SCiPad: evaluating telemedicine via iPad facetime for general spinal cord injury care

Spinal Cord, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-022-00790-1 · Published: March 28, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

This study explores using iPads and FaceTime for telemedicine with people who have spinal cord injuries. The goal was to see if it's a practical way to provide care remotely. Participants used iPads to consult with doctors. Researchers then looked at how often people used the service, what issues they discussed, and whether it improved their quality of life. The study found that telemedicine is feasible and patients were generally satisfied with it. It suggests that telemedicine could be a helpful tool for managing spinal cord injury care, especially for those who live far from clinics.

Study Duration

6 Months

Participants

83 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Uncontrolled clinical pilot study

Key Findings

1
75% of participants engaged in tele-SCI visits.
2
Bladder and bowel concerns were the leading topics discussed during tele-SCI visits, followed by neurological, pain, and functional concerns.
3
Tele-SCI users resided further away and reported seeking more clinical advice compared to non-tele-SCI users.

Research Summary

This tele-SCI study contributes to the literature by examining the feasibility, impact, and acceptability of tele-SCI for the provision of routine outpatient SCI care. Over the course of this study, nearly 200 Facetime tele-SCI visits were conducted among individuals with SCI and the majority of study participants (75%) chose to engage in at least one FaceTime tele-SCI visit. Tele-SCI may offer an effective and efﬁcient approach to addressing a wide range of medical concerns and may aid proactivity in seeking and receiving health care.

Practical Implications

Increased Access to Care

Telemedicine can help people with SCI who live far from specialized clinics receive necessary care.

Improved Self-Management

Tele-SCI may encourage patients to proactively monitor their health and seek medical advice when needed.

Versatile Healthcare Delivery

Telemedicine can address a wide range of medical concerns, including bladder/bowel issues, neurological problems, and pain management.

Study Limitations

1
Reasons for non-utilization of tele-SCI were not asked as a part of the study design.
2
It is not possible to determine whether these pre-study characteristics related to tele-SCI use or to other factors not accounted for by the study design.
3
Future studies may address these concerns through larger sample sizes and randomized control study designs.

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