Telerehabilitation in Colombia: A Country Report and Qualitative Analysis During the Covid-19 Pandemic - Perceptions of Healthcare Providers and Patients

Authors

  • Sara Gabriela Pacichana-Quinayaz Physiotherapist, MSc Epidemiology. Research Group in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Universidad del Valle (GIRUV), Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO. Science to Serve the Community, SCISCO Foundation. Address: Cra 65 #12ª-06, Off. 201, Cali, CO https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1414-151X
  • Lina María Rodríguez Vélez Research Group Curriculum and Pedagogy in Higher Education (CURPES), Universidad del Valle. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO.
  • Daniel Sánchez Cano SCISCO Foundation https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5933-4802
  • Yisel Mabirlly León-Sánchez Social Worker. Research Group Curriculum and Pedagogy in Higher Education (CURPES), Universidad del Valle. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO. Science to Serve the Community, SCISCO Foundation. Address: Cra 65 #12ª-06, Off. 201, Cali, CO
  • Olga Marina Hernández-Orobio Physiotherapist, MSc Epidemiology.Research Group in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Universidad del Valle (GIRUV), Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO.
  • Maria Ana Tovar-Sánchez MD, Physiatrist. Research Group in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Universidad del Valle (GIRUV), Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO.
  • Gloria Isabel Toro Córdoba Systems Engineer, MSc Systems Engineer, PhD. Research Group Curriculum and Pedagogy in Higher Education (CURPES), Universidad del Valle. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO.
  • Francisco Javier Bonilla-Escobar MD, MSc Epidemiology, PhD (c). Research Group Curriculum and Pedagogy in Higher Education (CURPES), Universidad del Valle. Address: Calle 4b #36-00, Cali, CO. Science to Serve the Community, SCISCO Foundation. Address: Cra 65 #12ª-06, Off. 201, Cali, CO Institute for Clinical Research Education, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh. Address: 200 Meyran Avenue, Suite 300, PA 15213 Pittsburgh, US https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0224-3482

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6605

Keywords:

COVID-19, Qualitative research, Telehealth, Telemedicine, Telerehabilitation

Abstract

Given Colombia’s status as a middle-income country with healthcare challenges, leveraging telemedicine could significantly benefit hard-to-reach regions, under-resourced and underserved communities. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the country's telerehabilitation landscape, exploring the clinicians' and patients' perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic through systematic review and qualitative analysis. Sixteen therapists and three patients were identified via snowball sampling. The literature review was scarce and scattered across various topics in the country; some studies delved into specific aspects like legislative frameworks and patient outcomes from different medical specialties. The qualitative analysis demonstrates that despite the learning curve, telerehabilitation strengthens therapeutic support, enhances patient autonomy, fosters a positive patient-provider relationship, achieves treatment goals, promotes family involvement, reduces time and costs, and ensures continuity of therapy services. This study identified research gaps, challenges, and opportunities in telerehabilitation in a Latin American country. Adopting telemedicine technologies in low- and middle-income countries could significantly enhance their healthcare systems.

  

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Published

2024-06-28

How to Cite

Pacichana-Quinayaz, S. G., Rodríguez Vélez, L. M., Sánchez Cano, D., León-Sánchez, Y. M., Hernández-Orobio, O. M., Tovar-Sánchez, M. A., Toro Córdoba, G. I., & Bonilla-Escobar, F. J. (2024). Telerehabilitation in Colombia: A Country Report and Qualitative Analysis During the Covid-19 Pandemic - Perceptions of Healthcare Providers and Patients. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6605

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Section

Physical Therapy Telehealth