CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED REHABILITATION TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING

Rehabilitation has potential to exploit information technology (IT) to address changes in physical functioning associated with chronic diseases and aging. This presentation will explore technology-specific aspects of a cohort study designed to determine feasibility of using an electronic patient health record to prevent physical functional decline in persons ≥44years. Participants in the study (97 persons with chronic diseases/conditions (CD) and 50 persons without chronic conditions (NCD); mean age 64 years) interacted with occupational and physical therapists primarily through on-line assessments within a patient health record, and subsequently used secure messaging to receive and communicate about suggested rehabilitation strategies. Although most participants described themselves as being familiar users of IT (86% of CD group; 92% of NCD), some participants were either non-users or beginners. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences and satisfaction with the technology and intervention at the study’s completion. Initial content analyses suggest many participants experienced technological challenges; people who reported high levels of computer literacy professed greater engagement with the process. Benefits of technology included flexibility with on-line communications, and ongoing awareness of targets in relation to physical function from self-monitoring. However, participants requested more direct integration between their providers and the technology, including opportunities to discuss findings, and to better understand the purpose of advice received electronically. Findings suggest a range of experiences in using IT-enabled rehabilitation; such rehabilitation strategies can be developed to promote physical function, but may need to be implemented in a blended model with in-person interactions.