Supporting Collaboration in Rehabilitation Trajectories With Information and Communication Technologies: Scoping...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Despite increased health information and communication technology (ICT), evidence of improved care quality or reduced costs is scarce.
• ICT offers digital platforms for collaboration, shared decision-making, and data storage, potentially supporting patients and providers in rehabilitation.
• Key challenges remain in optimizing ICT utility and addressing the complex interactions between ICT producers and users.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of literature on how ICT facilitates collaboration among patients, providers, and other stakeholders.
• To identify current uses and challenges of ICT in fostering remote collaboration within rehabilitation contexts.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searches conducted across major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, Scopus) and repositories for unpublished studies.
• Inclusion of studies published between 2018-2022 focusing on remote ICT-mediated dialogue in rehabilitation.

Main Results:

• Screening of 3206 papers identified only 3 eligible studies.
• Reported outcomes included improvements in activity, participation, self-efficacy, and stakeholder perspectives.
• Significant challenges identified: technology misfit, complexity, availability, implementation difficulties, and lack of flexibility.

Conclusions:

• ICT holds potential for enhancing communication in rehabilitation trajectories.
• A significant research gap exists regarding remote ICT-supported collaboration in healthcare.
• Barriers such as varying eHealth literacy and ICT knowledge limit access and effectiveness, particularly in high-income countries.