Telehealth delivery of remote assessment of wheelchair and seating needs for adults and children: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose: This scoping review synthesizes research on the effects and processes of telehealth wheelchair and seating assessment and the perceptions of wheelchair users and healthcare providers of telehealth use for this purpose.

Materials and Methods: A systematic search and scoping review of peer-reviewed publications and theses was undertaken on telehealth AND wheelchair assessment. Five databases were searched. Data extraction and synthesis followed the process outlined by Arksey and O’Malley for scoping reviews.

Results: From an initial 1801 publications, nine studies published in 13 documents met the inclusion criteria. Study quality and study design varied considerably. The effect of telehealth compared to in-person assessment was insignificant (n = 2) indicating equivocal effectiveness. Telehealth assessment improved accessibility for some wheelchair users (n = 1). However, the process of telehealth that was applied to wheelchair assessment was inadequately described in all studies. It appeared that each stakeholder group appraised telehealth based on different criteria including accessibility, professional supportiveness and technical accuracy. No studies examined funder views.

Conclusions: Preliminary research suggests telehealth wheelchair assessment may be as effective as in-person assessment, is viewed favorably by wheelchair users and nonspecialist assessors, while expert assessors have some hesitations. However the strength of evidence is weak indicating the need for further research.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Telehealth assessment of wheelchair and seating needs has the potential to improve access and equity in provision of rehabilitation.

• Telehealth wheelchair and seating assessments are appraised positively by consumers and non-specialist assessors, but with caution by specialist assessors.

• Advances in the description of wheelchair and seating assessment protocols are needed to more accurately determine equivalence between tele- and in-person assessment.

• High levels of engagement across all stakeholder groups are necessary to ensure optimal service delivery of telehealth wheelchair and seating assessment.

Keywords:

• Telemedicine
• telerehabilitation
• wheelchairs
• remote consultation
• health services accessibility
• equipment design
• technology assessment
• mobility limitation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.