Wheelchair Seating Assessment and Intervention: A Comparison between Telerehabilitation and Face-to-Face Service

Authors

  • Ingrid G Barlow Glenrose Rehabiliation Hospital
  • Lili Liu University of Alberta
  • Angela Sekulic University of Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2009.868

Abstract

This study compared outcomes of wheelchair seating and positioning interventions provided by telerehabilitation (n=10) and face-to-face (n=20; 10 in each of two comparison groups, one urban and one rural). Comparison clients were matched to the telerehabilitation clients in age, diagnosis, and type of seating components received. Clients and referring therapists rated their satisfaction and identified if seating intervention goals were met. Clients recorded travel expenses incurred or saved, and all therapists recorded time spent providing service. Wait times and completion times were tracked. Clients seen by telerehabilitation had similar satisfaction ratings and were as likely to have their goals met as clients seen face-to-face; telerehabilitation clients saved travel costs. Rural referring therapists who used telerehabilitation spent more time in preparation and follow-up than the other groups. Clients assessed by telerehabilitation had shorter wait times for assessment than rural face-to-face clients, but their interventions took as long to complete.

Keywords: Telerehabilitation, Telehealth, Videoconferencing, Wheelchair Seating, Outcomes, Rehabilitation

  

Author Biographies

Ingrid G Barlow, Glenrose Rehabiliation Hospital

Occupational Therapist/Clinical Researcher

Lili Liu, University of Alberta

Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy

Angela Sekulic, University of Alberta

MSc (Rehabilitation Science) student Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine

References

AlbertaGasPrices.com, Retrieved July 13, 2008, from http://www.albertagasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx

Alberta Aids to Daily Living-AADL. Service standards for Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) Program. Retrieved 16 June, 2008, from http://www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/aadl/av/manual/PDF/73a_seating_services_standards.pdf

Alberta Telehealth Business Plan 2006-2009. (2006). http://www.albertatelehealth.com/content.asp?category_id=2

Allegretti, A. L. C., Fitzgerald, S. G., Boninger, M. L., Cooper, R. A., Cohen, L., & Shapcott, N. (2003). Pelvic positioning evaluation for wheelchair selection: A comparison between in-person and videoconferencing. RESNA 26th Annual International Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.

Aoki, N., Dunn, K., Johnson-Throop, K. A., & Turley, J. P. (2003). Outcomes and methods in telemedicine evaluation. Telemedicine Journal & E-Health, 9(4), 393-401.

Broens, T. H., Huis in’t Veld, R. M., Vollenbroek-Hutten, M. M., Hermens, H. J., van Halteren, A. T., & Nieuwenhuis, L. J. (2007). Determinants of successful telemedicine implementations: A literature study. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 13(6), 303-309.

Bursick, T. M., Trefler, E., Fitzgerald, S., & Joseph, R. (2000). Wheelchair seating and positioning outcomes in the elderly nursing home population. RESNA 2000 Annual Conference Proceedings, 316-318.

Cooper, R., Fitzgerald, S., Boninger, M., Cooper, R. A., Shapcott, N., Cohen, L., et al. (2002). Using telerehabilitation to aid in selecting a wheelchair. RESNA, 2002 Annual Conference Proceedings, 327-329.

Demers, L., Weiss-Lambrou, R., & Ska, B. (2002). The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0): An overview of recent progress. Technology and Disability, 14, 101-105.

Demers, L., Monette, M., Lapierre, Y., Arnold, D. L., & Wolfson, C. (2002). Reliability, validity, and applicability of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) for adults with Multiple Sclerosis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 24(1-3), 21-30.

Demers, L., Weiss-Lambrou, R., & Ska, B. (1996). Development of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST). Assistive Technology, 8(1), 3-13.

Grigsby, J., & Bennett, R. E. (2006). Alternatives to randomized controlled trials in telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 12(Suppl 2), S77-84.

Hailey, D. (2001). Some successes and limitations with telehealth in Canada. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 7(Suppl 2), 73-75.

