Tele rehabilitation is the modern way of rehabilitation using technology of video devices or internet to connect with patients and provide them with solutions to their problems. Technology has changes the way people communicate within healthcare system throughout the world.
Covid 19 has forced the world to change its ways of functioning. Social distancing is the new norm and wide spread lockdowns has been implemented to contain the spread of virus leading to stagnancy in the normal clinical functioning. It has impacted all the patients who earlier used to visit the physiotherapy clinics for their pain issues and now are forced to suffer inside homes as no movement is allowed outside. The situation is going to be somewhat same for a relatively long time. As the emergency situation is there, all the stakeholders need to promote ways which can provide solutions for such challenging times.
Telerehabilitation has been there earlier also but was mainly used to treat patients in remote areas who had no access to rehab facilities. Now the need of the hour is to promote online consultations to solve everyday queries of patients and to find innovative ways to offer pain management solutions & exercise protocols to help patients.
By using technology, we can help patients doing assessment and understanding his condition using clinical acumen, expertise. Some clinical software tools are also used to collect data from patient. We have to understand that online consultation provides ease of instant connect, immediate addressal of the problem by an expert and in majority of cases, help alleviate complete pain. online video sessions on whatssup or YouTube or customized app links can provide easy access to patients to do one to one exercises.
The rehabilitation field has been gradually integrating telecommunication tools into clinical practice. The benefits of using telerehabilitation include:
1) decreased travel, less crowding and less chances of contamination or spread of virus.
2) better clinical support in local communities;
3) improved access to specialized services, pain management
4) delivery of local health care in rural communities & remote areas
5) indirect educational benefits for remote clinicians who participate in teleconsultations
6) reduced feelings of isolation for chronic patients by doing video group therapy sessions
7) improved service stability in regions with high staff turnover; and
8) multimedia communication to video conference 2-3 specialist for multi specialty session with patient.
Patients also need to realize the importance of taking online consultations as it is the only viable option in such testing times when travel and movement outside home is restricted by government authorities. If they adhere to the guidelines and suggestions given by their physiotherapist, occupational therapist or other rehab team member, their condition can improve a lot within a short span. We have seen many times traveling , parking and movement creates lot of stress on patients with hemiplegia, paraplegia, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy. Treatment done at home under expert guidance given online through video conferencing can be a game changer for all as it reduces the cost, discomfort and improves compliance of home rehab program. Online consultations are relatively charged less and offer you advantage of high quality one to one treatment.
We also offer teleconsultations on our whatsup number +91-8146758243. Our online consultation charges are INR 300 for indian nationals and USD 50 for all international patients. You can transfer money via Google pay on 7087428243.
