthritis. 2018;70(3):398-408.
Movahedazarhouligh S, Vameghi R, Hatamizadeh N, Bakhshi E, Khatat SMMJIjot, applications. Feasibility of telerehabilitation implementation as a novel experience in rehabilitation academic centers and affiliated clinics in Tehran: Assessment of rehabilitation professionals’ attitudes. 2016;2015:7-.