Clinical Efficacy and Limits of Telerehabilitation Used for Wheelchair Assessment

Principal Investigator/s: Rory Cooper, PhD; Michael Boninger, MD

Co-Investigator/s: Shirley G. Fitzgerald, PhD; Mark Schmeler, MS, OT, ATP; Rosemarie Cooper, MPT, ATP

4/2000-3/2005

Overview of Project: The study is designed to establish a scientific basis for the reliable use and limits of, telecommunication based remote prescription of Assistive Technology (AT), and also to establish methodologies which may be reproduced for further evaluation activities in this or related fields. This telecommunications technology has become known as TeleRehab. TeleRehab using Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) for interactive video and audio has the potential of increasing the availability of specialist services to communities which are not receiving them because of geographical and/or transportation issues, and of reducing the cost of delivering these services at an appropriate level. This project uses video conferencing communication systems to evaluate individuals for their seating and mobility needs. Our proposed study has three specific aims: 1) To develop instrumentation for documentation of clinical decision making to allow for scientific comparisons to be made. 2) To determine to what classification or level reliable clinical decisions can be made using TeleRehab technology. Using the instrument determine the “correctness” of clinical decision making.  3) To define the limits of the technology in clinical decision-making. Using the instrument discussed in 1., and other appropriate observations to determine what are the absolute requirements for “correctness of clinical decision-making”.  Three manuscripts are in preparation from the work that has been completed. It is expected that the manuscripts will be submitted this year.