Telerehabilitation In South Africa – Is There A Way Forward?

Authors

  • Maurice Mars Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine University of KwaZulu-Natal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2011.6069

Abstract

South Africa, like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, has a disproportionate burden of disease and a shortage of health professionals. Telemedicine has been identified as a possible way of overcoming part of the problem but telemedicine has not been widely adopted. In the public sector hospitals in South Africa which serve 82% of the population there are 2.5 physiotherapists and 2 occupational therapists per 100,000 people served. The extent of telerehabilitation in South Africa is unknown. A literature review of telerehabilitation found no papers from South Africa. A survey of the heads of university departments of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language pathology revealed limited knowledge of telerehabilitation. Telerehabilitation services are confined to follow-up of patients at some institutions by telephone, fax or email. There is need to raise awareness among therapists if telerehabilitation is to become a reality in South Africa.  Future actions are outlined.

  

Author Biography

Maurice Mars, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine University of KwaZulu-Natal

Dr. Mars is President of the South African Telemedicine Association and  Professor and Head of the Dept of TeleHealth, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine.

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Published

2011-05-24

How to Cite

Mars, M. (2011). Telerehabilitation In South Africa – Is There A Way Forward?. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2011.6069

Issue

Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 2011

Section

Country Report

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