Tele-physiotherapy in Nigeria: perceived challenges by physiotherapists to its implementation

Odole, Adesola C.; Odunaiya, Nse A.; Ojo, Oluwatobi D.; Afolabi, Khadijah Olatoun

doi:10.1504/ijtmcp.2015.069763

Cited by 24 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Appropriate devices and gadgets and accessibility to excellent Internet connections both on the part of the clinician and also the patient have served as a substantial limiting factor to the progress of telerehabilitation in these countries. Odole et al [ 27 ] (2015) reported six perceived challenges to telerehabilitation by Nigerian physiotherapists, which were inadequate and underdeveloped infrastructure, the context of ethical issues, training of physiotherapists/patients’ literacy need, physiotherapy-patient’s contact, cultural issues, and financial implications. Similarly in India, there has been a limited report of studies which have examined the efficiency of telerehabilitation [ 28 ].…”

Section: Costs and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging challenges in meeting physiotherapy needs during COVID-19 through telerehabilitation

Aderonmu

2020

Bull Fac Phys Ther

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Background Physiotherapy plays a significant role in rehabilitation. However, the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a big challenge to its practice, especially regarding the level of contact with patients. There is a dire need for the exploration of rehabilitation options, other than in-person contacts, to limit the spread of the virus. This article explores telerehabilitation, its outcomes, and the challenges involved in the continuum of care of patients by physiotherapists in the face of the pandemic. Body Telerehabilitation is a vital tool which utilizes technology to link practitioners to patients. With its previous history of favorable outcomes for the rehabilitation of certain conditions, telerehabilitation has been widely recommended. However, issues exist on how well it can bridge the gap of physical touch in physiotherapy, its effectiveness in terms of outcomes and satisfaction across various conditions and large population sizes, and finally, its cost and effects, especially in developing countries. Conclusion Telerehabilitation is a necessary adaptation to ensure continued physiotherapy service delivery during the pandemic. However, more quality studies are recommended to evaluate its effectiveness and outcomes. Also, measures to ensure that developing countries are catered for in meeting the rising demands for physiotherapy services using telerehabilitation should be carried out.

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Section: Costs and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging challenges in meeting physiotherapy needs during COVID-19 through telerehabilitation

Aderonmu

2020

Bull Fac Phys Ther

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“…PT–patient physical contact is considered a challenge to telerehabilitation use [ 14 ]. Even though there are highly sophisticated telerehabilitation systems, such as the Australian eHABTM system, which combines real-time videoconferencing and accurate remote diagnosis compatible with conventional face-to-face intervention outcomes, an adequate alternative for hands-on skills has not been found [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To address the identified challenges, previous studies have recommended that governments should design pragmatic policies to promote telerehabilitation services [ 14 , 19 , 20 ]. It is imperative to understand the perspectives of healthcare providers regarding the implementation of telerehabilitation to ensure the long-term use of such systems [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiotherapists’ perceptions of and willingness to use telerehabilitation in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic

Albahrouh

Buabbas

2021

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak

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Background Telerehabilitation has been considered a suitable alternative healthcare delivery system during the COVID-19 outbreak, and many studies have promoted its feasibility in delivering physical care to patients who live with pain and disability. Physiotherapists’ perceptions and willingness are two key factors that influence the provision of remote physiotherapy. Aim To investigate physiotherapists’ perceptions of and willingness to use telerehabilitation in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the barriers that may hinder the use of telerehabilitation in this sector. Methods The following methods were used: (1) a cross-sectional survey and (2) face-to-face semi-structured interviews. In the cross-sectional survey, an electronic questionnaire was sent to 747 physiotherapists who were working in the governmental health sector. The questionnaire included four sections: perceptions of telerehabilitation, comfort with technology, willingness to use telerehabilitation, and barriers to using telerehabilitation. Six interviews were conducted with physiotherapy managers to explore the barriers and facilitators of telerehabilitation practice. Data analysis In this study, descriptive data analysis was conducted, and a cross-tabulation technique was used to find the associations between the variables, in which chi-square tests were used to identify the significance of the results, where p < 0.05. Thematic content analysis was used for the interviews. Results Only 273 completed questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 36.5%. Most of the respondents (237; 86.8%) considered telerehabilitation a viable option to deliver healthcare to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the lack of information and communication technology (ICT) (156; 57.1%), 89% (243) of the respondents were willing to integrate telerehabilitation into their conventional practice, as cultural and social norms were not against the use of telerehabilitation systems. The results indicate that the more the physiotherapists used the internet and email in their work and the more comfortable they were with technology, the more willing they were to use telerehabilitation systems (p = 0.01). The physiotherapy managers reported that patients’ privacy and the confidentiality of their data were considered barriers. Conclusion In Kuwait, physiotherapists show overall positive perceptions towards and a willingness to use telerehabilitation to facilitate patients’ access to physiotherapy services. There are several barriers to employing telerehabilitation. Accordingly, recommendations are suggested.

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“…Clinically, telerehabilitation can include assessment, monitoring, prevention, intervention, supervision, education, consultation, and counseling ( Richmond et al, 2017 ). This method of rehabilitation service delivery is suitable for patients who live at a distance and therefore find it difficult to attend clinic regularly due to the time and cost of travel Adhikari et al, 2020 ; Odole et al, 2015 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though tele-physiotherapy has been proven effective for several medical conditions in different parts of the world, its usage by physiotherapists in Nigeria is low. This is due to cultural barriers and financial factors ( Odole et al, 2015 ). Notwithstanding, some studies in Nigeria have shown the effects of tele-physiotherapy on orthopedic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis ( Adhikari et al, 2020 ; Odole et al, 2014) and low back pain ( Adhikari et al, 2020 ; Mbada et al, 2019 ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Development and Feasibility Testing of Video Home Based Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors in Resource Limited Settings

et al. 2020

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Tele-physiotherapy has been shown to be valuable to improve clinical outcomes after stroke. Yet, home-based interventions for stroke survivors (SSVs) who speak indigenous African languages are sparse. This study developed a video-based home exercise programme (VHEP) for SSV speakers of Yoruba. A qualitative descriptive pilot study was conducted in two phases: development and feasibility testing. VHEP development followed the American Stroke Association’s recommendations to include demonstrations of task-specific mobility-task and postural training; trunk exercises, and overground walking. The exercise instructions were presented in the Yoruba language. Each exercise was demonstrated for five minutes on video for a total of 30 minutes. The feasibility testing involved ten consenting chronic SSVs. Each imitated the VHEP twice per week for two weeks and thereafter completed a feasibility questionnaire. Criteria for feasibility were: cost of using VHEP, recruitment rate, retention of participants, adherence to the exercises, and intervention delivery. The ten SSVs were recruited within one week, had prior home access to a video player at no-cost, adhered to the exercises as recorded, completed the 30 minute-duration for two weeks, and confirmed intervention delivery of VHEP. Most participants liked the novel use of Yoruba as the language of instruction on VHEP. The VHEP was feasible and acceptable among the studied sample of SSVs. Video based home telerehabilitation for SSVs therefore has the potential to meet the growing need for tele-physiotherapy in resource limited settings.

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Tele-physiotherapy in Nigeria: perceived challenges by physiotherapists to its implementation

Cited by 24 publications

References 11 publications

Emerging challenges in meeting physiotherapy needs during COVID-19 through telerehabilitation

Emerging challenges in meeting physiotherapy needs during COVID-19 through telerehabilitation

Physiotherapists’ perceptions of and willingness to use telerehabilitation in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic

Development and Feasibility Testing of Video Home Based Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors in Resource Limited Settings

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