Challenges of tele-rehabilitation in children with disabilities in initial education

This research deals with the tele-rehabilitation service for children with disabilities in a post-Covid-19 era. There has been a boom with new working models and adaptation to new challenges and experiences of professionals in rehabilitation therapies. With such services as the most effective way to treat psychomotor deficits in children with disabilities, Rehabilitation Centers have reconfigured their planning by offering hybrid care, but there is a lack of integration of ICT for the delivery of these services through agile approaches. Under an Action-Design methodology, a survey was designed and applied to therapists from five Rehabilitation Centers in Mexico;focused on knowing four relevant aspects: Rehabilitation Teleworking;ICT in therapeutic activity;Communication between parents and Rehabilitation centers;and Patients. From the result, it can be inferred that there is a high level of interest at THE initial education in technological training and a need for higher quality stimulation tools and resources.

Emergency preparedness: Perceptions of people with disabilities

The prevalence of emergencies and disasters has increased over the past decade which has caused cities, states and countries to routinely develop emergency preparedness and management plans (Turk, 2016). Although these demands have increased, individuals with disabilities have been less represented in the development of the plans (Timmons, 2017;Turk, 2016). According to The World Bank Disaster Risk Management Report (2020), disasters (e.g., infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, hurricanes, earthquakes, industrial accidents.) and post-disaster consequences have increased over recent years.Although individuals with disabilities have become more aware of emergency preparedness and its importance, researchers have noted that there is a huge disparity of awareness and preparedness related to emergencies and disasters in the disability community (UNISDR Global Assessment Report, 2019). Therefore, this issue could adversely affect individuals with disabilities in essential areas of life (e.g., quality of life, employability, mobility, maintaining their home, communication) (Fox, et al., 2010;Twigg, et al., 2018). In addition, most studies seem to focus on disaster recovery and post disaster information rather than prevention and planning strategies that could help alleviate, and at times prevent, post-disaster issues for people with disabilities and elderly. Similarly, a lack of awareness of individualized emergency planning strategies for individuals with specific healthcare needs continues to be a significant reason why individuals with disabilities and elderly are more likely to be negatively affected by emergencies than other populations (Charlton, 2000;UNISDR, 2014). The lack of access to participate in emergency preparedness teams or organizations results in persons without disabilities continuing to exclude people with disabilities in the planning efforts of proper and inclusive emergency plans in their communities at large.The purpose of this study was to measure the self-perceptions of individuals with disabilities related to their level of emergency preparedness as well as access to emergency preparedness information. This study used purposive sampling by recruiting individuals with disabilities who have received services from their local center for independent living (CIL) and reside in the state of Texas. This study utilized the Texas Hazard Mitigation Questionnaire-Revised and a demographic survey that were developed by the researcher to help gain an understanding of general preparedness intentions and behavior as well as personal and demographic factors influencing decision making (e.g., information sources, risk perception, age, dwelling type, socioeconomic status). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Covid-19 impact on the provision of psychosocial rehabilitation services in latin america and the caribbean

Health care services have been deeply affected worldwide by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, and despite its importance to psychiatric reforms, very little has been written on actual responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in community psychiatry and psychosocial rehabilitation settings. Fifty-two mental health professionals from thirteen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were interviewed in May and June 2020 and shared their opinions on the state of psychosocial rehabilitation services and programs during the first one-hundred days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simple quantitative measures were added to a thematic analysis of responses. The results indicated that the disruption of group activities deeply affected psychosocial rehabilitation services, non-core activities (e.g., food and medication supply) became the most relevant aspects of these programs, shifting to remote mode proved to be a significant hurdle for many psychosocial rehabilitation service users, and long-term effect on rehabilitation services is expected by almost 90% of interviewees. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Governmental Policies on Rehabilitation Services and Physical Medicine in Jordan: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to a series of governmental policies and regulations around the world, the effect of these policies on access to and provision of rehabilitation services has not been examined, especially in low and middle- income countries. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of governmental policies and procedures on the number of patients who accessed rehabilitation services in the public sector in Jordan during the pandemic and to examine the combined effect of sociodemographic factors (age and gender) and the governmental procedures on this number of patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on records of 32,503 patients who visited the rehabilitation center between January 2020 and February 2021. Interrupted time-series analysis was conducted with three periods and by age and gender. Results: The number of patients who visited the rehabilitation clinics decreased significantly between January 2020 and May 2020 due to government-imposed policies, then increased significantly until peaking in September 2020 (p = 0.0002). Thereafter, the number of patients decreased between October 2020 and February 2021 as a result of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.02). The numbers of male and female patients did not differ (p > 0.05). There were more patients aged 20 years and older attending rehabilitation clinics than younger patients during the first strict lock down and the following reduction of restriction procedures periods (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 public measures in Jordan reduced access to rehabilitation services. New approaches to building resilience and access to rehabilitation during public health emergencies are needed. A further examination of strategies and new approaches to building resilience and increasing access to rehabilitation during public health emergencies is warranted.

