Abstract
•Physical therapists and the general population are hesitant in using telerehabilitation. Concerns include, but are not limited to, the financial worth of telerehabilitation.•Physical therapists agree with the provision of education and self-management strategies via telerehabilitation, but the general population highlights the need for exercise prescription and technical orientation on exercise performance.•Practical recommendations and adequate training are needed to address physical therapists’ acceptability to telerehabilitation. For the general population, gradual exposure to telerehabilitation could enhance engagement with this mode of delivering physical therapy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation allowed the continuation of physical therapy care in parallel with public health measures to prevent the virus spread. However, in low- and middle-income countries including Brazil, telerehabilitation was unfamiliar to most of the population.
To investigate acceptability, preferences, and needs in telerehabilitation by Brazilian physical therapists and the general population.
We conducted an observational cross-sectional study with an online survey consisting of 13 multiple-choice items. Items were distributed among acceptability, preferences, and needs sections, and encompassed confidence in delivering or receiving telerehabilitation, its perceived efficacy and costs, and suitable content.
A total of 1107 responses were registered, 717 from physical therapists. Half of them self-reported confidence in conducting telerehabilitation through the internet (synchronous or asynchronous). The same proportion disagreed that telerehabilitation is as effective as in-person interventions. Physical therapists agreed telerehabilitation should contain educational, self-management strategies, and exercises information, but the general population endorsed the provision of technical advice on exercise execution. The general population mostly reported that telerehabilitation could help their specific health condition (86%), but only 14% of respondents would pay the same as they pay for in-person consultations. Participants reported an overall preference for synchronous communication and concern about the lack of a hands-on approach.
Physical therapists and the general population appear to demonstrate apprehension towards telerehabilitation. Insufficient preparation or inadequate knowledge might influence participants’ acceptance, preferences, and needs.