{
  "abstract": "Introduction: Telerehabilitation (TR) has emerged as an innovative modality to ensure continuity of care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its potential benefits, its adoption by physiotherapists remains limited. This study aimed to identify the reasons for non-adoption of TR among Tunisian physiotherapists.\n\nMethods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2023 with a representative sample of physiotherapists in private practice in Greater Tunis, comprising the governorates of Tunis, Ben Arous, Ariana, and Manouba. Data were collected using a standardized face-to-face questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi Info software version 7.2.5.0.\n\nResults: A total of 200 physiotherapists were included, 86.5% of whom were women. The median age was 32 years, ranging from 21 to 59. More than half of participants (59.0%) reported having already heard of TR. Among those (n = 118), nearly half (49.2%, 58/118) had used it in their practice. Physiotherapists who were aware of TR but had never adopted it (n = 60) were asked about their reasons for non-adoption. The main reason reported was the absence of physical contact with patients (65.0%), followed by no patient demand (25.0%) and lack of information about TR (20.0%). Other reasons included technical complexity (13.3%) and lack of infrastructure (6.7%).\n\nConclusions: Despite moderate awareness, telerehabilitation adoption remains limited among physiotherapists. Concerns about the lack of physical contact, along with informational, technical, and demand-related barriers, hinder its use. Addressing these factors is essential to support the integration of TR as a complementary modality in physiotherapy practice.\n\nKey messages: • Despite awareness of telerehabilitation, 50.8% of informed Tunisian physiotherapists never adopted it, mainly citing the absence of physical patient contact (65%).\n\n• Promoting TR adoption in Tunisia requires patient education on its benefits, stronger physiotherapist training, and adequate technical and logistical support.",
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  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "abstract",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "R Gharbi"
    },
    {
      "name": "G Kharroubi"
    },
    {
      "name": "E Arfaoui"
    },
    {
      "name": "I Cherif"
    },
    {
      "name": "W Affes"
    },
    {
      "name": "J Bettaieb"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b559cvz43r09a.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1225",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13699946/",
  "id": "b559cvz43r09a",
  "issns": [
    "1101-1262",
    "1464-360X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1225",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
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  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "6. Poster Displays"
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    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/MED00860"
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    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/SOC01210"
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      "heading",
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      "heading",
      "DE. Digital health and Artificial Intelligence"
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    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation"
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  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13699946/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13699946",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "Oxford University Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b559cvz43r09a.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:28Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13699946",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1225"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:40Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13699946",
      "source": "europepmc",
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    }
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2739|Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Reasons for Non-Adoption of Telerehabilitation Among Physiotherapists in Tunis, Tunisia",
  "title_text": "Reasons for Non-Adoption of Telerehabilitation Among Physiotherapists in Tunis, Tunisia",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:36:26Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b559cvz43r09a",
  "venue": "The European Journal of Public Health",
  "versions": []
}