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The Potential of Telemedicine for Patients with Chronic Disorders Experiencing Problems with Their Functioning

Authors:
Miriam Vollenbroek-Hutten
Hermie Hermens
Richard Evering
Marit Dekker-van Weering
Stephanie Kosterink
Rianne Huis in 't Veld

Keywords: chronic disease; physical reconditioning; ambulant monitoring; home treatment; feedback.

Abstract:
It is hypothesized that telemedicine applications can make rehabilitation care more effective and efficient. Besides the demonstrated potential of image/audio-based technology, it is expected that telemedicine applications, which use biomedical and ICT technology, to support physical and cognitive behavioral rehabilitation at home or daily life style management, both under remote supervision of professionals, are considered very promising. Compared to traditional rehabilitation methods, these telemedicine applications enable the patient to receive more intensive treatment at moments they prefer, or when care/coaching is needed, instead of when scheduled. In addition they also have the advantage that no translation of the learned skills to everyday life is needed. However, these telemedicine applications are often too much technology driven and insufficiently guided by the need of end users and the added value of these applications is still insufficiently known as a proper evaluation methodology is scarcely applied and large studies are lacking. This paper addresses these two aspects by describing a concept for development of end user driven telemedicine applications followed by an evaluation methodology that enables us to show the added value when applied in every day care. This is illustrated for telemedicine applications that focus on physical rehabilitation of patients with a chronic disease who are experiencing problems with physical functioning. Based on the results available so far, it can be concluded that these telemedicine applications are well accepted by patients and are at least as effective as traditional care.

Pages: 30 to 35

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2012

Publication date: January 30, 2012

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4359

ISBN: 978-1-61208-179-3

Location: Valencia, Spain

Dates: from January 30, 2012 to February 4, 2012