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      Optimal management of health care for persons with disability related to spinal cord injury: learning from the Sunnaas model of telerehabilitation

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          Abstract

          Telemedicine [1] has changed the way of offering medical services around the world. It has rapidly been brought to the forefront because of the Covid-19 pandemic [2]. We believe this should be a permanent change and that telemedicine should be included as part of every hospital system of care. Individuals with disabilities, like spinal cord injury (SCI), or persons living far away from specialized care centers often have problems with traveling long distances [3, 4]. Varying weather conditions due to climate change, as well as pandemics with the need to reduce the risk of infection [5] have induced the necessity for health care providers think creatively about seeing patients, rather than patients only have the option to travel to hospitals and outpatient clinics. Telemedicine is a way to overcome these limitations [1–3]. Almost 100 years ago, teleradiology as communication support for the health care providers, was in use on the Queen Mary [6], but it is just recently that telemedicine for medical purposes has expanded all over the world [7]. Today, many options are available for patients in need of long-term follow-up [8]. The purpose of this perspective is to explain how we managed to implement telerehabilitation as part of our system of care, in hopes that others will follow suit. Sunnaas rehabilitation hospital provides services for individuals in need of highly specialized rehabilitation due to severe impairments, like SCI, multi trauma, burn injury, neurodegenerative conditions, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and poliomyelitis. The Spinal Cord Unit at the hospital offers life-long follow-up rehabilitation for individuals with SCI and associated conditions. An important task is to ensure the best possible services to our patients and their families [9, 10], which requires cooperation from a vast number of disciplines (see Fig. 1). Fig. 1 The different participants in the rehabilitation process. To ensure the best possible services to the care receivers during the rehabilitation process, coordination and collaboration from a vast number of collaborators are required. Due to our large catchment area and the geography of Norway, long-term and life-long follow-up are challenging. As a result, we have fostered a successful model of telerehabilitation via videoconference in our health care organization [11–15], the Sunnaas model of telerehabilitation. We believe this model improves public health, and supports more sustainable health services, including accessibility, prevention, earlier treatment and better interaction and knowledge transfer between health care providers on different levels (Fig. 1). Moreover, it is particularly important to ensure good coordination when the responsibility for the patient is transferred between hospitals and municipalities, and between departments and units within hospitals and municipalities [16]. The benefit of including patients, relatives, as well as health care collaborators in treatment team meetings and group decisions is obvious, in particular when this collaborating also protects the environment as there is significantly less driving involved. This perspective gives a suggestion of how to implement telerehabilitation in the health care service of a hospital. We define telerehabilitation as communication by videoconferencing via PC, laptop, tablets, or mobile phone to improve the wellness or rehabilitation status of an individual. We have used both integrated and external webcams. Encrypted communication takes place in real time without recording or archiving and must be in accordance with legislation regarding data safety, privacy, and confidentiality applicable in the country/region. Notes, pictures, and evaluations are documented in the electronic medical record. Only necessary members of the multidisciplinary team and external care providers participate in the videoconference, and participants must receive training in ethical guidelines and in the use of the equipment before participating as a telerehabilitation provider. Moreover, despite the fact that we implemented telerehabilitation services 7 years ago into our outpatient system of care for people with SCI [12], we recently expanded this service into other diagnostic groups, such as stroke and cerebral palsy [13, 14]. We have also incorporated exercise supervision via telerehabilitation [17]. Our organizational model is presented in Table 1 (see Table 1). The model includes education and mentoring to staff members, colleagues at collaborative hospitals, local home care providers, patients and their family members. People in need of continuous follow-up, such as individuals with SCI and other severe disabilities, benefit from our approach, which includes local providers, because rehabilitation is an ongoing process and a large part of it takes place after discharge, in the local environment. Thus providing services at home is conducive to optimizing the lifestyle of the person with the disability [8]. Table 1 The Sunnaas model of telerehabilitation. Health service delivery Intention Collaborative meeting with the municipality Multidisciplinary meetings  • Before discharge  • Before admission  • After hospitalization Courses and knowledge exchange Knowledge translation, meetings, and courses Courses, competence exchange, and discussions related to specific topics via videoconference, web or e-learning courses.  • More participants and more discussion  =increased knowledge translation  • Learning and coping courses Assistive aid dissemination Dialogue with the assistive aid office Increased consumer participation Interpreter services Interpreter assisting via videoconferencing  • Regional interpreting center is established  • Qualified health interpreters  • Aim; 40% videoconference interpretation  • Great potential also in the municipality Isolation rooms due to infectious disease  • Patient education  • Education about infection routines  • Municipal meetings  • Interpreter assistance  • Dialogue with the nurse-staff room when needed  • Fill out forms with help from members of the multidisciplinary team Consultations with specialists in other hospitals Patient consultations with specialists in other hospitals Example:  • Pressure injury, burn injury, fractures, and spinal cord injury  • External camera is connected to the screen to secure detailed visual information Outpatient follow-up consultations Consultation with the outpatient clinic  • Videoconference to the patient in his and her home  • Local health care providers attending  • GP attending  • Attendance from external medical specialists Exercise Physiotherapists performing adjusted exercise via videoconference Services delivered via videoconference by the multidisciplinary team. Our inpatient-based service has been especially useful during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to allow people to participate in rehabilitation even if they are in isolation. The model also makes it possible to collaborate with the local care providers while the individual is still an inpatient and thus effectively plan discharge to their municipality. This is particularly important for individuals with life-long follow-up needs, like SCI. Finally, performing videoconference meetings before admittance to the rehabilitation hospital makes it possible to personalize and customize the hospitalization stay. Rehabilitation services should be available for all individuals with impaired function due to injury or sickness. Thus, health care should be organized and planned to include the provision of rehabilitation services, no matter the geographical location of the caregiver or care receiver. Videoconferencing is a good tool for cooperation in the rehabilitation process [1, 3, 8] and we have found our model is beneficial for all persons who are discharged to home from inpatient rehabilitation. Optimizing the cooperation with local authorities, consumer organizations, and other relevant partners ensures sufficient and adequate capacity, reasonable structure, appropriate expertise and activities in a way that secures quality care and patient safety [9, 10]. The model contributes to effective, safe, and predictable interactions that allow specialized rehabilitation providers to share and transfer their competence to providers at a local level while also including consumers as active participants in the process [11, 12]. It allows the health care system to coordinate follow-up at a local level [18–20] and we believe now more than ever it is important to offer proper treatment at the right place at the right time [16]. Geographical locations can be a barrier to receive the needed rehabilitation service, because long-distance traveling can cause suffering for patients, e.g., patients with SCI and pressure injuries [21]. Expenses associated with transportation are large in terms of time and money, but the expenses are large also in terms of the carbon footprint [21]. Videoconferencing ensures consumers receive necessary follow-up, and makes it possible for caregivers and local health care providers to interact virtually [20, 22]. The end result is proximity at a distance between all participants [11, 19]. Active feedback from consumers, their relatives and the municipal health care service have revealed our telerehabilitation services are more adapted to everyday life [11] for individuals with complex needs in need of long-term follow-up, such as people with SCI [8, 11–15, 18–21]. Having full support of organizational management, technical assistance, and development of dynamic guidelines are important factors for success. Complex management structures, lack of infrastructure, poor communications technology, and founding are barriers to implementation. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a massive increase in telemedicine services in conjunction with improved funding in some countries. Fortunately, new software-based videoconferencing services, which have recently been available around the world, have decreased the need for start-up costs. However, coordination of care remains problematic and potential solutions need to be addressed. We believe it is important that stakeholders are involved in service development and evaluation and we have done this in the Sunnas model [22]. Historically, we performed a feasibility study, which lead to implementation of this service in the outpatient clinic [12]. Furthermore, we developed a telemedicine team (TMT) with specialized expertise and dedicated time to be included in all new clinical projects and feasibility studies. Guidelines were developed and were continuously updated and available on the organization’s web page. Figure 2 shows criteria to be taken into account in the implementation of new services (see Fig. 2). Training for all participants of the service remains important as are instructions and check lists (see Fig. 3) with a focus on ethical issues, professional quality, and safety for the participants. Fig. 2 Success criteria in the implementation and usage of new, technological services. The organization must pay attention to user involvement, potential barriers, complexities and context regarding the new solutions. Fig. 3 A checklist for development and use of new, technological services. The checklist should focus on ethical issues, availability, professional quality, safety and training for all participants of the service. Establishment of an equipment replacement and software update plan and a videoconference-network for sharing experiences and ideas with organizations outside the hospital is important. The success of establishing a telerehabilitation system of care 20% dependent on technology and 80% on organizational support [12, 19, 23, 24]. Our model has been a success in the outpatient follow-up of persons with SCI, facilitating testing and implementation of new, technological health care solutions, and we recommend replication to other patient groups and diagnoses, because the benefits of telerehabilitation are undeniable.

