JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Telerehabilitation has the potential to improve access to neurorehabilitation services especially in resource limited countries. Whilst there are reports of the barriers and facilitators to telerehabilitation in such settings, almost all are anecdotal.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the views of service users, their family/carers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on telerehabilitation for people with neurological conditions in Ghana.

Methods:

Two focus groups were held at Komfo Anoyke Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. One for service users (n=11) and their family/carers (n=9), conducted in the Ghanaian language of Twi, and one for HCPs (n=18) conducted in English. Focus groups were semi-structured and explored previous experiences of telerehabilitation, perceived benefits/challenges and solutions to overcome these challenges. Focus groups were audio transcribed and the service user transcript translated into English. The resulting transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Main themes were identified in relation to the benefits, barriers, and implementation of telerehabilitation in Ghana. Overall participants were positive about the role of telerehabilitation especially the convenience and lower cost for service users and the higher dose of therapy possible. However, challenges included lack of a stable internet connection, cost of phones and data packages, and low levels of literacy.

Conclusions:

Telerehabilitation has the potential to be a useful method of delivering rehabilitation to people with neurological conditions in Ghana however challenges such as a reliable internet connection and costs require to be addressed. Clinical trials of lost cost telerehabilitation interventions contextualised to the specific user group are required.