Table 1.

Practical suggestions for establishing a telerehabilitation service

Select TR patients carefully	Design a checklist applicable to the patient group with the purpose of establishing suitability for TR.
Set ground rules	Consider a staff and patient contract, agreed and signed at the start, outlining mutual expectations.
Agree on the communication platform to be used	Conduct trial runs until the patient feels comfortable. Consider creating ‘how to’ guides.
Consider the therapy environment	Support the patient to set up their home environment for TR.
Advise household members	Provide written information for other household members on how they can support the patient at home.
Assess available technology resources	If using BYOD: usage should be in line with organisational policy mandate the use of new accounts / bar use of existing personal accounts to protect staff and patient data.
Have a back-up plan and safety net	Agree a plan for IT failure. Collate emergency contact, GP and crisis team details in advance and store in an easily accessible place. Formulate a psychological risk management plan with appropriate safety-netting.
Consider professional obligations of team members	Ensure staff working remotely have access to clinical records.
Decide on review processes	Agree on outcome measures appropriate to the service. Agree an exit strategy for the end of therapy.
Allow extra time	Accommodate difficulties or delays with IT and administrative time. Encourage regular screen breaks.
Maintain oversight	Keep track of TR patients (eg via ‘virtual’ bed planning). Ensure regular MDT review and lead clinician oversight.

BYOD = bring your own device; GP = general practitioner; MDT = multidisciplinary team; TR = telerehabilitation.