Telerehabilitation for New Wheelchair Evaluations: A Retrospective Study of Patient Characteristics

Authors

  • Chelsea McClammer Department of Occupational Therapy, Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington, USA
  • Elizabeth A. Choma Department of Physical Therapy, Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington, USA
  • Richard M. Schein Senior Research Health Scientist, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Mark R. Schmeler Associate Professor / Vice-Chair for Clinical Services & Policy, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Gede Pramana Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Jake Gliniak
  • Corey Morrow Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6630

Keywords:

Health services research, Telerehabilitation, Wheelchair evaluations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to describe the clinical and personal factors of persons with disabilities (PwD) seeking a new wheelchair evaluation via telerehabilitation compared to in-person appointments. This retrospective cohort analysis used the Functional Mobility Assessment and Uniform Dataset, which is a nationwide registry with ongoing enrollment at 31 clinical sites of PwD seeking a new wheelchair evaluation. PwD were stratified into either a Telerehabilitation Group or In-Person Group. There were 1,669 PwD in the Telerehabilitation Group and 10,284 in the In-Person Group. The Telerehabilitation Group had a higher mean age and higher percentage of Progressively Acquired Disabilities than the In-Person Group. This project lays the groundwork for future comparative effectiveness studies, which may influence telerehabilitation reimbursement policies for wheelchair services.

  

Author Biography

Jake Gliniak

 

 

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Published

2024-06-28

How to Cite

McClammer , C., Choma, E. A., Schein, R. M., Schmeler, M. R., Pramana, G., Gliniak, J., & Morrow, C. (2024). Telerehabilitation for New Wheelchair Evaluations: A Retrospective Study of Patient Characteristics. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6630

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Remote Wheelchair Assessment

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Chelsea McClammer OTDS,BS, Elizabeth A. Choma, PT, DPT, Richard M. Schein, PhD, MPH, Mark R. Schmeler, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, Gede Pramana, PhD, Jake Gliniak, Corey Morrow, PhD, MOT, OTR/L

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