Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association
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Multicenter Study
Development of a service delivery protocol used for remote wheelchair consultation via telerehabilitation.
The purpose of this paper is to explain the development, methodology, and implementation of an assistive technology (AT) service delivery protocol using a telerehabilitation consultation model for evaluation of remote wheelchair prescriptions. The provision of wheeled mobility and seating interventions can be complex when considering people with intricate seating and positioning needs, environmental factors, and wide array of product interventions. The availability of qualified practitioners with specialty expertise in this area is limited, especially outside of urban areas. ⋯ The live interaction has enabled remote therapists the ability to exchange personal and health information to experts in the field from an urban facility. The impact of this service delivery protocol will be augmented as it is to be launched and replicated in three additional sites. Telerehabilitation is a new field that can only be measured by its long-term impact; however, its success can be looked at by its development and implementation into everyday clinical service delivery.