Department of Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.
Med Princ Pract. 2022;31(2):156-164. doi: 10.1159/000523775. Epub 2022 Feb 24.
This study aimed to explore satisfaction and attitudes of patients towards the use of telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic and to report the experience of physical therapists (PTs) with the use of telerehabilitation.
A modified Telemedicine Satisfaction and Usefulness Questionnaire was used to assess the satisfaction and attitudes of musculoskeletal patients who had received telerehabilitation services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight PTs to explore their experiences with telerehabilitation, including difficulties and benefits.
Out of 53 patients who received telerehabilitation, 46 questionnaires were completed, with a response rate of 86.8%. In general, the patients were satisfied with and had positive attitudes towards the telerehabilitation services. The majority (89.2%) of the patients felt more involved in their care via telerehabilitation and a majority (93.5%) believed that video call sessions were a convenient form of telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven out of 8 PTs reported benefits of telerehabilitation (i.e., reduced patients' waiting lists and improved access to physical therapy care). Also, they were in favour of continuing using telerehabilitation to support the conventional physical therapy care, despite the lack of technological infrastructure.
The patients as well as the PTs were generally satisfied with their telerehabilitation experiences. Using telerehabilitation in Kuwait was favoured as an adjunct method during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with extensive training, optimal allocation of resources, and the development of local guidelines, telerehabilitation would become an effective mean for the health delivery system in Kuwait.
本研究旨在探讨 COVID-19 大流行期间患者对远程康复的满意度和态度，并报告物理治疗师（PT）使用远程康复的经验。
使用改良后的远程医疗满意度和有用性问卷评估在 COVID-19 大流行期间接受远程康复服务的肌肉骨骼患者的满意度和态度。对 8 名 PT 进行面对面的半结构化访谈，以探讨他们使用远程康复的经验，包括困难和益处。
在接受远程康复的 53 名患者中，有 46 份完成了问卷，应答率为 86.8%。总体而言，患者对远程康复服务感到满意且持积极态度。大多数（89.2%）患者认为通过远程康复更能参与自己的治疗，大多数（93.5%）患者认为视频通话是 COVID-19 大流行期间方便的远程康复形式。8 名 PT 中有 7 名报告了远程康复的益处（即减少了患者的候诊名单并改善了获得物理治疗的机会）。此外，他们赞成继续使用远程康复来支持传统的物理治疗护理，尽管缺乏技术基础设施。
患者和 PT 对他们的远程康复体验总体上感到满意。在 COVID-19 大流行期间和之后，在科威特使用远程康复作为辅助方法受到青睐。然而，通过广泛的培训、资源的优化分配和制定本地指南，远程康复将成为科威特卫生提供系统的有效手段。
