Synopsis

Critical questions for telerehabilitation practice in Aotearoa

There is growing evidence and support for the provision of rehabilitation using telehealth platforms with research consistently reporting it to be at least as effective as face-to-face delivery across populations and interventions. However, rehabilitation is a complex intervention, where outcomes rely not just on what we do, but who we are and how we work. Despite this, research in telerehabilitation focuses on the efficacy of discrete interventions, and guidelines focus on adapting interventions for remote delivery and guiding technology platforms and/or capabilities. The more nuanced aspects of practice (e.g., engagement, culturally responsive practice, therapeutic relationship) are nearly invisible in research and guidelines. Further, while telerehabilitation can enhance access for some, it has the potential to exacerbate (or introduce) inequities for others. Despite this, the rhetoric tends to be focused on telerehabilitation as an alternative to in-person delivery, rather than recognising telerehabilitation as part of an integrated model of service delivery tailored to meet people and whānau where they are at. The rapid implementation of telerehabilitation in recent times presents a unique and timely opportunity to learn from the experiences and perspectives of clients, whānau, and professionals to examine and optimise telerehabilitation processes. In this presentation, I will: a) share my reflections on key questions we need to address to harness the true potential of telerehabilitation; b) tell you about the steps we are taking in our research to address these gaps, and c) invite you to reflect on how we can collectively contribute to continued advance in telerehabilitation practice in Aotearoa.

Biography

Nicola Kayes  Professor of Rehabilitation, Associate Dean Research and Director - Centre for Person Centred Research, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Auckland University of Technology
Nicola Kayes is Professor of Rehabilitation, and Director of the Centre for Person Centred Research (PCR) at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). With a background in health psychology, Nicola’s research draws insights from the intersection between health psychology and rehabilitation – critically exploring how people think, feel, behave, and respond in the context of injury and illness to inform ways of working that optimise rehabilitation outcomes. This broadly includes an interest in health service delivery and the rehabilitation structures, cultures, policies, and technologies that can make possible or constrain ways of working and impact on our ability to deliver outcomes that matter to people and whānau. Nicola’s recent research has focused on better understanding aspects of person-centred practice, therapeutic relationship, peer support, self-management, engagement, accessibility, and knowledge mobilisation in rehabilitation.   Go back to workshop speakers summary page		Nicola Kayes