Telerehabilitation was first used in 1998. In 2014, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT, 2014) identified telerehabilitation as an appropriate method of providing occupational therapy to help clients who were unable to receive occupational therapy services. However, there are several challenges in telerehabilitation services:
  • Therapists do not have the option of physical contact with the client.
  • The therapist should use both verbal and visual instructions to a greater and more meaningful extent in order to be able to fill the gap of physical contact with the client.
  • Participation may be hampered when the client is not technologically informed.
  • We could, as therapists, prepare a brochure explaining the steps needed for the client to connect online.
  • The occupational therapist is asked to be more attentive and more observant through a computer screen.
  • It could be an upgrade the electronic devices, such as speakers, an extra screen, or other electronic programs.
  • The occupational therapist should have a workplace in his home, constructed in such a way as to avoid physical burden in the sitting position, distractions from the environment, and to guarantee confidentiality to clients.
  • The occupational therapist should be able to take preventive measures regarding the safety of the client, using activities that do not endanger the client.
  • The occupational therapist should use imagination and creativity in order to use and adapt simple materials that are typically available at home.
  • The occupational therapist should establish a relationship with the caregiver in order to direct them as “trainers at home”.
  • It would be good for a separate communication session to take place between the therapist and caregiver before the initiation of intervention.
  • The occupational therapist should be able to limit the client’s environmental factors that will trigger and interrupt the flow of the session.
  • The occupational therapist should be aware of ways to settle financial transactions remotely.
  • The occupational therapist should remotely motivate the client to be actively involved in the session and provide feedback.
  • The occupational therapist should be able to provide first aid (i.e. for seizures) in case of emergency.
  • The therapist should verbally instruct the client or the caregiver (if any) to keep calm and manage the situation in the most appropriate way.