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Published on: October 11, 2024
Telerehabilitation in Community Stroke Services: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Current Practice and Lessons for
Elizabeth Chandler1, Charlotte Dorer2, Valerie M Pomeroy1,3
1School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, The Queen's Building, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, England, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom, 44 0 1603 593316.
Telerehabilitation in community stroke services offers efficiency and addresses service pressures when integrated as a blended approach. Personalized care and timely staff training are key to successful telerehabilitation delivery for stroke survivors.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- Stroke rehabilitation is increasingly incorporating telerehabilitation into clinical practice.
- A pragmatic evaluation of telerehabilitation in community stroke services is needed, incorporating perspectives from clinicians and stroke survivors.
- This study focused on community stroke services in the East of England.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map current telerehabilitation models and experiences in community stroke services, assessing provider and user perceptions.
- To identify practical lessons and factors enabling sustained telerehabilitation integration into routine care.
- To understand how telerehabilitation is used and perceived by healthcare providers and stroke service-users.
Main Methods:
- A two-phase exploratory sequential mixed methods evaluation was conducted.
- Phase one involved discussion groups with telerehabilitation stakeholders.
- Phase two utilized an online survey informed by phase one findings, with data integrated through triangulation.
Main Results:
- Three themes emerged: consideration of risks/benefits, individualized care, and staff support needs.
- Clinicians reported challenges with safety and effectiveness perceptions but success in building rapport.
- Key insights included potential for efficiency, addressing digital exclusion, and the need for tailored staff training.
Conclusions:
- Telerehabilitation is most effective as part of a blended approach, not a replacement for in-person care.
- Personalized approaches and appropriate clinician training are crucial for successful telerehabilitation.
- Telerehabilitation can enhance service responsiveness in demanding clinical environments.