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          Telehealth Interventions Delivering Home-based Support Group Videoconferencing: Systematic Review

          Background Group therapy and education and support sessions are used within health care across a range of disciplines such as chronic disease self-management and psychotherapy interventions. However, there are barriers that constrain group attendance, such as mobility, time, and distance. Using videoconferencing may overcome known barriers and improve the accessibility of group-based interventions. Objective The aim of this study was to review the literature to determine the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and implementation of health professional–led group videoconferencing to provide education or social support or both, into the home setting. Methods Electronic databases were searched using predefined search terms for primary interventions for patient education and/or social support. The quality of studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We developed an analysis framework using hierarchical terms feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and implementation, which were informed by subheadings. Results Of the 1634 records identified, 17 were included in this review. Home-based groups by videoconferencing are feasible even for those with limited digital literacy. Overall acceptability was high with access from the home highly valued and little concern of privacy issues. Some participants reported preferring face-to-face groups. Good information technology (IT) support and training is required for facilitators and participants. Communication can be adapted for the Web environment and would be enhanced by clear communication strategies and protocols. A range of improved outcomes were reported but because of the heterogeneity of studies, comparison of these across studies was not possible. There was a trend for improvement in mental health outcomes. Benefits highlighted in the qualitative data included engaging with others with similar problems; improved accessibility to groups; and development of health knowledge, insights, and skills. Videoconference groups were able to replicate group processes such as bonding and cohesiveness. Similar outcomes were reported for those comparing face-to-face groups and videoconference groups. Conclusions Groups delivered by videoconference are feasible and potentially can improve the accessibility of group interventions. This may be particularly useful for those who live in rural areas, have limited mobility, are socially isolated, or fear meeting new people. Outcomes are similar to in-person groups, but future research on facilitation process in videoconferencing-mediated groups and large-scale studies are required to develop the evidence base.
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            A Review of Telehealth Service Implementation Frameworks

