Evidence-based position paper on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) professional practice on telerehabilitation. The European PRM position (UEMS PRM Section).
Mauro Zampolini, Aydan Oral, Nikolaos Barotsis, Catarina Aguiar Branco, Helena Burger, Paolo Capodaglio, Fitnat Dincer, Alessandro Giustini, Xiaolei Hu, Ingebjorg Irgens, Stefano Negrini, Piotr Tederko, Iuly Treger, Carlotte Kiekens
Aydan Oral: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, T��rkiye - aydanoral@yahoo.com.
Nikolaos Barotsis: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic, Naxos, Greece.
Catarina Aguiar Branco: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital of Entre o Douro e Vouga E.P.E., Porto, Portugal.
Helena Burger: University Rehabilitation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Paolo Capodaglio: Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit and Research Lab in Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, San Giuseppe Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Verbania, Italy.
Fitnat Dincer: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, T��rkiye.
Alessandro Giustini: San Pancrazio Rehabilitation Hospital, Arco, Trento, Italy.
Xiaolei Hu: Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ume�� University, Ume��, Sweden.
Ingebjorg Irgens: Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen, Norway.
Stefano Negrini: Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University "La Statale", Milan, Italy.
Piotr Tederko: Department of Rehabilitation, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Otwock, Poland.
Iuly Treger: Department of Rehabilitation, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
INTRODUCTION: The evidence on the utility and effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions delivered via telerehabilitation is growing rapidly. Telerehabilitation is expected to have a key role in rehabilitation in the future. AIM: The aim of this evidence-based position paper (EBPP) is to improve PRM physicians' professional practice in telerehabilitation to be delivered to improve functioning and to reduce activity limitations and/or participation restrictions in individuals with a variety of disabling health conditions. METHODS: To produce recommendations for PRM physicians on telerehabilitation, a systematic review of the literature and a consensus procedure by means of a Delphi process have been performed involving the delegates of all European countries represented in the UEMS PRM Section. RESULTS: The systematic literature review is reported together with the 32 recommendations resulting from the Delphi procedure. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that PRM physicians deliver rehabilitation services remotely, via digital means or using communication technologies to eligible individuals, whenever required and feasible in a variety of health conditions in favor of the patient and his/her family, based on evidence of effectiveness and in compliance with relevant regulations. This EBPP represents the official position of the European Union through the UEMS PRM Section and designates the professional role of PRM physicians in telerehabilitation.