Emergency preparedness: Perceptions of people with disabilities

The prevalence of emergencies and disasters has increased over the past decade which has caused cities, states and countries to routinely develop emergency preparedness and management plans (Turk, 2016). Although these demands have increased, individuals with disabilities have been less represented in the development of the plans (Timmons, 2017;Turk, 2016). According to The World Bank Disaster Risk Management Report (2020), disasters (e.g., infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, hurricanes, earthquakes, industrial accidents.) and post-disaster consequences have increased over recent years.Although individuals with disabilities have become more aware of emergency preparedness and its importance, researchers have noted that there is a huge disparity of awareness and preparedness related to emergencies and disasters in the disability community (UNISDR Global Assessment Report, 2019). Therefore, this issue could adversely affect individuals with disabilities in essential areas of life (e.g., quality of life, employability, mobility, maintaining their home, communication) (Fox, et al., 2010;Twigg, et al., 2018). In addition, most studies seem to focus on disaster recovery and post disaster information rather than prevention and planning strategies that could help alleviate, and at times prevent, post-disaster issues for people with disabilities and elderly. Similarly, a lack of awareness of individualized emergency planning strategies for individuals with specific healthcare needs continues to be a significant reason why individuals with disabilities and elderly are more likely to be negatively affected by emergencies than other populations (Charlton, 2000;UNISDR, 2014). The lack of access to participate in emergency preparedness teams or organizations results in persons without disabilities continuing to exclude people with disabilities in the planning efforts of proper and inclusive emergency plans in their communities at large.The purpose of this study was to measure the self-perceptions of individuals with disabilities related to their level of emergency preparedness as well as access to emergency preparedness information. This study used purposive sampling by recruiting individuals with disabilities who have received services from their local center for independent living (CIL) and reside in the state of Texas. This study utilized the Texas Hazard Mitigation Questionnaire-Revised and a demographic survey that were developed by the researcher to help gain an understanding of general preparedness intentions and behavior as well as personal and demographic factors influencing decision making (e.g., information sources, risk perception, age, dwelling type, socioeconomic status). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Can older workers be retrained? Canadian evidence from worker-firm linked data