Hailey, D., Ohinmaa, A., & Roine, R. (2004). Study quality and evidence of benefit in recent assessments of telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 10(6), 318-324.

Hassall, S., Wootton, R., & Guilfoyle, C. (2003). The cost of allied health assessments delivered by videoconference to a residential facility for elderly people. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 9(4), 234-237.

Hjelm, N. M. (2005). Benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 11(2), 60-70.

Hughes, G., Hudgins, B., Hooper, J. E., & Wallace, B. (2003). User satisfaction with rehabilitation services delivered using Internet video. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 9(3), 180-183.

Jennett, P., Affleck-Hall, L., Hailey, D., Ohinmaa, A, Anderson, C. Thomas R. et al (2003). The socio-economic impact of telehealth: A systematic review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 9(6), 311-320.

Khoja, S., Casebeer, A., & Young, S. (2005). Role of telehealth in seating clinics: A case study of learners’ perspectives. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 11(3), 146-149.

Lemaire, E. D., Boudrias, Y., & Greene, G. (2001). Low-bandwidth, internet-based videoconferencing for physical rehabilitation consultations. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 7(2), 82-89.

Malagodi, M., Schmeler, M. R., Shapcott, N. G., & Pelleschi, T. (1998). The use of telemedicine in assistive technology service delivery: Results of a pilot study. Technology Special Interest Section Quarterly, 8(1), 1-4.

Malagodi, M., & Smith, S. (1999). Prospective role for telemedicine as a communication tool for rural rehabilitation practice. Work, 12, 245-259.

Miller, E. A. (2007). Solving the disjuncture between research and practice: Telehealth trends in the 21st century. Health Policy, 82(2), 133-141.

National Initiative for Telehealth Framework (NIFTE). (2003). http:www.ehealthstrategies.com/files/telemed_canada_guide.pdf

Nesbitt, T. S., Cole, S. L., Pellegrino, L., & Keast, P. (2006). Rural outreach in home telehealth: Assessing challenges and reviewing successes. Telemedicine Journal & E-Health, 12(2), 107-113.

Nesbitt, T. S., Marcin, J. P., Daschbach, M. M., & Cole, S. L. (2005). Perceptions of local health care quality in 7 rural communities with telemedicine. Journal of Rural Health, 21(1), 79-85.

Ohinmaa, A., & Scott, R. (2006). A costing model for videoconferencing in Alberta. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 12(7), 363-369.

Reimer, L. (2006). Telerehabilitation: Occupational therapy beyond borders. Occupational Therapy Now, 8(1), 5-7.

Russell, T. G. (2007). Physical rehabilitation using telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 13(5), 217-220.

Schaafsma, J., Pantazi, S. V., Moehr, J. R., Anglin, C. R., & Grimm, N. A. (2007). An economic evaluation of a telehealth network in British Columbia. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 13(5), 251-256.

Scott, R. E., McCarthy, F. G., Jennett, P. A., Perverseff, T., Lorenzetti, D., Saeed, A., et al. (2007). Telehealth outcomes: A synthesis of the literature and recommendations for outcome indicators. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 13(Suppl 2), 1-38.

Stalfors, J., Bjorholt, I., & Westin, T. (2005). A cost analysis of participation via personal attendance versus telemedicine at a head and neck oncology multidisciplinary team meeting. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 11(4), 205-210.

Weiss-Lambrou, R., Tremblay, C., LeBlanc, R., Lacoste, M., & Dansereau, J. (1999). Wheelchair seating aids: How satisfied are consumers? Assistive Technology, 11(1), 43-53.

Whetton, S. (2005). Successes and failures: What are we measuring. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 11(Supplement 2), 98-100.

Whitten, P., Johannessen, L. K., Soerensen, T., Gammon, D., & Mackert, M. (2007). A systematic review of research methodology in telemedicine studies. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 13(5), 230-235.

Published

2009-09-04

How to Cite

Barlow, I. G., Liu, L., & Sekulic, A. (2009). Wheelchair Seating Assessment and Intervention: A Comparison between Telerehabilitation and Face-to-Face Service. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 1(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2009.868

Issue

Section

Research