Authors (including presenting author) :
POON MC(1), CHOW HWI(1), LEUNG KLK(2), POON WYM(3), MA HMB(1), KWOK CFA(1), CHAU MWR(2), CHAN CMA(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon Central Cluster
(2) Physiotherapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
(3) Physiotherapy Department, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital
Introduction :
COVID-19 is a public health emergency of international concern. Infection control measures including global travel restrictions has been implemented to battle COVID-19, which also impacts on patient’s accessibility for department-based physiotherapy(PT) service. Efficacy of tele-rehabilitation was reported in overseas studies but local contextual evidence was scarce. Technological advancement facilitates Tele-care PT services as new options for patients to receive home-based PT intervention including condition monitoring, prescription/monitoring of therapeutic exercises, and timely home care/advices in meeting patient’s needs especially amid pandemic. Tele-care PT services are provided via telephone follow-up and videoconferencing alongside with HA-Go Apps, and specific exercise pamphlets.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effects of Tele-care PT service in supplementing department-based PT service during COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology :
Patients who received Tele-care PT service in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital(QEH), Kowloon Hospital(KH), and Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital(HKBH) from October to November,2020 were included for analysis. Structured evaluation survey was conducted to solicit users view on four key domains including Patient-Therapist Interaction, Accessibility, Service Practicality, and Personal Experience. Overall satisfaction was evaluated using 2-tail Numerical Rating Scale(Range of -10 denoting most degree of dissatisfaction to +10 denoting most degree of satisfaction).
Result & Outcome :
A total of 332 patients(N=332) completed the evaluation survey. High majority(over 95% patients) reported effective communication and interaction between patients and physiotherapists. 90% of users acknowledged service accessibility and agreed that appropriate exercises information and advice could be achieved via Tele-care PT service. Over 92% of patients agreed that Tele-care PT service could satisfy their treatment needs in supplementing department-based PT service. Patients also opined acceptance of tele-care as standard option of PT intervention. High majority(over 95% of patients) commented that Tele-care PT service was a good experience. The overall user satisfaction on Tele-care PT service was high(mean score=+8.7).
Our findings were in accord with systematic review of overseas studies with improved clinical outcomes, process outcomes of attendances & compliance and high user satisfaction. COVID-19 transformed life routines and service delivery models in many occupations including healthcare. With the popularity of smart phone in Hong Kong as metropolis and organization proficient Health Information & Technology in HA, enablers are nurtured amid pandemic for Tele-care PT services to emerge in meeting contextual patient’s needs with the provision of accessible and flexible PT intervention options through perceptible communication means for simple and intuitive use by patients.