Our empirical analysis is based on Statistics Canada’s worker-firm matched data set, the 2003 Workplace and Employee Survey (WES). The sample size is substantial: about 4,000 workers over the age of 50 and 12,000 between the ages of 25 and 49. Training was a focus of the survey, which offers a wealth of worker-related and firm-related training variables. We found that the mean probability of receiving training was 9.3 percentage points higher for younger workers than for older ones. Almost half of the gap is explained by older workers having fewer training-associated characteristics (personal, employment, workplace, human resource practices and occupation/industry/region), and slightly more than half by them having a lower propensity to receive training, this being the gap that remained after we controlled for differences in training-associated characteristics. Their lower propensity to receive training likely reflects the higher opportunity cost of lost wages during the time spent in training, possible higher psychological costs and lower expected benefits due to their shorter remaining work-life and lower productivity gains from training, as discussed in the literature. The lower propensity of older workers to receive training tended to prevail across 54 different training measures, with notable exceptions discussed in detail. We found that older workers can be trained, but their training should be redesigned in several ways: by making instruction slower and self-paced;by assigning hands-on practical exercises;by providing modular training components to be taken in stages;by familiarizing the trainees with new equipment;and by minimizing required reading and amount of material covered. The concept of “one-size-fits- all” does not apply to the design and implementation of training programs for older workers.Alternate :Notre analyse empirique est fondée sur l’ensemble des données appariées entre les travailleurs et les entreprises de Statistique Canada, le Workplace and Employee Survey (WES) de 2003. La taille de l’échantillon est importante, environ 4 000 travailleurs de plus de 50 ans et 12 000 qui ont entre 25 et 49 ans. Cette enquête est centrée sur la formation, de sorte qu’elle comporte une multitude de variables sur ce sujet tant pour les travailleurs que pour les entreprises. Notre analyse économétrique a révélé que la probabilité moyenne de recevoir une formation était de 9,3 points de pourcentage plus élevée chez les jeunes que chez les travailleurs plus âgés. Près de la moitié de cet écart peut être attribué au fait que les travailleurs âgés ont moins de caractéristiques associées à la réception de la formation (c’est-à-dire caractéristiques personnelles, d’emploi, du milieu de travail, des pratiques en matière de ressources humaines et de la profession/industrie/région). D’autre part, un peu plus de la moitié de l’écart est attribué au fait qu’ils ont moins tendance à recevoir des formations après avoir pris en compte leurs caractéristiques. Cela reflète probablement un coût d’opportunité plus élevé des salaires perdus pendant la formation et des coûts psychiques possiblement plus élevés pour les travailleurs plus âgés. Comme le révèle la littérature, cela reflète aussi le fait qu’il y a moins d’avantages à former les personnes plus âgées en raison de leur horizon de vie professionnelle plus court et des gains de productivité plus faibles associés à la formation. La faible tendance des travailleurs âgés à recevoir une formation s’exprime dans 54 mesures de la formation, avec quelques exceptions notables. Nous constatons que les travailleurs âgés peuvent être formés, mais cela nécessite une formation conçue pour répondre aux besoins des travailleurs âgés. Ces caractéristiques comprennent une instruction plus lente et auto-rythmée, des exercices pratiques, des composants de formation modulaires qui se construisent par étapes, les familiariser avec de nouveaux équipements et minimiser la lecture requise et la quantité de matériel couvert. Le concept d’uniformité ne s’applique pas à la conception et à la mise en oeuvre de formations pour les travailleurs âgés.

Experiences of workers with post-COVID-19 symptoms can signpost suitable workplace accommodations

Purpose>The prevalence and multi-system nature of post-COVID-19 symptoms warrants clearer understanding of their work ability implications within the working age population. An exploratory survey was undertaken to provide empirical evidence of the work-relevant experiences of workers recovering from COVID-19.Design/methodology/approach>A bespoke online survey based on a biopsychosocial framework ran between December 2020 and February 2021. It collected quantitative ratings of work ability and return-to-work status, qualitative responses about return-to-work experiences, obstacles and recommendations, along with views on employer benefits for making accommodations. A sample of 145 UK workers recovering from COVID-19 was recruited via social media, professional networks and industry contacts. Qualitative data was subject to thematic analysis. Participants were mainly from health/social care (50%) and educational settings (14%).Findings>Just over 90% indicated that they had experienced at least some post-COVID-19 symptoms, notably fatigue and cognitive effects. For 55%, symptoms lasted longer than six months. Only 15% had managed a full return-to-work. Of the 88 who provided workability ratings, just 13 and 18% respectively rated their physical and mental workability as good or very good. Difficulties in resuming work were attributed to symptom unpredictability, their interaction with job demands, managing symptoms and demands in parallel, unhelpful attitudes and expectations. Manager and peer support was reported as variable.Originality/value>Workplace health management characterised by flexible long-term collaborative return-to-work planning, supported by more COVID-centric absence policies and organisational cultures, appear pivotal for sustaining the return-to-work of the large segments of the global workforce affected by post-COVID-19 symptoms.

Use of Technology to Facilitate Performance of Activities of Daily Living in Persons Availing Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services During Covid-19 Pandemic.

The global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has brought about previously unimaginable changes to all of health care, including the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. During the pandemic, many issues pertaining to the people with SMI(Severe Mental Illness) was addressed, however, we have not found any studies exploring the impact of pandemic on Activities of daily living. Here we discuss two case reports to furnish the first -hand experience on how online sessions have helped patients to improve their Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), a component of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Though the pandemic had an impact on IADL initially in both the patients, with technology facilitated psychiatric rehabilitation both patients improved in areas of managing household chores, cooking, concentration and memory as reported by their caregivers. Family involvement in care and bonding also increased. Online sessions facilitated persons with mental illness to engage in daily activities, created an interest in them to attend the sessions and to translate them in real-time world and increased the involvement of caregivers in training them.

Corticosteroids and pulmonary rehabilitation reducing long-term morbidity in a patient with post-COVID-19 pneumonitis: A case study.

