OpenTeleRehab: customized remote rehabilitation services

Thanks to the OpenTeleRehab application, rehabilitation services can now be provided remotely, improving access to care in contexts where rehabilitation provision is limited. OpenTeleRehab is currently deployed in seven countries, including Cambodia, and more than 750 people are benefiting from it. Around thirty patients at the Kampong Cham Rehabilitation Center are using it.

How does it work?

Patients come to the rehabilitation center to receive initial rehabilitation care and information on how to use the OpenTeleRehab mobile application. When they return home, they can access their personalized treatment plan on their smartphone or tablet. This plan includes exercises, general information and educational materials. When necessary, at the request of the patient or the therapist, audio or video calls can be organized to ensure that the treatment plan is being implemented correctly and to monitor progress.

Constant support, even from a distance, for Nakry's family

Nakry, age 3, was born prematurely and has cerebral palsy. When she was around a year old, her parents began to worry about her developmental progress. On the advice of a relative, they travelled to HI’s rehabilitation center in Kampong Cham, more than 60 miles from their home.

At the Kampong Cham center, they found the help and support Nakry needed. This initial on-site treatment program helped them to overcome their feelings of isolation in the face of Nakry's difficulties. But it became increasingly difficult for them to travel to the center. Nakry's parents lost an entire day's pay each time and had to spend money on transport.  

It was therefore suggested that they try the telerehabilitation service.

”I'm really pleased with this application! I don't have to travel very often anymore, and my husband can go to work and earn money for our family,” says Nakry's mother.

Nakry's parents say that they can see their daughter's progress every day, just as if she were still at the rehabilitation center. Their next goal is to help Nakry to walk more independently.

"We've come all this way; I'll never stop believing and dreaming that we’ll achieve our goal. Thank you HI for everything, you are helping us realize our dream," her mother tells us.

Saving time and money for Phanith’s mother

Phanith, age 9, and her mother also live more than 60 miles from the Kampong Cham center. Born with cerebral palsy, Phanith has been under the care of HI specialists almost all her life.
The Kampong Cham rehabilitation center has become like a second home for this family. In addition to the rehabilitation sessions, Phanith’s mother has been able to talk regularly with other mothers of children with disabilities. At the age of four, Phanith took her first steps unassisted!

Her mother has been using the app for 2 years and she praises the effectiveness of the follow-up provided by HI's specialists:  

"With the OpenTeleRehab, I feel like I'm at the rehabilitation center with our physical therapist! What's more, I don't have to make too many trips to the center, which saves me energy and money," she says.

“This innovative system also helps to regulate patient flows at the Kampong Cham center,” explains Vimean Sron, head of HI’s rehabilitation service:

“The app allows us to reduce the number of people who come to the center while maintaining quality follow-up, even remotely. I find the application easy to use for patients and, combined with regular monitoring by our teams, it enables us to achieve positive results quickly!”