Original Title: Télésanté : lignes directrices cliniques et normes technologiques en téléréadaptation

Authors' objectives: With care and services being reorganized in Quebec, telerehabilitation is being called on to play an important role in improving the continuity and complementarity of rehabilitation care and services throughout the province. However, in order to implement well-structured programs and foster optimal telerehabilitation use, standardization is necessary. This is the primary objective of this report.

Authors' recommendations: Defining clinical guidelines and technical standards aimed at standardizing telerehabilitation practice will foster its broad implementation. Quebec will thus be better able to avail itself of the large-scale projects funded by the Health Infoway. This treatment modality could prove to be a valuable asset in ensuring a more equitable distribution of rehabilitation expertise throughout the province. This would promote the smooth development of telerehabilitation activities in Quebec. Given the foregoing considerations, AETMIS recommends that the Ministere de la Sante et des Services sociaux adopt the main guidelines and technical standards proposed in this report, in cooperation with the authorities concerned. From this standpoint, to permit a quality practice environment, the technical infrastructure should be upgraded to a minimum standard of 384 Kbps of bandwidth together with an H.263 data-compression protocol, then gradually be brought up to an optimal standard of 384 Kbps of bandwidth with an H.264 compression protocol. Data-packet loss should not exceed 0.5%. Minimally, latency should be less than 500 ms, optimally, less than 300 ms. These standards should be applied to the entire data capture, transmission and reception chain. Telerehabilitation consultation rooms containing the appropriate equipment and accessories should be set up in the appropriate clinical settings and where the needs are the greatest. Taking the human and organizational aspects into account helps ensure the success of this type of activity. The legal and ethical aspects should also be considered. As well, a more detailed economic analysis should be carried out prior to any massive investment in telerehabilitation. Lastly, the implementation of telerehabilitation should be subjected to a rigorous downstream assessment in order to improve its management and performance.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/publications/repertoire-des-publications/publication/telesante-lignes-directrices-cliniques-et-normes-technologiques-en-telereadaptation.html

Year Published: 2006

URL for published report: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/publications/repertoire-des-publications/publication/telesante-lignes-directrices-cliniques-et-normes-technologiques-en-telereadaptation.html

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Other

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé

Contact Address: 2021, avenue Union, Bureau 10.083,Montreal, Quebec H3A S29, Canada.Tel: +1 514 873 2563; Fax: +1 514 873 1369

Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Copyright: Agence d'Evaluation des Technologies et des Modes d'Intervention en Sante (AETMIS)