Optimal management of health care for persons with disability related to spinal cord injury: learning from the Sunnaas model of telerehabilitation

Telemedicine is changing healthcare delivery, especially benefiting individuals with disabilities like spinal cord injury (SCI) who face travel challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, suggesting it should be a permanent part of hospital systems. The Sunnaas rehabilitation hospital in Norway has developed a successful telerehabilitation model using videoconferencing to provide long-term follow-up for individuals with SCI, improving accessibility and knowledge transfer. Telerehabilitation involves communication via videoconferencing to improve wellness or rehabilitation status, ensuring data safety and privacy. It includes training for participants in ethical guidelines and equipment use.

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  The Sunnaas model of telerehabilitation improves public health and supports more sustainable health services, including accessibility, prevention, and better interaction between healthcare providers.
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  Telerehabilitation has been expanded to include other diagnostic groups, such as stroke and cerebral palsy, and incorporates exercise supervision.
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  Videoconferencing ensures consumers receive necessary follow-up and makes it possible for caregivers and local healthcare providers to interact virtually, resulting in proximity at a distance between all participants.