Clinicians' Perspectives of a Novel Home-based Multidisciplinary Telehealth Service for Patients with Chronic Spinal Pain

Authors

  • Michelle A. Cottrell School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA Center for Research Excellence in Telehealth, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, AUSTRALIA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7300-1467
  • Anne J. Hill School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA Center for Research Excellence in Telehealth, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA
  • Shaun P. O'Leary School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, AUSTRALIA
  • Maree E. Raymer State-wide Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Screening Clinic & Multidisciplinary Service, Metro North Hospital & Health Service, AUSTRALIA
  • Trevor G. Russell School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA Center for Research Excellence in Telehealth, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2018.6249

Abstract

Chronic spinal pain conditions can often be successfully managed by a non-surgical, multidisciplinary approach, however many individuals are unable to access such specialised services within their local community. A possible solution may be the delivery of care via telerehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate clinicians’ perspectives on providing clinical care via telerehabilitation during the early implementation of a novel spinal telerehabilitation service.  Eight clinicians’ were recruited, completing surveys at four separate time points. Confidence in providing treatment via telerehabilitation significantly improved with time (?2(3)=16.22, p=0.001). Clinicians became significantly more accepting of telerehabilitation being a time- (?2(3)=11.237, p=0.011), and cost-effective (?2(3)=9.466, p=0.024) platform in which they could deliver care. Overall satisfaction was high, with technology becoming easier to use (p=0.026) and ability to establish rapport significantly improved with experience (p=0.043). Understanding clinicians’ perspectives throughout the early implementation phase of a new telerehabilitation service is a critical component in determining long-term sustainability. 

  

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Published

2018-12-11

How to Cite

Cottrell, M. A., Hill, A. J., O’Leary, S. P., Raymer, M. E., & Russell, T. G. (2018). Clinicians’ Perspectives of a Novel Home-based Multidisciplinary Telehealth Service for Patients with Chronic Spinal Pain. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 10(2), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2018.6249

Issue

Section

Clinical Applications