1. Use of real-time videoconferencing to deliver physiotherapy services:
A scoping review of published and emerging evidence
Authors
Stephanie Horsley BKin, MPT1
Kara Montieth BKin, MPT1
Bryttnee Mowat BKin, MPT1
Kiara Stasiuk BKin, MPT1
Gunnar Schock BKin, MPT1
Stacey Lovo Grona, PhD1
Catherine Boden PhD2
Brenna Bath PT PhD1,3
Contact Information
Brenna Bath
School of Rehabilitation Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306)
Will add MPT after graduation
1School of Rehabilitation Science, University of Saskatchewan
2 Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library, University of Saskatchewan
3Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture

2. INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY OBJECTIVE
Access to physical therapy may be difficult for individuals in rural and remote communities and/or low-income countries. (1)
Despite telehealth being available since 1997, its use in clinical practice, particularly physical therapy, is limited. (2)
As the potential of telehealth technologies in physical therapy practice continues to develop, there is a greater need to understand the research completed to date as well as emerging research on this topic.
The scoping review was informed by the Arksey and O’Malley methodology framework. (3)
4 electronic databases and 4 registries were searched (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, WHO international clinical trials registry platform, ANZCTR, Prospero, and clinicaltrials.gov).
Inclusion criteria included: physical therapy assessment and/or treatment, real-time videoconferencing , and English language.
OBJECTIVE
To examine and describe trends, gaps, and opportunities in published and emerging evidence on the use of real-time videoconferencing to deliver physical therapy services.

3. Table 1 – Sample Size Descriptives Figure 1 – PRISMA Diagram
RESULTS
Table 1 – Sample Size Descriptives
Figure 1 – PRISMA Diagram

4. RESULTS Figure 2 – Articles Published Per Year
Figure 3 – Geographical Distribution of Total Combined Research

5. IMPLICATIONS AND NEXT STEPS
CONCLUSIONS
IMPLICATIONS AND NEXT STEPS
Outcomes/Study type: Few systematic reviews and randomized control trials.
Sample Size: Relatively small sample sizes.
Location: Little research being done outside Canada, United States and Australia.
Age: Most research focused on year old range.
Conditions Studied: Most research focuses on musculoskeletal conditions.
Platform and technology: Few studies explicitly stated which technology and/or platform was used.
This scoping review demonstrates the diverse ways in which telehealth has been implemented in the research to date.
Future research should focus on:
Developing more randomized control trials and systematic reviews.
Increasing sample sizes.
Focusing on pediatric and geriatric populations over the age of 80.
Examining practice areas other than musculoskeletal.
Emphasising the reporting of platform and technology.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Funding support provided by the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.
References
(1) Jesus TS, Landry MD, Dussault G, Fronteira I. Human resources for health (and rehabilitation): Six Rehab-Workforce Challenges for the century. Hum Resour Health [Internet]. BioMed Central; 2017 Jan 23;15(1):8.
(2) World Health Organization. Telemedicine: opportunities and developments in member states. Report on the second global survey on eHealth. World Health Organization; 2010.
(3) Arksey H, O’Malley L. Scoping Studies: Towards a Methodological Framework. International Journal Of Social Research Methodology. 2005;8(1):19-32.