Physiotherapists' and occupational therapists' perspectives on information and communication technology in stroke rehabilitation.

Imre Cikajlo,Charlotte Ytterberg,Susanne Guidetti,Hanne Kaae Kristensen,Mille Nabsen Marwaa

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0236831

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the current and potential use of information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance coherent person-centred rehabilitation after stroke, from the perspectives of physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Five occupational therapists and four physiotherapists from different phases of the Danish stroke rehabilitation process were included and two focus group interviews were carried out. A grounded theory approach was used throughout the study and a constant comparative method was used in the analysis. Three subcategories were identified from the analysis of interviews with participants: 1) ICT and apps as meaningful and supportive in the rehabilitation process, 2) ICT as a tool in communication and documentation and 3) Barriers to the integration of ICT and apps in the rehabilitation process. From these categories one core category emerged: The potential of a personalized app solution to facilitate coherent person-centred rehabilitation. ICT was perceived as important to integrate in stroke rehabilitation both for assessment, training and to compensate for remaining deficits. The development of a personalized app solution could accommodate stroke survivors' and significant others' need for insight into and overview over the rehabilitation process as well as access to relevant information, which would thereby empower them. Furthermore, a personalized app solution could also facilitate follow-up after discharge and was perceived to ease the communication and documentation within and between sectors, as well as communication with both stroke survivors and significant others.

Highlights

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the western part of the world, and there are about 15.000 new incidences every year in Denmark [1]
information and communication technology (ICT) was perceived as important to integrate in stroke rehabilitation both for assessment, training and to compensate for remaining deficits
PTs and occupational therapists’ (OTs) in this study argued that ICT solutions need to be an integrated part of the rehabilitation process, given that ICT nowadays is used in everyday life by most citizens, regardless of age

Summary

Introduction

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the western part of the world, and there are about 15.000 new incidences every year in Denmark [1]. It is recommended that stroke rehabilitation should be person-centred, i.e. individualized and tailored to respond to the individual’s needs and with the recognition of significant others as crucial actors in the rehabilitation process [9,10]. A person-centred approach to the rehabilitation process has been shown to promote both stroke survivors’ and significant others’ active involvement in their treatment and care, increasing their empowerment and autonomy [9,10,11,12] and reducing rehabilitation costs [7]. To meet the increasing demands and limit the growth of stroke rehabilitation costs, health services in which information and communication technology (ICT) are used alongside conventional therapy offer new opportunities [13]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion