Advantages and Disadvantages of Telerehabilitation for Persons With Neurological Disabilities
By Tornsey, Kathleen; NeuroRehabilitation: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 183-185Publication Date: 2003
Paper focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of telerehabilitation as applied to people with neurological disabilities. Telerehabilitation is defined as the provision of remote medical rehabilitation services through electronic and communication technologies. Recent advances in technology such as videoconferencing, the increasing speed of the Internet, and the reduced cost of computing products have laid the groundwork for the use of telecommunications technology in rehabilitation. Advocates for telerehabilitation indicate that these advances allow for increased access to services, reduction in travel costs, easier access to services for people with mobility disabilities, and simulation/demonstration of real-life tasks. Disadvantages include problems encountered by the user due to inexperience with new technologies, cognitive disabilities, and system malfunctions. The authors contend that due to these potential disadvantages, telerehabilitation should be paired with in-person meetings with rehabilitation professionals whenever possible.
Published by: IOS Press (Website:http://www.iospress.nl)
