Telerehabilitation for dysphagia

Abstract

Background and Objectives:   Patients with dysphagia requires continued swallowing rehabilitation to prevent complications. The COVID-19 outbreak has prevented patients from coming to the hospital. Therefore, telerehabilitation was used to delivery service for patients with dysphagia. This study aimed to determine the satisfaction of patients with dysphagia for telerehabilitation.

Methods: A patients with dysphagia at dysphagia clinic, outpatient clinic of Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinagarind hospital from April- June 2020. All patients were received telerehabilitation service. After that, patients and their caregivers, as well as physicians, were interviewed about their satisfaction and opinions on the telerehabilitation service.

Results :  There were 7 patients with dysphagia, 4 males, 3 females, most of them were over 60 years of age. Most of them suffered from hemorrhagic stroke. More than 95% of patients and caregivers satisfied with the telerehabilitation because of cost saving and reduce the spreading of coronavirus. Moreover, they also feel confident in the dysphagia management.

Conclusion :  Patients with dysphagia had a high level of satisfaction with the telerehabilitation service system. The telerehabilitation may promote the accessibility to the rehabilitation services.