EC Orthopaedics

From the first telegraph to virtual reality and deep learning algorithms, the digitization of health has been a key player in improving patient outcomes. Today, many processes in healthcare require digital players to ensure that is effective, sustainable and reflects the needs of users, so why does it seem to be overlooked in pre and post-surgical rehabilitation?

Prior to the peak of the global pandemic, there were practices and countries that struggled unarguably with providing patients with access to physical therapy services. Digital tools including telephone and video consultations, digital triage and online education services were gradually employed to reduce pressures on these services. I imagine that most clinicians will agree that the existing backlogs for pre and post operative rehabilitation, for instance, were exacerbated by the large number of unwell patients and health professionals; reduced hospital capacity; socioeconomic inequalities and several unprecedented circumstances as a result of the pandemic. Mitigating these effects required a sustainable and innovative approach which had several practices around the world, offering digital rehabilitation.

1. Seron Pamela., et al. “Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapy: A Rapid Overview”. Physical Therapy 6 (2021): pzab053.
2. Groot Lichelle., et al. “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different aspects of the delivery of physical therapy after total hip or knee surgery: Perspectives of patients and physical therapists”. Musculoskeletal Care4 (2022): 964-971.
3. , et al. “Investigating the use of digital health tools in physiotherapy: facilitator and barriers”. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice (2022): 1-20.