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Rhetorical Analysis of “Strategies for A Safe and Assertive Telerehabilitation Practice”

In recent years, telecommunication technology has advanced dramatically, paving the

way for new and innovative ways to provide healthcare services. One of the most promising and

rapidly expanding areas of telemedicine is telerehabilitation. Telerehabilitation refers to the use

of telecommunication technology to facilitate the remote delivery of rehabilitation services. This

cutting-edge approach to healthcare has the potential to revolutionize the way rehabilitation

services are delivered, especially in rural or remote areas where access to these services may be

limited. My research project dives into three perspectives on technology’s impact on physical

therapy. This source will benefit in perspective to telerehabilitation, while other sources will

cover the other two perspectives of traditional physical therapy, or the hybrid choice, which

facilitates both online and in-person therapy for the patient.

I chose “Strategies for a Safe and Assertive Telerehabilitation Practice” for my rhetorical

analysis. This article was written by four physical therapists: Luri Fioratti, Lívia G. Fernandes,

Felipe J. Reis, and Bruno T. Saragiotto. The article was launched after the pandemic of Covid

19, an infectious respiratory disease that caused many deaths and long-term effects. The

argument within the article is that telerehabilitation was introduced with inadequate professional

training and weak implementation guidance, so the authors came up with ways to practice

telerehabilitation correctly. The article also argues that online physical therapy can be an

accommodating tool for many, but not a complete alternative to traditional in-person therapy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on several areas of our society,

including healthcare. Traditional physical therapy has become difficult to access due to the need

for social isolation and reducing the virus’ exposure. Physical treatment through
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telerehabilitation has been demonstrated to help patients feel better physically and experience

less discomfort. In comparison to conventional physical treatment, it is also a less expensive

choice. Patients save money on traveling expenses and lessen the need for costly in-person

sessions. Patients who participate in online physical therapy sessions have mentioned feeling

more at ease and calm, which can help them feel less anxious and stressed, especially since they

are in the safety of their own environment at home.

The argument being conveyed is that traditional in-person physical therapy is not

accessible to everyone and that they should have access to help online. The authors created a set

of useful suggestions that can assist physical therapists as they employ technology to treat their

patients. The authors have some bias throughout this article, keeping a neutral stance while

trying to spread awareness on how to successfully implement telerehabilitation. The authors are

physical therapists, so their opinion on telerehabilitation is important. They seem to like the idea

of technology paving new ways to implement care for their patients. On the other hand, there is a

discourse about how not being physically analyzed or treated will result in a lack of motivation

or success when wanting to be healed. “The limits of telerehabilitation correspond to those of

telemedicine. Video calls target a maximum of two sensory systems, no more than sight and

hearing” (Tele Rehabilitation Advantages, Limitations and Clinics). Nonetheless, the authors

gave many great suggestions to encourage telerehabilitation for those who cannot overcome

challenges in the way of their physical recovery. These advancements will undoubtedly be most

helpful to immunocompromised individuals who avoid healthcare institutions out of fear of

contamination or to immobile people who find it difficult to visit a physician. 

The author’s structure, or framework, was explained when they began with how Covid19

affected healthcare, making it only obtainable remotely at the time. This brought attention to the
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topic of why telerehabilitation was made an option. Many people were scared to do physical

therapy in person, couldn’t drive to the therapy location, or were sick and couldn’t leave the

house. The authors gave their thesis, “Therefore, we have developed a series of practical

recommendations that may guide physical therapists throughout the use of technology for the

treatment of their patients” (Fioratti, et al.) which is supported by evidence given throughout the

article. There are various credible recommendations in the data set following the thesis.

In support of the argument at hand, the authors provided many examples backed up by

research to show the issue clearly. They supported their research with a data set called “Table 1.

