RADIC Educational Handbook - 1. Guiding principles

a roadway sign pointing the way.

1.1 Introduction to Digital Rehabilitation 

Digital Rehabilitation refers to a suite of interventions that utilize digital tools, technologies, and services to optimize functioning, reduce disabilities, and monitor health status in individuals with health issues. This approach incorporates software applications, artificial intelligence, and devices like smartphones and tablets to enhance the rehabilitation journey. By managing client interactions with healthcare providers, monitoring progress, and facilitating personalized therapy programs, Digital Rehabilitation distinctly focuses on the rehabilitation process rather than broader health services.

The implementation of Digital Rehabilitation is a collaborative decision between healthcare professionals and clients, ensuring that interventions align with the client's needs and daily life. This blend of self-managed rehabilitation with professional guidance offers a flexible and effective rehabilitation process (Arntz et al., 2023; RADIC, 2024).

Digital Rehabilitation originated in the late 20th century with early developments in computer-assisted therapy for neurological rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago pioneered these technologies in the 1980s. The 1990s saw the introduction of Virtual Reality (VR) systems, which created immersive therapy environments for clients with conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injuries (Radic, 2024). Since the 2000s, advancements in VR, Augmented Reality (AR), robotics, sensors, and AI have significantly expanded the possibilities for personalized and effective rehabilitation.

The future of Digital Rehabilitation looks promising, with machine learning and data analysis poised to further refine therapy programs. Telemedicine and remote monitoring are expected to enhance accessibility, particularly in underserved regions. Digital Rehabilitation offers numerous benefits for clients, healthcare professionals, and the healthcare system. For clients, it provides accessible rehabilitation options, especially for those facing barriers like cost, transportation, or stigmatization. Digital tools offer continuous access to health information and support, fostering greater control over personal health (Arntz et al., 2023; RADIC, 2024). 

For healthcare professionals, digital solutions enable better client monitoring and quick adaptation of treatments. Enhanced communication through digital platforms supports personalized care. Additionally, healthcare providers benefit from streamlined processes such as online registration and billing.
These concepts of Digital Rehabilitation are central aspects for future care and should be encountered using this handbook, as it aims to support and reinforce a better understanding of Digital Rehabilitation for all learners e.g. your students.

1.2 Competences for Digital Rehabilitation

The Framework for Digital Rehabilitation Competences in East Africa (FDRC-East Africa) outlines the essential aspects of Digital Rehabilitation in the region, with the aim of increasing access to rehabilitation and improving the quality of care. It covers the necessary competences, digital activities, and behaviors required by the rehabilitation professionals to effectively deliver and support rehabilitation services, encompassing both digital and non-digital components throughout the entire rehabilitation process. 

This FDRC-East Africa is intended to serve as a guide for teaching and practice. The FDRC-East Africa is applicable to all rehabilitation disciplines and settings in East Africa, serving to clients of all ages receiving physical and mental rehabilitation. The framework was developed through an iterative process within the RADIC-project, with input from relevant stakeholders such as rehabilitation professionals, educators, and students, as well as the sources mentioned. 

The framework is organized around four dimensions: Health, Education, Livelihood & Social, and Empowerment and is linked to the Community-based Rehabilitation Indicators Manual (WHO, 2015). The dimensions describe the outcomes that rehabilitation professionals successfully achieve through Digital Rehabilitation interventions. To achieve the outcomes, the dimensions are linked to key competences in rehabilitation and digital activities (WHO, 2020; Voarikari et al., 2022; Punie & Redecker, 2017). For this purpose, the four competency domains are defined and mapped to behaviors that the rehabilitation professional should demonstrate. The competences are complemented with activities and tasks that health professionals should perform in the rehabilitation process in order to successfully apply (digital) rehabilitation. 

The framework for Digital Rehabilitation Competences in East Africa is based on the following sources: 

  • Community-based Rehabilitation Indicators Manual (WHO, 2015)
  • Rehabilitation Competency Framework (WHO, 2020)
  • DigComp 2.2. - the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (Voarikari et al., 2022)
  • DigCompEdu - European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (Punie, 2017)
  • Needs assessment WP01 RADIC-project
  • Landscape analysis WP02 RADIC-project
  • Curricula Mapping WP04 RADIC-project 

You can download the Framework for Digital Rehabilitation Competences in East Africa (FDRC-East Africa) here (pdf).
 

Continue to the Chapter 2. Organizational and digital resources >>

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