Abstract
Background: In China, 70 million people suffer from chronic diseases and call for timely rehabilitation service [1]. This number is estimated to grow over 50% of the whole population by the year 2030 [2]. However, current medical resources cannot meet such huge demand. Furthermore, the distribution of these resources in China is not equal. Most of the rehabilitation professionals are centered in large tier 3 hospitals of the big cities. One of the studies shows that about 56% of local community hospitals do not have department of rehabilitation, and most community rehabilitation professionals are primary physicians, only one-fourth of them receive formal rehabilitation education and training [3]. Telerehabilitation, which provides timely rehabilitation services and education, was hence expected to meet this challenge. Aim: Through this systematic review, we aimed to understand the status of development of telerehabilitation in China, to discuss whether telerehabilitation is conducive to meet the challenges of Chinese rehabilitation service. Methods: A systematic review was conducted on the development status of Chinese telerehabilitation. The major representative databases were searched: PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and CQVIP. Additionally, we searched for published research protocols, conference proceedings and governmental reports on telerehabilitation since 2009. Findings and discussions: We have identified several large-scale telemedicine systems in China [4]. These systems have established a telecommunication platform for diagnose and supervision between tier 3 hospitals and other smaller hospitals. Patients and doctors hence can seek advice online from experienced rehabilitation specialist distantly. In addition, a growing number of telerehabilitation technologies are emerged in China, such as computer aided rehabilitation evaluation system based on the neural function assessment scale, cognitive rehabilitation training system based on virtual reality technology, exoskeleton remote rehabilitation system based on browser/server structure and rehabilitation robotics [5-12]. This indicates that telerehabilitation technology is receiving a growing attention in China. However, it is suggested that there should be more large scale random control trial in relation to the implementation of the technology. Evaluation on its economic effect should also be performed.
Highlights
In China, 70 million people suffer from chronic diseases and call for timely rehabilitation service [1]
Aim: Through this systematic review, we aimed to understand the status of development of telerehabilitation in China, to discuss whether telerehabilitation is conducive to meet the challenges of Chinese rehabilitation service
Findings and discussions: We have identified several large-scale telemedicine systems in China [4]
Summary
In China, 70 million people suffer from chronic diseases and call for timely rehabilitation service [1]. The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Leying Zhu, BSc., Department of Rehabilitation, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Hao Cai, Ph.D fellow, MSc., CardioTechnology Laboratory, Medical Informatics Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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