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Objective(s)
To describe therapists' (PT, OT, SLP, RT) attitudes and beliefs of telerehabilitation
at the international level.
Data Sources
Medline, NARIC, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Limits
were not placed on year, language, or publication type. The systematic search strategy
was implemented 2/29/20 and was updated 6/29/20.
Study Selection
Study titles and/or abstracts were screened by the first author using the Rayyan web
application. Following the screening, full-text articles were read by the first author
to determine eligibility. The second author reviewed rejected studies using Rayyan
and consensus was reached on selected studies. Studies were selected if they used
interviews or focus groups, included at least one or more rehab professions in the
sample, and addressed attitudes toward telerehabilitation as a service delivery model.
Of the 1,039 unique results, 961 studies failed to meet the inclusion criteria after
screening. Seventy-eight studies were selected for full-text review. Nine studies
met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-synthesis.
Data Extraction
Data were extracted and coded by the first author according to the methods described
by Thomas and Harden (2008). Extraction and coding were confirmed by peer debreifing
sessions with the second and third authors. Study quality was assessed using the Critical
Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the level of evidence was assessed using the
Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision (LEGEND) guidelines.
Data Synthesis
Primary themes centered on the importance of communication, the telerehab envrionment,
and the role of technology and connectivity. Clinicians' overall views of TR were
generally “positive with reservations,” which corresponded to clinician inexperience
with telerehabilitation.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that clinician perceptions of telerehabilitation are
similar across disciplines, with views generally being positive. Less experienced
clinicians were more likely to have reservations about telerehabilitation, indicating
a need for more education and training. The overall strength of recommendation is
moderate. It is recommended that these themes be utilized to increase clinician acceptance
of telerehabilitation.
Author(s) Disclosures
There are no relevant author disclosures.
Keywords
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Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
