Usability of a telerehabilitation program for patients with musculoskeletal or oncological diseases: A mixed-methods evaluation / Benutzerfreundlichkeit eines Telerehabilitations-Programmes für Patient*innen mit muskuloskelettalen oder onkologischen Erkrankungen: Eine Mixed-Methods Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Telerehabilitation may stabilize the results of a previous phase 2 rehabilitation program through remote rehabilitation sessions. We evaluated a new telerehabilitation service (PV RehaTRAIN®) during its initial implementation, focusing on its usability both from the perspective of patients with musculoskeletal or oncological diseases and the interdisciplinary treatment team. Methods The evaluation followed a convergent mixed-methods design. After separate qualitative and quantitative analyses of the multi-perspective findings from interviews, focus groups and questionnaires, we interpreted the results collectively and equally. Results Overall, the results indicate high acceptance of and satisfaction with the new telerehabilitation service, especially from the patients’ perspective and regarding educational and individual counselling sessions. However, the treatment team identified a need for further didactic training to enable them to realize their full professional potential in a telerehabilitation setting. Conclusion The new telerehabilitation service PV RehaTRAIN® may bridge gaps in health care for patients who do not have access to conventional phase 3 rehabilitation infrastructure or prefer remote services that are readily integrated into their everyday lives. Members of the interdisciplinary treatment team offering telerehabilitation for the first time need adequate technical and especially setting-specific didactic training. Increased participation of treatment teams when refining telerehabilitation systems may minimize problems in early implementation phases and contribute to the quality of care.