Strengths and limitations of using mobile technology in community based rehabilitation in a resource-poor setting

Limited access to rehabilitation, especially in the world’s poorest areas, is global health, development, and human rights challenge. Mobile technology and the increase of smartphones in Sub-Saharan Africa has created new opportunities to improve and scale rehabilitation in situations where rehabilitation professionals are few. Research on mobile technology and Community Based Rehabilitation in resource-poor setting is limited both in number and quality. This research aims to increase knowledge on how mobile technology could improve and scale access to rehabilitation in resource-poor setting. The study has been done using qualitative content analysis. Altogether 28 caretakers from households with disabilities and rehabilitation personnel from Tanga, Tanzania were interviewed. Aim was to get views from present availability and quality of health, rehabilitation, and other relevant services including factors contributing towards self-management and motivation of households. Data was also collected relating to the role of mobile technology in households and in home- based rehabilitation. Participants tested the applicability of AI-powered mobile solution that could provide automated advice and support. Inductive content analysis was used during the analysis phase. The analysis found external and internal contributors that impact home-based rehabilitation outcomes. Data also shows how mobiles are presently used in rehabilitation and what participants expect from mobile technology in future. This research provides evidence that when households with disabilities have access to evidence-based information and learning, rehabilitation can be effective, even when rehabilitation professionals are few or not available. Community Based Rehabilitation provides an opportunity for tele-rehabilitation and especially for using AI-powered technologies to automate rehabilitation advise and support. More research is needed on cost-effectiveness and how to ensure equal access