Optimizing Telehealth Strategies for Rehabilitation: Recommendations From Rural Physical Therapists

Background: To investigate the experiences and perspectives of rural physical therapists in relation to various telehealth strategies in physical therapy; Methods: A qualitative field study was conducted in [n=4,344] remote regions of [n=6] (Mexico). Using telehealth technology, 16 physical therapists from 6 clinics expanded their reach and provided physical therapy care to patients located in nonmetropolitan sites. The outcomes measured were the sociodemographic characteristics, telemedicine modalities employed, and the types of treatments administered. These assessments were conducted pre, post-intervention, and during the follow-up period; Results: This study included 4,344 participants, averaging 44.5 ±20.7 years old. Most visits (80.1%) were initial, while 19.9% were follow-ups, with an average of 12.4 ±4.7 sessions. "Puebla sur" had the highest case frequency (29.3%), followed by "Tlalnepantla" (27.5%), "CAPU" (17.4%), "Tlalpan" (15.5%), and "Guadalajara" and "Guatemala" clinics with lower frequencies (8.8% and 1.5%, respectively); Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of telemedicine to surmount barriers such as limited access to healthcare facilities, physical impediments faced by patients in rural areas, and financial burdens on families. The findings contribute to the optimization of telehealth strategies, specifically tailored to the unique challenges of rehabilitation care in underserved rural communities.