The advent of home-based rehabilitation services, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought forth new challenges and opportunities for healthcare providers. A recent qualitative evidence synthesis titled Factors that influence the provision of home-based rehabilitation services for people needing rehabilitation: a qualitative evidence synthesis provides valuable insights into these dynamics. This blog aims to distill key findings from the research to help practitioners improve their skills and encourage further research in this area.
Key Findings from the Research
The synthesis included 223 studies, with a sample of 53 analyzed in detail. These studies spanned both high-income and low-to-middle-income countries and focused on in-person home-based rehabilitation, home-based telerehabilitation, or both. Here are some critical takeaways:
- Convenience and Accessibility: Patients find home-based services more convenient and less disruptive to their daily lives. This convenience can empower patients and encourage self-management.
- Privacy Concerns: While exercising at home offers increased privacy, the visibility of one's home life to others during telerehabilitation sessions can be a concern for patients and family members.
- Support and Communication: Effective home-based rehabilitation requires robust support from both providers and family members, as well as clear communication between all parties involved.
- Transition Challenges: Moving from hospital-based to home-based services can be challenging, requiring adjustments in both the physical and emotional environment.
- Practical Issues in Telerehabilitation: Assessing the correctness of exercises performed by patients and dealing with interruptions from family members can be problematic. There are also issues related to equipment, infrastructure, and digital usability.
- Cost and Affordability: While telerehabilitation can be cost-saving for patients, providers have mixed opinions about its cost-efficiency for their practice.
- Relationship Dynamics: Telerehabilitation can alter the nature of patient-provider relationships. Some patients find it easier to communicate, while others feel abandoned.
- Need for Personalization: Both in-person and telerehabilitation services need to be tailored to individual patient needs and circumstances.
Implementing the Findings
Practitioners can leverage these findings to enhance their home-based rehabilitation services. Here are some actionable steps:
- Enhance Communication: Develop clear communication channels to ensure that both patients and their families understand the rehabilitation process and expectations.
- Provide Support: Offer robust support systems for patients, including regular check-ins and emotional support, to ease the transition from hospital to home-based services.
- Address Privacy Concerns: Implement measures to protect patient privacy during telerehabilitation sessions, such as secure communication platforms and guidelines for family involvement.
- Invest in Training: Ensure that both providers and patients are adequately trained in using digital technologies to minimize usability issues and frustrations.
- Personalize Care: Tailor rehabilitation plans to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each patient, taking into account their home environment and available resources.
- Evaluate Cost-Efficiency: Continuously assess the cost-efficiency of telerehabilitation services to ensure they are sustainable for both patients and providers.
Encouraging Further Research
While this synthesis provides a comprehensive overview, there is always room for further research. Practitioners are encouraged to delve deeper into specific aspects that affect their practice. Questions such as how to best train patients in using digital tools, or how to balance in-person and remote sessions, are ripe for exploration.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Factors that influence the provision of home-based rehabilitation services for people needing rehabilitation: a qualitative evidence synthesis.