BACKGROUND: Whilst research efforts have focussed on treatment during the acute phase, little work has focussed on the long-term sequelae of COVID-19 infection. This case described a patient who remained symptomatic several weeks after discharge from hospital with what was diagnosed as a COVID-19 infection. There were significant deficits shown in his functional exercise testing, his pulmonary functions testing and there was evidence of fibrotic changes on his radiology. METHODS: As part of a multidisciplinary clinic, he was started on steroids and a tailored pulmonary rehabilitation course over a course of 6-8 weeks. Thereafter, his exercise testing, pulmonary function tests and radiology were all repeated to see progress. RESULTS: On completing the course of corticosteroids and concurrent personalised pulmonary rehabilitation, there was a dramatic improvement in the patient's symptom severity, radiology and pulmonary function. The most significant improvement noted was in his exercise testing, namely a 6-min walk test and 1 min of sit-to-stands. Before treatment, he had a Medical Reserch Council (MRC) score of 2, and after it returned to his baseline of 0. DISCUSSION: Using corticosteroids and exercise training that allowed quantitative evaluation throughout the stages of recovery was a valuable tool to gauge progress and response to treatment. These therapies present opportunity to prevent the development of irreversible pulmonary fibrosis that could prove to be a major breakthrough in reducing long-term morbidity and improving the quality of life of those affected.

A 'new normal' following COVID-19 and the economic crisis: Using systems thinking to identify challenges and opportunities in disability, telework, and rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that emerged in late 2019, and later become a global pandemic, has unleashed an almost unprecedented global public health and economic crisis. OBJECTIVE: In this perspective, we examine the effects of COVID-19 and identify a likely 'new normal' in terms of challenges and opportunities within the fields of disability, telework, and rehabilitation. METHODS: We use a systems thinking lens informed by recent empirical evidence and peer-reviewed qualitative accounts regarding the pandemic to identify emerging challenges, and pinpoint opportunities related to health and changing employment infrastructure of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals. RESULTS: From our interpretation, the key leverage points or opportunities include: (1) developing disability-inclusive public health responses and emergency preparedness; (2) enabling employment and telework opportunities for people with disabilities; (3) addressing the new requirements in rehabilitation service provision, including participating as essential team members in the care of people with infectious diseases such as COVID-19; (4) embracing the added emphasis on, and capacity for, telehealth; and (5) developing greater resilience, distance learning, and employability among the rehabilitation workforce. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has become increasingly challenging to the lives of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals; however, key challenges can be minimized and opportunities can be capitalized upon in order to 'build back better' after COVID-19.

COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: Situation and challenges of rehabilitation medicine in Indonesia.

AbstrakCOVID-19 telah menjadi pandemik di Indonesia sejak ditemukannya kasus pertama pada tanggal 2 Maret 2020 di Depok. Peningkatan kasus perhari semakin tinggi sejak akhir Agustus 2020 yang mencapai lebih dari 2000 kasus per hari. Sistem kesehatan di Indonesia perlu ditingkatkan dalam hal kapasitas, termasuk rehabilitasi medik yang harus dilibatkan dari fase akut hingga jangka panjang dalam penanganan pasien COVID-19. Rehabilitasi medik juga diperlukan untuk pasien lain yang bukan COVID-19. Pentingnya keterlibatan, pelayanan rehabilitasi medik dan implementasinya dimasa pandemic COVID-19 memerlukan strategi tersendiri yang harus dilakukan baik oleh pekerja kesehatannya, rumah sakit dan kebijakan pemerintah. Hal ini diperlukan untuk percepatan peningkatan kesehatan pasien, percepatan pemulangan dan menghindari readmisi pasien, dan juga pengoptimalan program kembali bekerja untuk pasien yang sembuh dari COVID-19.AbstractCOVID-19 has become a pandemic in Indonesia since the first cases have been positively diagnosed on 2 March 2020 in Depok. The cases have been increased gradually since the end of August 2020 that has reached 1000 cases per day. The health system in Indonesia needs to be improved in terms of capacity, including rehabilitation medicine that should be involved in all health phases (from acute to long-term) in managing patients with COVID-19. Rehabilitation is also still needed for other non-COVID-19 patients. The importance of involvement and implementation of rehabilitation services during the COVID-19 pandemic will need special strategies that should be done by rehabilitation professionals, hospitals, and government. These are necessary to accelerate the improvement of patients' health, discharge, and avoid re-admission, as well as optimize return-to-work for patients who are recovered from COVID-19.