Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program

Abstract Background The rise of telehealth in geriatric care is an inexorable movement toward adapting to global digitalization trends, in terms of both technology and implementation experiences, with clear gains for health systems and citizens. A literature review shows that the older population, w...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Neuza Reis, Maria José Costa Dias, Luís Sousa, João Oliveira, Miguel Toscano Rico, Cristina Lavareda Baixinho, Maria Adriana Henriques
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06035-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850268890972553216
author Neuza Reis
Maria José Costa Dias
Luís Sousa
João Oliveira
Miguel Toscano Rico
Cristina Lavareda Baixinho
Maria Adriana Henriques
author_facet Neuza Reis
Maria José Costa Dias
Luís Sousa
João Oliveira
Miguel Toscano Rico
Cristina Lavareda Baixinho
Maria Adriana Henriques
author_sort Neuza Reis
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The rise of telehealth in geriatric care is an inexorable movement toward adapting to global digitalization trends, in terms of both technology and implementation experiences, with clear gains for health systems and citizens. A literature review shows that the older population, with lower levels of digital literacy, faces specific challenges with this type of service. The aim of this study was to understand the way older people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or long COVID perceive the implementation of telerehabilitation programs to meet their healthcare needs. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to answer the research question: How do older people perceive telerehabilitation programs? The study participants were 17 people aged ≥ 65 years old who had completed a respiratory telerehabilitation program at a Portuguese hospital. The interviews were submitted to content analysis using WebQDA® qualitative data analysis software. Results The study participants had an average age of 70.94 ± 7.44 years old. The content of the interviews with these older people points to easy adaptation to the telerehabilitation program. Three categories and their respectives subcategories emerged from the content analysis: (1) access and continuity of care (access, continuity of care, and self-management); (2) presence (communication with the team and maintaining relationships); and (3) experience in the program (comfort, advantages, and difficulties). Conclusions This study allows for an understanding of how older people perceive participation in telerehabilitation programs, what they value, and the difficulties they experience. It makes it possible to make recommendations for clinic practice and research into this emerging area of health care.
format Article
id doaj-art-b052cb220319495ea8cc3f5eddd9a9e1
institution OA Journals
issn 1471-2318
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Geriatrics
spelling doaj-art-b052cb220319495ea8cc3f5eddd9a9e12025-08-20T01:53:19ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-05-012511910.1186/s12877-025-06035-zRespiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the programNeuza Reis0Maria José Costa Dias1Luís Sousa2João Oliveira3Miguel Toscano Rico4Cristina Lavareda Baixinho5Maria Adriana Henriques6Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR)Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR)Higher School of Atlantic HealthJoão Oliveira, nurse Mental health and psychiatric specialist, Unidade Local de Saúde São José (ULS São José)NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Unidade Local de Saúde São José (ULS São José)Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR)Lisbon Nursing School. Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR)Abstract Background The rise of telehealth in geriatric care is an inexorable movement toward adapting to global digitalization trends, in terms of both technology and implementation experiences, with clear gains for health systems and citizens. A literature review shows that the older population, with lower levels of digital literacy, faces specific challenges with this type of service. The aim of this study was to understand the way older people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or long COVID perceive the implementation of telerehabilitation programs to meet their healthcare needs. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to answer the research question: How do older people perceive telerehabilitation programs? The study participants were 17 people aged ≥ 65 years old who had completed a respiratory telerehabilitation program at a Portuguese hospital. The interviews were submitted to content analysis using WebQDA® qualitative data analysis software. Results The study participants had an average age of 70.94 ± 7.44 years old. The content of the interviews with these older people points to easy adaptation to the telerehabilitation program. Three categories and their respectives subcategories emerged from the content analysis: (1) access and continuity of care (access, continuity of care, and self-management); (2) presence (communication with the team and maintaining relationships); and (3) experience in the program (comfort, advantages, and difficulties). Conclusions This study allows for an understanding of how older people perceive participation in telerehabilitation programs, what they value, and the difficulties they experience. It makes it possible to make recommendations for clinic practice and research into this emerging area of health care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06035-zTelehealthGeriatric careRehabilitationRespiratoryContinuity of care
spellingShingle Neuza Reis
Maria José Costa Dias
Luís Sousa
João Oliveira
Miguel Toscano Rico
Cristina Lavareda Baixinho
Maria Adriana Henriques
Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program
BMC Geriatrics
Telehealth
Geriatric care
Rehabilitation
Respiratory
Continuity of care
title Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program
title_full Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program
title_fullStr Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program
title_full_unstemmed Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program
title_short Respiratory telerehabilitation: user experience and satisfaction with the program
title_sort respiratory telerehabilitation user experience and satisfaction with the program
topic Telehealth
Geriatric care
Rehabilitation
Respiratory
Continuity of care
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06035-z
work_keys_str_mv AT neuzareis respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram
AT mariajosecostadias respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram
AT luissousa respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram
AT joaooliveira respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram
AT migueltoscanorico respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram
AT cristinalavaredabaixinho respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram
AT mariaadrianahenriques respiratorytelerehabilitationuserexperienceandsatisfactionwiththeprogram