Patients’ Readiness And Perception Toward Tele-Rehabilitation In India: Narrative Study

Pranav Naresh Gaunekar

Patients’ Readiness And Perception Toward Tele-Rehabilitation In India: Narrative Study

Author(s)	Pranav Naresh Gaunekar
Country	India
Abstract	ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND Tele-rehabilitation has emerged as a vital extension of physiotherapy services in India, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for remote, accessible, and cost-effective healthcare delivery. Despite its growing use, patients’ readiness, acceptance, and perception toward tele-rehabilitation vary widely due to factors such as digital literacy, socio-economic status, infrastructure availability, and trust in virtual care. Understanding these perceptions is essential for optimizing service delivery and enhancing engagement and outcomes. OBJECTIVE To explore and synthesize existing evidence on patients’ readiness, attitudes, and perceptions toward tele-rehabilitation in India, and to identify major barriers, facilitators, and expectations influencing its utilization. METHODOLOGY A narrative review design was adopted. Literature published between 2015 and 2024 was searched using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINHAL. Keywords included “tele-rehabilitation,” “tele-physiotherapy,” “patient perception,” “readiness,” and “India.” Studies reporting patient-related perspectives, usability, acceptance, and satisfaction toward tele-rehabilitation services were included. Data were synthesized thematically to identify recurring patterns, challenges, and enablers. RESULTS Across the reviewed studies, patient readiness toward tele-rehabilitation in India ranged from moderate to high, influenced primarily by smartphone accessibility, prior exposure to technology, and perceived convenience of remote sessions. Positive perceptions included reduced travel burden, cost savings, flexibility in scheduling, and continuity of care. However, concerns remained regarding internet stability, lack of physical touch, doubts in clinical effectiveness, privacy issues, and limited digital literacy among older adults. Rural-urban differences were evident, with rural populations showing comparatively lower readiness due to poor connectivity and technology access. CONCLUSION Patients in India demonstrate a growing acceptance of tele-rehabilitation, provided the services are user-friendly, reliable, and supported by adequate technological infrastructure. Enhancing digital literacy, improving platform accessibility, and integrating hybrid models of care may significantly increase patient readiness and satisfaction. This narrative review highlights the need for patient-centered tele-rehabilitation models tailored to the diverse socio-economic and cultural landscape of India.
Keywords	Tele-rehabilitation; Patient readiness; Perception; Tele-physiotherapy; India; Digital health acceptance.
Discipline	Other
Published In	Volume 3, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-06
Cite This	Patients’ Readiness And Perception Toward Tele-Rehabilitation In India: Narrative Study - Pranav Naresh Gaunekar - AIJMR Volume 3, Issue 6, November-December 2025.

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Patients’ Readiness And Perception Toward Tele-Rehabilitation In India: Narrative Study

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