            Despite the potential of telehealth services to increase the quality and accessibility of healthcare, the success rate of such services has been disappointing. The purpose of this paper is to find and compare existing frameworks for the implementation of telehealth services that can contribute to the success rate of future endeavors. After a thorough discussion of these frameworks, this paper outlines the development methodologies in terms of theoretical background, methodology and validation. Finally, the common themes and formats are identified for consideration in future implementation. It was confirmed that a holistic implementation approach is needed, which includes technology, organizational structures, change management, economic feasibility, societal impacts, perceptions, user-friendliness, evaluation and evidence, legislation, policy and governance. Furthermore, there is some scope for scientifically rigorous framework development and validation approaches.
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              The Use of Patient-Facing Teleconsultations in the National Health Service: Scoping Review

              Background The National Health Service (NHS) Long-Term Plan has set out a vision of enabling patients to access digital interactions with health care professionals within 5 years, including by video link. Objective This review aimed to examine the extent and nature of the use of patient-facing teleconsultations within a health care setting in the United Kingdom and what outcome measures have been assessed. Methods We conducted a systematic scoping review of teleconsultation studies following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched up to the end of December 2018 for publications that reported on the use of patient-facing teleconsultations in a UK health care setting. Results The search retrieved 3132 publications, of which 101 were included for a full review. Overall, the studies were heterogeneous in design, in the specialty assessed, and reported outcome measures. The technology used for teleconsultations changed over time with earlier studies employing bespoke, often expensive, solutions. Two-thirds of the studies, conducted between 1995 and 2005, used this method. Later studies transitioned to Web-based commercial solutions such as Skype. There were five outcome measures that were assessed: (1) technical feasibility, (2) user satisfaction, (3) clinical effectiveness, (4) cost, (5) logistical and operational considerations. Due to the changing nature of technology over time, there were differing technical issues across the studies. Generally, teleconsultations were acceptable to patients, but this was less consistent among health care professionals. However, among both groups, face-to-face consultations were still seen as the gold standard. A wide range of clinical scenarios found teleconsultations to be clinically useful but potentially limited to more straightforward clinical interactions. Due to the wide array of study types and changes in technology over time, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions on the cost involved. However, cost savings for health care providers have been demonstrated by the goal-directed implementation of teleconsultations. The integration of technology into routine practice represents a complex problem with barriers identified in funding and hospital reimbursement, information technologies infrastructure, and integration into clinicians’ workflow. Conclusions Teleconsultations appear to be safe and effective in the correct clinical situations. Where offered, it is likely that patients will be keen to engage, although teleconsultations should only be offered as an option to support traditional care models rather than replace them outright. Health care staff should be encouraged and supported in using teleconsultations to diversify their practice. Health care organizations need to consider developing a digital technology strategy and implementation groups to assist health care staff to integrate digitally enabled care into routine practice. The introduction of new technologies should be assessed after a set period with service evaluations, including feedback from key stakeholders.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Ingebjorg.irgens@sunnaas.no
                Journal
                Spinal Cord Ser Cases
                Spinal Cord Ser Cases
                Spinal Cord Series and Cases
                Nature Publishing Group UK (London )
                2058-6124
                24 September 2020
                24 September 2020
                2020
                : 6
                : 88
                Affiliations
                [1 ]GRID grid.416731.6, ISNI 0000 0004 0612 1014, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, ; Bjørnemyrveien 11, 1450 Nesoddtangen, Norway
                [2 ]GRID grid.5510.1, ISNI 0000 0004 1936 8921, Institute of Clinical Medicine, , University of Oslo, ; PO Box 1171, Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
                [3 ]SMARTsam AS, Bølgenveien 8, 3514 Hønefoss, Norway
                [4 ]GRID grid.412008.f, ISNI 0000 0000 9753 1393, Department of Neurology/Spinal Cord Unit, , Haukeland University Hospital, ; Jonas Lies vei 65, 5053 Bergen, Norway
                [5 ]GRID grid.8761.8, ISNI 0000 0000 9919 9582, Sahlgrenska Academy and Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, , University of Gothenburg, ; Box 100, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
                Author information
                http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2506-9501
                Article
                338
                10.1038/s41394-020-00338-6
                7512204
                32973161
                68f71da9-3944-4df3-9f36-60568be473a4
                © The Author(s) 2020

                Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

                History
                : 19 July 2020
                : 21 August 2020
                : 25 August 2020
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                © International Spinal Cord Society 2020

                rehabilitation,health care
                rehabilitation, health care

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