Education in Digital Rehabilitation: learning needs, barriers and facilitators in Spain.

File
Iosune Salinas-Bueno, Elisa Bosch-Donate, Paz Martínez-Bueso, Olga Velasco-Roldán, Inmaculada Riquelme-Agulló
Purpose:

This study seeks to reaffirm the concept of digital rehabilitation and explore the learning needs, barriers, and facilitators of Digital Rehabilitation training in Spain. It is part of a broader international research initiative focused on developing Digital Rehabilitation competencies among higher education teachers, students, and healthcare professionals.

Methods:
A qualitative, exploratory, observational approach was employed to gather in-depth insights from students, teachers, and healthcare professionals in Spain regarding their perceptions of Digital Rehabilitation. Focus groups were used to identify the learning needs, barriers, and enablers for Digital Rehabilitation training.
Results:

The findings suggest that Digital Rehabilitation is beneficial across various healthcare environments and can improve healthcare access. However, a significant gap exists in the competencies needed by stakeholders to fully harness Digital Rehabilitation's potential. The key learning needs identified include knowledge of Spanish Digital Rehabilitation regulations and ethics, enhanced digital health literacy, and the development of digital and communication skills suited to a digital context. The lack of necessary competencies was the main barrier to Digital Rehabilitation implementation and training.

Conclusion(s):

Training in both digital rehabilitation and educational digital competencies is essential across all educational levels and for all stakeholders, including teachers, students, and healthcare professionals.

Implications:

There is a need to develop training programs that address the identified learning needs, particularly in digital competencies, to effectively equip teachers, students, and healthcare professionals with the skills required for Digital Rehabilitation.

Funding acknowledgements:
This work is part of the DIRENE-project (2020-1-FI01-KA226-HE-092634) funded by the Erasmus + Programme Key Action 2: Strategic Partnerships.
Keywords:
Digital Rehabilitation
Competences
Barriers
Primary topic:
Education
Second topic:
Education: methods of teaching and learning
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Research Ethical Committed of the University of the Balearic Islands (Spain)
Provide the ethics approval number:
204CER21
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

Back to the listing