Evaluation of a Telerehabilitation System for Community-Based Rehabilitation

Authors

  • Jamie L Schutte University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology
  • Sara Gales Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
  • Ashlee Filipponi University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology
  • Andi Saptono University of Pittsburgh, Department of Health Information Management
  • Parmanto Bambang University of Pittsburgh, Department of Health Information Management
  • Michael McCue University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2012.6092

Abstract

The use of web-based portals, while increasing in popularity in the fields of medicine and research, are rarely reported on in community-based rehabilitation programs.  A program within the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Hiram G. Andrews Center, the Cognitive Skills Enhancement Program (CSEP), sought to enhance organization of program and participant information and communication between part- and full-time employees, supervisors and consultants. A telerehab system was developed consisting of (1) a web-based portal to support a variety of clinical activities and (2) the Versatile Integrated System for Telerehabilitation (VISyTER) video-conferencing system to support the collaboration and delivery of rehabilitation services remotely.  This descriptive evaluation examines the usability of the telerehab system incorporating both the portal and VISyTER. Telerehab system users include CSEP staff members from three geographical locations and employed by two institutions. The IBM After-Scenario Questionnaire (ASQ) and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ), the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), and two demographic surveys were administered to gather both objective and subjective information. Results showed generally high levels of usability.  Users commented that the telerehabilitation system improved communication, increased access to information, improved speed of completing tasks, and had an appealing interface. Areas where users would like to see improvements, including ease of accessing/editing documents and searching for information, are discussed.

         

  

Author Biography

Jamie L Schutte, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology

Jamie L. Schutte, MS, CRC, earned a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Science and Technology, concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Certificate in Assistive Technology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008.  She is now a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Pittsburgh in Rehabilitation Science and Technology with a concentration in psychosocial aspects of disability.  Ms. Schutte is currently an Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh in Rehabilitation Counseling, the Program Coordinator of a Cognitive Skills Enhancement Program, and is co-investigator on several research projects involving telerehabilitation and autism services, education, research, and training.

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Schutte, J., McCue, M., Pramuka, M., & Sporner, M. (2010, April). A model for evaluating evidence in disability and rehab research and practice. Paper presented at the National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference, Manhattan Beach, CA, USA.

Schutte, J., Pramuka, M., McCue, M., Fairman, A. D., Saptono, A., & Parmanto, B. (2009, June). Telerehabilitation web-based portal for community-based rehabilitation. Paper presented at the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA.

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Published

2012-06-06

How to Cite

Schutte, J. L., Gales, S., Filipponi, A., Saptono, A., Bambang, P., & McCue, M. (2012). Evaluation of a Telerehabilitation System for Community-Based Rehabilitation. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 4(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2012.6092

Issue

Vol.4, No.1, Spring 2012

Section

Research

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