Clinical recommendations for the use of telerehabilitation”. In this data set, there is a lot of

guidance toward a successful telerehabilitation session. There are tips on how to listen to the

patient’s preferences, communicate effectively, and battle demotivation. “Non-optimal

communication may result in a breakdown in patient/therapist relationship and

weakened therapeutic alliance, which can potentially result in poor clinical outcomes”

(Fioratti, et al.) Effective patient communication frequently results in more patient engagement

during therapy. Better treatment outcomes result from engagement success, which is mostly

dependent on patient motivation. “Feeling of impersonality due to lack of face-to-face contact

with the health professional, the presence of technical problems during telerehabilitation

sessions, and the inability of performing proposed activities might lead to patient demotivation

and further disengagement” (Fioratti, et al.) If the delivery method of telerehabilitation does not

meet the patient's expectations and preferences, patients may become dissatisfied or confused.

“Individuals with chronic pain often report a feeling of anxiety and catastrophizing due

to little knowledge about pain, especially during the onset of symptoms, and
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telerehabilitation can focus on the provision of information with regards to pain, pain

physiology, and activity pacing, for example” (Fioratti, et al.)

One of the main benefits of telerehabilitation is its ability to increase access to

rehabilitation services in underserved areas. Rural communities, as well as people with

disabilities or limited mobility, may not have access to rehabilitation services or may have to

travel long distances to receive them. Telerehabilitation can help bridge this gap by providing

these services remotely, thus reducing the need for patients to travel long distances. The authors

state that it is “crucial to keep using evidence-based treatments, understand the patient’s

preferences, communicate effectively, and assist in motivational aspects throughout therapy”

(Fioratti, et al.) The authors speak about the limitations and constraints of telerehabilitation but

do well in ensuring there is a solution. They cite many research findings in their article, ensuring

that there is credibility.

The authors use persuasive techniques to back up their argument. For example, they use

pathos to appeal to emotions and to provide a sense of understanding and relation with their

patients’ doubts about telerehabilitation. It is completely understandable to be worried if

telerehabilitation is just a waste of time and money, but they do their best to show empathy

towards their patients and ensure them that they will get the best care, online or in person. Logos,

or logical appeals, are presented in this article as well. The authors provide statistics and data to

support the claims that telerehabilitation has a success rate and works well as an accommodation.

In their data, they add their professional clinical recommendations for the use of

telerehabilitation.  

The authors use ethos to establish their credibility. Four physical therapists are trying to

make telerehabilitation less skeptical by providing a large amount of data proving it is another
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effective way of physical therapy. In the acknowledgments part of the article, the authors are

given credibility and recognized for their devotion to this research. They all have a Ph.D. and

Master in physical therapy.

Overall, “Strategies for a Safe and Assertive Telerehabilitation Practice” makes a strong

case for the value of telerehabilitation. It has emerged as a crucial tool for physical therapists to

continue helping those in need after the COVID-19 epidemic. “With the outbreak of COVID-

19, telerehabilitation has become an important option for physical therapists to continue

assisting those in need. Presenting clear and practical recommendations for

telerehabilitation may empower clinicians to better use technology as an alternative

mode of delivering physical therapy” (Fioratti, et al.) This article will benefit my research on

the highlights of telerehabilitation, and it will help me establish physical therapy literacy with my

audience. This article is useful for my research project because it warrants claims that rightfully

explain telerehabilitation’s usage and the success it can have. Telerehabilitation is a promising

and rapidly growing field that has the potential to increase access to rehabilitation services.

While it has its limitations, it offers a cost-effective and convenient alternative to traditional

rehabilitation services. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that the use of

telerehabilitation will become even more widespread, expanding access to these services to even

more people. The authors provided a variety of persuasive techniques to provide concise and

valuable telerehabilitation recommendations. The article successfully promoted this innovation

by making a compelling argument for its efficiency and accessibility. This should help doctors

make better use of technology as an adjustment for traditional physical therapy delivery.
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Works Cited

Fioratti, Iuri, et al. “Strategies for a Safe and Assertive Telerehabilitation Practice.” Revista

Brasileira De Fisioterapia, vol. 25, no. 2, Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-

Graduação em Fisioterapia, Mar. 2021, pp. 113–16.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.07.009.

Tele Rehabilitation Advantages, Limitations and Clinics.

www.primomedico.com/en/treatment/telerehabilitation/#What-are-the-advantages-and-

limitations-of-telerehabilitation--2162332717117776558.