Authors (including presenting author) :
Lui BKP(1), Lai YLA (2), TsangYM(2), LamHY(2), Wong MYA(3), Chung WH(3),
Cheng KH(3), Mak PKF(1), Kng PLC(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Division of Geriatrics, M&G Department, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin
Hospitals
(2)Physiotherapy Department, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
(3)Occupational Therapy Department, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
Introduction :
COVID- 19 changed the whole world. Everyone have to live in a “New Normal” life. Many industries such as catering, tourism, aviation industry, retail, etc. were affected. In Hong Kong, though the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was comparably low, our GDH services were inevitably affected with a significant drop of 9000 attendances since its onset. To continuously provide rehabilitation services to our elders, Telecare seems to be the way out in this undesirable situation.
Objectives :
-To provide continual professional supports and remote monitoring
-To strengthen patient care and empower caregivers at home
-To increase patient or caregiver engagement in health management
-To provide personalized preventive care advices
Methodology :
-Liaise with hospital administration for the support of IT equipment.
e.g smartphone, i-pads and data plan etc as means for communication with
participants
-Collaborate with doctor and allied health colleagues on the establishment
of training program and the logistics
-Explain the care plan to patients and caregivers to obtain their consent
-Facilitate and ensure them to have access to HA GO App, both exercises
prescription and progress monitoring will be performed through the
platform by the professional team
Interventions through telecare:
-Conduct health education and drug advices
-Check on home self-monitoring technique e.g. blood pressure measurement,
blood glucose monitoring and result interpretation
-Supervise on exercise training and return demonstration
-Home environmental screening and ensure the appropriate use of home aids
-Identify risky behaviours and correct these behaviors
-Arrange fast track clinic for case with deterioration in condition
Result & Outcome :
Result & Outcome:
55 out of 98 patients with caregivers (56%) joined the pilot project
After a 3 month trial, satisfaction survey involved 65 patients and staff was conducted with 100% response rate. Mostly favorable feedback was received as the followings:
-96% patients agreed nurses had explained the service clearly
-94% patients expressed they had gained appropriate assistance
-91% patients satisfied the supported offered by the multidisciplinary team
in the training sessions
-96% patients satisfied with the overall arrangement
-84% patients claimed the operation of the telecare process was smooth
-98% patients stated the duration of the tele-service was appropriate
-100% staff commented that the practice enhanced their understanding to the
actual living environment of patients
-100% staff believed the service improved the communication amongst the
team, patient and caregivers
-70% staff thought the hospital should provide sufficient supports and
equipment to implement the service
-80% staff agreed the HA GO apps enable them in prescribing corresponding
treatment to patients effectively
-70% staff supported this mode of service delivery would become a major
trend in healthcare development
Although the multidisciplinary team had to tackle different problems in the tele-rehabilitation program especially the technical aspect in initial phase, it is a feasible way to preserve rehabilitation opportunity for our elders. Through teamwork, we were able to provide timely interventions and empowerment. Later, the use of hybrid mode to deliver training on-site alternate with telecare can be further explored to allow more flexibility for our elders.
