TELEREHABILITATION DURING DISASTER: INSIGHTS FROM THE 2023 TÜRKIYE EARTHQUAKE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
AUTHORS:
Esra DOGRU HUZMELI , Eren LEKESİZ , Yasemin KARAASLAN, Sureyya DAMAR ORENLER, Zekiye Ipek KATIRCI KIRMACI, Kezban BAYRAMLAR, Busra AKINCI, Esra CELIK, Yusuf Sinasi KIRMACI, Esra ALDIRMAZ, Lamia NECCAR, Mahperi KAYMAZ, Elif Dilara DURMAZ, Merve KURUCU, Halil OGUT, Nilufer CETISLI KORKMAZ, Tulin DUGER
KEYWORDS
Telerehabilitation, earthquakes, Türkiye, rehabilitation
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation (PTR) services was very difficult during the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye. A telerehabilitation (TR) team was established to help disaster victims by recognizing their urgent health needs. This study aimed to determine whether TR could be used as a viable solution in situations where it is difficult to provide traditional face-to-face PTR services during an earthquake. Materials and Methods: Within the TR team, volunteer physiotherapists reached out to disaster victims and planned weekly treatments. The diagnoses of the disaster victims include cerebral palsy, peroneal nerve injury, drop foot, hand extensor tendon injury, muscle contusion, soft tissue injury, left wrist fracture, disc herniation, hemiparesis, facial paralysis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, severe back pain, and asthma. PTR services were provided with TR. Patients' satisfaction with TR was evaluated on a scale of 0-10. Results: A total of 25 earthquake victims contacted the TR team to receive rehabilitation. Fifteen patients successfully completed the TR process. The average number of TR sessions received by the patients was 4±3.48 days. The satisfaction level of 14 patients with the treatment was 9.5±1.02 out of 10. Conclusions: Accessing rehabilitation services during a disaster is a challenging task. When hospitals face challenges in providing healthcare services, leveraging technology through TR can be a viable solution. This study demonstrates that PTR services can be successfully delivered online during disasters.
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KEYWORDS
Telerehabilitation, earthquakes, Türkiye, rehabilitation
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation (PTR) services was very difficult during the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye. A telerehabilitation (TR) team was established to help disaster victims by recognizing their urgent health needs. This study aimed to determine whether TR could be used as a viable solution in situations where it is difficult to provide traditional face-to-face PTR services during an earthquake. Materials and Methods: Within the TR team, volunteer physiotherapists reached out to disaster victims and planned weekly treatments. The diagnoses of the disaster victims include cerebral palsy, peroneal nerve injury, drop foot, hand extensor tendon injury, muscle contusion, soft tissue injury, left wrist fracture, disc herniation, hemiparesis, facial paralysis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, severe back pain, and asthma. PTR services were provided with TR. Patients' satisfaction with TR was evaluated on a scale of 0-10. Results: A total of 25 earthquake victims contacted the TR team to receive rehabilitation. Fifteen patients successfully completed the TR process. The average number of TR sessions received by the patients was 4±3.48 days. The satisfaction level of 14 patients with the treatment was 9.5±1.02 out of 10. Conclusions: Accessing rehabilitation services during a disaster is a challenging task. When hospitals face challenges in providing healthcare services, leveraging technology through TR can be a viable solution. This study demonstrates that PTR services can be successfully delivered online during disasters.
DOWNLOAD PDF