Telerehabilitation has proven its effectiveness in stroke, cardiovascular diseases and some musculoskeletal conditions. There is dearth in literature exploring the effect of telerehabilitation in India and in patients with hip conditions.   

Telerehabilitation on its own is not a complete solution to rehabilitation unless it utilises the innovative way in the process of its application. Active participation of client in such rehabilitation process leads to success. Therefore the study would like to develop an application which would guide clients to access telerehabilitation.

Need of the study

Therefore, there is a need to

·         Establish an application system in the hospital website where patients may login with minimal payment to seek advice and show progress of their follow –up rehabilitation to the therapist.

·         Establish online documentation tool to record data

·         To find the effectiveness of TR in cases of rehabilitation following hip fracture, as the rehabilitation timespan is more, and the face to face follow up is sometimes not possible after discharge from hospital for such population category.

IV. Objectives

Phase 1

            Primary objective

1.    To develop an application ‘MeRRA’ (Manipal e-rehab remote access) which will be compatible to windows, android and mac version to allow pathway to video conferencing

Secondary objective

1.    To create online documentation tool for orthopaedic in-patient and outpatient Physical Therapy department.

Phase 2

Primary objective

1.    To measure the effectiveness of TR in fractures around hip

Secondary Objective

• To monitor patients progress with outcome measures
• To record satisfaction level using the application
• To perform its Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis

The application if proven to be satisfying to patients and therapist, it will be a useful tool to monitor patients progress which is otherwise hindered in rehabilitation. Clients who find it difficult to come to hospital for a follow-up visit usually does not come for follow up or they delay the follow up unless any fresh complaint start. This application will help therapist monitor patient and advice accordingly. The documentation will be a useful tool as the checklist will not let components of assessment get missed by therapist. The data can be used in a period of time to do retrospective analysis and derive conclusion for the betterment of the profession and client.

The application will be cost effective comparing it to face to face consultation. Each consultation visit will amount not more than rupee 80. The cost approximation is made taken into consideration that in a month we will be expecting 250 clients for the same. The actual cost a patient bear for a consultation as an OPD or IPD care which is usually a minimum of rupee 100 to 150 per visit. Physical Therapy rehabilitation involves multiple session of interaction. The visit to a hospital also includes the transportation cost and the time involved in the travel. If such issues are taken care of by having a session of therapy or consultation at home, then the people of the country will be able to afford such health care.