Is India ready for telerehabilitation?

As telerehabilitation is a novel method of service delivery with most research having been conducted in economically developed countries, the various factors that may affect its effectiveness should be identified when importing this idea to resource constrained countries.

In depth semi-structured interviews of TR personnel in India were used to investigate the factors that influence the effectiveness of TR.

The factors were determined as reduced access to TR in the government sector, better access to TR in private sector, government policies and procedures and funding for TR, cost effectiveness, technology used for TR, power and internet connectivity, device and accessories used for TR, storage of the TR videos, training required for TR, other professionals required for TR, acceptance of TR by professionals in India, acceptance of TR by patients or caregivers in India, computer literacy, severity of disorder being treated and follow up.

The current study suggests that strategies to overcome the factors must be directed at creating and supporting opportunities in resource constrained country to meet patients’ needs, irrespective of location.