The Use of Telerehabilitation Among Libyan Physiotherapists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted healthcare delivery globally, particularly affecting physiotherapy practices that rely on close patient interactions. Objectives: This study investigates the knowledge and readiness of Libyan physiotherapists to adopt telerehabilitation during the pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on a total of 109 physiotherapists who were recruited through convenience sampling from public and private hospitals, with a demographic distribution of 54 males and 55 females, aged 25 to 55 years. Results: Approximately 64% of physiotherapists reported being impacted by COVID-19. Among the participants, 67.9% indicated they had limited knowledge of telerehabilitation, whereas only 32.1% were familiar with the concept. Of those who were knowledgeable, only 57.1% had actually practiced telerehabilitation, and just 35% successfully integrated it into their patient management strategies. Key barriers to implementation included poor internet connectivity (71.6%) and high technology costs (38.5%). Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of telerehabilitation for the future of physical therapy, particularly for patients with chronic conditions. Proper staff training, robust IT infrastructure, and patient education are all essential for enhancing the quality of service physiotherapists deliver in today's evolving healthcare landscape.