Perspectives of Saudi Occupational Therapists Regarding Telerehabilitation: A Qualitative Study

Background: Telerehabilitation is emerging in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated occupational therapy professionals’ perspectives on using telerehabilitation in their practice. Method: Data were collected through semi-structured phone interviews conducted with nine Saudi occupational therapists....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Naif Q. Aljabri, Kim Bulkeley, Anne Cusick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hawaii Pacific University Library 2023-12-01
Series:International Journal of Telerehabilitation
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Online Access:http://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/Telerehab/article/view/6584
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Summary:Background: Telerehabilitation is emerging in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated occupational therapy professionals’ perspectives on using telerehabilitation in their practice. Method: Data were collected through semi-structured phone interviews conducted with nine Saudi occupational therapists. A pragmatic qualitative evaluation approach was used. Findings: Experience and perceptions of participants regarding telerehabilitation were represented as follows: awareness and knowledge of telerehabilitation; how telerehabilitation increases occupational therapy availability and access in Saudi Arabia; telerehabilitation in the pandemic; telerehabilitation is preferred; suitability of telerehabilitation in Saudi Arabia; telerehabilitation care pathways; telerehabilitation readiness in Saudi Arabia; and telerehabilitation willingness by Saudi occupational therapists. Conclusion: Saudi occupational therapists have good knowledge and awareness of telerehabilitation, and some had used it during the pandemic. They showed positive attitudes and a willingness to use telerehabilitation if appropriate technology infrastructure, official policy standards and guidelines, training, data security, and financial resources could be provided to support implementation.
ISSN:1945-2020