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

Digital Health, 2022 · DOI: 10.1177/20552076221101684 · Published: January 1, 2022

Patient Experience Healthcare Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

This study evaluated a new telerehabilitation service offering guidance and advice for individuals with neurological, musculoskeletal, or COVID-19-related rehabilitation needs during the pandemic. The study used surveys to assess health outcomes (quality of life, self-efficacy, social support) and patient experience (telehealth usability) three months after the call. It also analyzed healthcare utilization in the six months following the call. The results showed that callers were generally satisfied with the service and found it usable, but their quality of life was lower compared to the general population, possibly due to pandemic-related stress.

Study Duration

6 Months

Participants

162 callers eligible, 68 responded to survey

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Callers were generally satisfied with the telerehabilitation service and found it usable, corroborating pre-pandemic literature.
2
Survey respondents reported lower quality of life compared to the provincial population, potentially due to pandemic-related stressors.
3
Self-efficacy was significantly related to quality of life, interpersonal support, and becoming productive quickly using the service.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the mid-term impacts of a novel telerehabilitation service during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on patient experience, health outcomes, and health service utilization. The service was found to be usable and acceptable to callers, with satisfaction levels aligning with pre-pandemic studies; however, preferences for in-person visits remained. While callers showed comparable levels of social support and self-efficacy, their quality of life was lower than pre-pandemic population comparators, suggesting potential pandemic-related impacts.

Practical Implications

Service Delivery

Telerehabilitation can be a valuable tool during pandemics to maintain access to rehabilitation services when in-person visits are limited.

Focus on Self-Efficacy

Efforts should be made to enhance self-efficacy through self-management and wayfinding advice, as it is linked to improved quality of life.

Further Research

Future research should include population-level comparators to clarify the impact of telerehabilitation services on quality of life during pandemics.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of control groups for comparison.
2
Inability to connect the issues callers contacted the service for with the issues for which they visited the ED.
3
Potential selection bias due to non-responder characteristics.

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