Tele-rehabilitation service delivery: Journey from prototype to robust in-home use

Abstract

Tele-rehabilitation refers to the use of information and communication technologies to provide rehabilitation services to people remotely in their homes or other environments. The goal is to improve patient access to care by receiving therapy beyond the physical walls of a traditional healthcare facility, thus expanding continuity of rehabilitation care. The objectives of this paper are (1) to provide data that document the service delivery implemented by ReAbility Online for the past 18 months and (2) to report on the results of a focus group of clients who took part in the service during its initial implementation. We conclude with a short discussion based on the lessons learned during the development, evaluation and service implementation process.