Authors (including presenting author) :
Suen WS(1), Chan CK(1), Lau M(1), Yue SY(1), Ip WM(1), Lo R(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Occupational Therapy, Shatin Hospital
(2) Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, Shatin Hospital
Introduction :
Under the pandemic of COVID-19, PC Day Hospital service in Shatin Hospital was suspended, but patient care cannot be delayed. In April, 2020, Occupational Therapy Department in Shatin Hospital launched a pilot service of tele-rehab in PC Day Hospital.
Objectives :
To explore the possibility of using technology to maintain the continuity of care to patients in PC Day Hospital under the pandemic of COVID-19.
Methodology :
Patients under PC Day Hospital were supported by this service, which assessment and follow up intervention were provided by phone call, video call, HA Go and supplementary mobile applications.
Tele- Rehab in OT services:
1) Activities of daily living Assessment and home programs arrangement
2) Assistive devices prescription and follow up education
3) Carer skills assessment and related training
4) Home screening assessment and recommendation
Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) was used as outcome measure. We also created a satisfaction survey for evaluation of our tele-rehab service.
Result & Outcome :
In this pilot service, 160 patients received our tele-rehab intervention. 281 tele-rehab attendance were taken. The score of PPS revealed that 88% of patients could maintain their functional performance with Tele-Rehab, 4% of patients showed improvement in function and 8% of patients had functional decline due to disease progression.
In satisfaction survey, 59 respondents were successfully reached, 28 participants were carer while 31 respondents were patient.
57% of respondents agreed that Tele-Rehab improved home safety and served the purpose of fall prevention. Whereas, 49% of participants agreed that Tele-Rehab improved or helped to maintain their self-care ability. Among all the carer had been interviewed, 71% of them reported that their caring stress could be alleviated by tele-rehab service. For the overall level of satisfaction of OT tele-rehab service, 53% gave full marks, while 32% gave 4 points out of 5 to our service. 97% of respondents wished that tele-rehab service could be part of the routine service in PC Day Hospital.
Resumption of PC Day service is not an end to our tele-rehab service. Integration of Tele-Rehab into our conventional practice will definitely support our patients to have a better living in their terminal days of life.
