Patient and caregiver perspectives on telerehabilitation: A scoping review protocol

Abstract

Background: Global demand for rehabilitation services is increasing, yet access remains constrained, with low- to middle-income countries facing disproportionate barriers. Telerehabilitation offers a promising solution, but successful implementation depends on understanding user perspectives and acceptance.
Aim: This scoping review aims to synthesise patient, caregiver and family member perceptions and experiences regarding technology-delivered rehabilitation services and identify implications for improving service delivery through this modality.
Setting: Studies examining telerehabilitation interventions across various healthcare contexts published between 2000 and 2024.
Method: A complete search of the literature will be conducted across four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCOhost) supplemented by grey literature sources including theses, opinion pieces, scholarly articles and organisational reports. Two reviewers will independently examine titles, abstracts and full texts of English and Afrikaans publications reporting qualitative information on perspectives and experiences of patients who received telerehabilitation or their family members/caregivers.
Results: The scoping review will summarise current evidence on user experiences with telerehabilitation, identifying key themes, barriers, facilitators and recommendations.
Conclusion: This review will provide valuable insights into stakeholder experiences with telerehabilitation to inform future implementation.
Contribution: Findings will guide the development of patient-centred telerehabilitation programmes and identify research gaps to enhance technology-enabled rehabilitation service delivery worldwide.