Session Information
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019
Session Title: Quality Improvement Case and Research Report
Session Time: 11:15am-12:45pm
Location: Research Hub - Kiosk 8
Disclosures: Sami Ullah, FCPS (PM&R): Nothing to disclose
Objective: Aim of the study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of Saudi Rehabilitation clinicians about Tele rehabilitation (TR)
Design: An electronic survey questionnaire was distributed among rehabilitation clinicians across different regions in Saudi Arabia.
Setting: Rehabilitation Hospital King Fahad Medical City Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Participants: 82 Rehabilitation clinicians participated across different regions in Saudi Arabia
Interventions: NA
Main Outcome Measures: knowledge and attitudes of Saudi Rehabilitation clinicians about Tele rehabilitation (TR). Rehabilitation clinicians Concerns about Tele rehabilitation (TR)
Results: 82 clinicians participated in this study out of which 63% (52) were males, and 36 % (30) were female. 65 (79.2%) were working in inpatient rehabilitation facility and 79 (96.34%) were using smartphones. The respondents included Physiatrists 30.49% (25), Physical Therapist 26.83% (22), Speech-Language 20.73% (17), Rehabilitation Nurses 7.32% (6), Orthotist 7.32% (6), Psychologist 4.88% (4) and Occupational Therapist 2.44% (2). 46.34% (38) were aware of TR technology but had not used it, 19.51% (16) were aware of technology and used it on an intermittent basis, 18.29% (15) had good knowledge and used it on regular basis whereas 15.85 (13) did not know about the technology. 69.51% (57) considered both TR and Community Based Rehabilitation as methods to improve the rehabilitation services delivery system in the country. 43.90% (36) lacked information about communication technology. High cost, patient compliance, policy making, and lack of skilled personnel were identified as limitation factors for using TR services. 52.44% (43) considered data security, patient privacy, and consultation from unauthorized person as associated risk of TR services.
Conclusions: We emphasize to adopt measure to increase utilization of Tele rehabilitation(TR) . The clinician concerns can be addressed by enhancing awareness about TR and establishing local TR guidelines. Our study also emphasizes gradual implication of TR, careful selection of appropriate patients, staff training and policy maker to start initiative locally.
Level of Evidence: Level I
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Ullah S. Tele Rehabilitation Services in Saudi Arabia: Rehabilitation Clinicians Perspective [abstract]. PM R. 2019; 11(S2)(suppl 2). https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/tele-rehabilitation-services-in-saudi-arabia-rehabilitation-clinicians-perspective/. Accessed May 12, 2025.« Back to AAPM&R Annual Assembly 2019
PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/tele-rehabilitation-services-in-saudi-arabia-rehabilitation-clinicians-perspective/