Families' and therapists' experience of a telehealth programme for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: AIM: To understand how families and therapists perceived their participation in an individualized home telehealth programme implemented for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHOD: This was a descriptive qualitative study that included 13 families of children and adolescents with CP (classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V) and 20 therapists, who participated in an individualized home telehealth programme. Semi-structured, online interviews were carried out with participants after completing the intervention to understand their expectations, challenges, and benefits, and to gather suggestions for future services. The interviews were transcribed for thematic analysis. RESULTS: The three themes were (1) fear of the unknown, (2) new pathways, and (3) benefits and future perspectives. Participants recognized that active family engagement during the intervention, the establishment of individualized goals, and communication between parents and therapists led to changes in children's involvement, family routines, and parental empowerment regarding their children's rehabilitation process. INTERPRETATION: The establishment of a partnership between therapists and families, by combining technical knowledge and living experience, contributed to the successful implementation of the intervention. Future actions may involve the adoption of hybrid intervention models focused on the specific needs of families of children and adolescents with CP.
DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.70042
Institutions: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Columbia University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,300
OpenAlex ID: W4415748833