Background: Telerehabilitation is emerging in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated occupational therapy professionals' perspectives on using telerehabilitation in their practice.
Method: Data were collected through semi-structured phone interviews conducted with nine Saudi occupational therapists. A pragmatic qualitative evaluation approach was used.
Findings: Experience and perceptions of participants regarding telerehabilitation were represented as follows: awareness and knowledge of telerehabilitation; how telerehabilitation increases occupational therapy availability and access in Saudi Arabia; telerehabilitation in the pandemic; telerehabilitation is preferred; suitability of telerehabilitation in Saudi Arabia; telerehabilitation care pathways; telerehabilitation readiness in Saudi Arabia; and telerehabilitation willingness by Saudi occupational therapists.
Conclusion: Saudi occupational therapists have good knowledge and awareness of telerehabilitation, and some had used it during the pandemic. They showed positive attitudes and a willingness to use telerehabilitation if appropriate technology infrastructure, official policy standards and guidelines, training, data security, and financial resources could be provided to support implementation.
Keywords: Occupational Therapy; Rehabilitation; Saudi Arabia; Telerehabilitation; e-health.
Copyright © 2023 Naif Q. Aljabri, Kim Bulkeley, Anne Cusick.