Tele-rehabilitation (TR) is a part of tele-health, which uses telecommunication technology to provide rehabilitation services using technologies such as smartphones, computers and social media accounts to the people with disabilities by variety of professionals (1).TR provide cost effective and quality rehabilitation services regardless of time, space, and location. It can be alternative for people with disabilities who are unable to physically visit rehabilitation centres (2).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed many aspects of people’s lives and has pushed governments to implement protective measures, such as social distancing to minimize the risk of exposure (3).To overcome this situation, World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), suggested the use of (TR) (4).
A study was conducted in Nigeria in year 2021 which showed that most respondents 43% had moderate knowledge while 41% participants had higher knowledge about (TR), which showed majority of the participants had good knowledge (5). In the last few years the rehabilitation system in Pakistan has improved to some extent (6). However, in rural areas the use of (TR) still needs more consideration (7). Thus, there is a strong stimulus to initiate (TR) in Pakistan .
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
- To determine the knowledge of tele-rehabillitation among clinical Physical therapists of Peshawar.
- To determine attitude and expectations of tele-rehabillitation among clinical Physical therapists of Peshawar.
METHODS
Study design
The study design of the research was cross sectional survey.
Study duration
The duration of the study was six months (March 2022 to august 2022).
Study setting
Clinical Physical Therapists both Government and private hospitals of Peshawar.
Sample size
Total sample size was 167. Sample size was calculated through EPI.
Sampling Technique
Convenience sampling technique was used.
Inclusion criteria:
- Physical therapists working in clinical setups.
- Those with minimum 6month experience.
Exclusion criteria:
Physical therapists who declines the consent forms.
RESULTS
The total sample size of study was 167 and the number of responses received were 117. Among 117 participants knowledge of tele-rehabilitation among the participants was n= 66(56.4%) while those who were not aware of tele-rehabilition were n=49(41.9%).
Among 117 participants n=25(21.4%) participants had low knowledge, n=25(56.4%) participants had average knowledge while n=23(19.7%) had high knowledge which means most of the participants had average knowledge regarding tele-rehabilitation. Participants with negative attitude were n= 18(15.4%), while most of the participants showed neutral attitude n=88(75.2%) and some of the participants show positive attitude n=9(7.7%) towards tele-rehabilitation. Among n=117 most of the participants n=92(78%) had low expectations, n=11(10%) had neutral expectations while n=14(12%) had high expectations regarding tele-rehabilitation.
Table shows sources of knowledge about tele-rehabilition
If you are aware then how do you get to know about TR? | ||
Causes | Frequency | Percent |
Not applicable | 49 | 41.9 |
lecture/workshop/seminar | 12 | 10.3 |
School | 1 | .9 |
Internet | 26 | 22.2 |
Hospital/practice. | 22 | 18.8 |
Other | 7 | 6.0 |
Total | 117 | 100.0 |
Figure shows level of knowledge of participants.
Table shows level of knowledge with p-value of gender, year of experience, qualification and graduate from institute
Variable 1 | Variable 2 | p-value |
Level of knowledge association with | Gender | 0.53 |
Years of experience | 0.261 | |
Qualification | 0.229 | |
Graduate from institute | 0.9 |
Variable 1 | Variable 2 | p-value |
Attitude association with
| Gender | 0.000 |
Years of experience | 0.25 | |
Qualification | 0.6 | |
Graduate from institute | 0.277 |
Figure shows level of attitude with gender, years of experience, qualification and institute of graduation.
Variables |
| Frequency(%) |
Gender | Male | 66(56.4%) |
Female | 51(43.6%) | |
|
| |
Qualification | BSPT | 2% |
DPT | 65% | |
MSPT | 29% | |
|
| |
Graduated from institutes | RMI | 26(22.2%) |
KMU | 48(41%) | |
NORTHWEST | 9(7.7%) | |
MMI | 14(12%) | |
NCS | 3(2.6%) | |
|
Table shows Demographics of participants
Figure shows level of attitude of participants.
The association between levels of knowledge with gender and years of experience, graduated from institute, qualification of participants shows no significant association. There was significant association between attitude and gender of participant as male showed more positive attitude than female. The association of attitude between years of experience, qualification, graduated from different institutes was not significant.
CONCLUSION
From this study we conclude that majority of physiotherapists working in different health care hospitals had average knowledge about tele-rehabilitation regarding it because it is not seen in practice, not included in the curriculum and technical issues. The male Physical therapists had more awareness about TR as compared to females and their source of knowledge of is due to their interaction with it in their working setups while in some it is because of internet. Most of participants had neutral attitude towards tele-rehabilitation so we concluded that tele-rehabilitation can be better option for delivery of rehabilitation services as it provides low cost quality service to people regardless of time, space and location.
REFERENCES
- Sidelil H, Demissie A, Debalke G, Tilahun B, Fikade B, Hailegebreal S. Attitude towards tele rehabilitation-based therapy services and its associated factors among health professional working in specialized teaching hospitals in Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021. 2021.
- Santos MTNd, Moura SC, Gomes LMX, Lima AH, Moreira RS, Silva CD, et al. Telehealth application on the rehabilitation of children and adolescents. 2014;32:136-43.
3.Albahrouh SI, Buabbas AJJBmi, making d. Physiotherapists’ perceptions of and willingness to use telerehabilitation in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021;21(1):1-12
- Cottrell MA, Galea OA, O’Leary SP, Hill AJ, Russell TGJCr. Real-time telerehabilitation for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is effective and comparable to standard practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2017;31(5):625-38.
- CE M, TA B, CT S, Fatoye C, Maikudi L, Fatoye FJMSE. Awareness, attitude and expectations of physiotherapy students on telerehabilitation. 2021;31(2):627-36
6.JAMIL KJJRM. World Health Organization Global Disability Action Plan 2014–2021: challenges and perspectives for physical medicine and rehabilitation in Pakistan. 2017;47:00-.
- Zahid Z, Atique S. Telerehabilitation Services in Pakistan: A Rehabilitation Professional’s Perspective. Nursing Informatics 2016: IOS Press; 2016. p. 901-2.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This thesis was only possible due to the kind support and immense help of many individuals. . Foremost, we are grateful to Almighty ALLAH for bestowing us the strength, good health and skills to complete this study. We are highly indebted to our supervisor and Vice Principal Dr Madiha Anees (PT) and co supervisor Dr Abdul Haseeb (PT) for their constant supervision and imparting their expertise and knowledge in this study, Prof Dr. Haider Darain PT, for sharing his knowledge and assessing and guiding us. Our sincere thanks to all of our colleagues who had helped us.