Meeting Unmet Needs for Stroke Rehabilitation in Rural Public Health: Explorative Economic Evaluation of Upper Limb Robotics-Based Technologies through a Capabilities Lens

Natasha Brusco (), Andrea Voogt, Melissa Nott, Libby Callaway, Mae Mansoubi and Natasha Layton ()
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Natasha Brusco: Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3199, Australia
Andrea Voogt: Department of Allied Health & Community Services, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Wangaratta 3747, Australia
Melissa Nott: Three Rivers Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2640, Australia
Libby Callaway: Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3199, Australia
Mae Mansoubi: Digital Health Innovation and Public Health, INTERSECT, Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Natasha Layton: Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3199, Australia

Societies, 2022, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Rehabilitation technologies are rapidly evolving, presenting promising interventions for people with neurological impairments. Access to technology, however, is greater in metropolitan than rural areas. Applying a capabilities approach to this access issue foregrounds healthcare recipients’ rights and personhood within the discourse on resource allocation. Within this context, this study aimed to investigate the economic viability of robotics-based therapy (RBT) in rural Victoria, Australia. A regional health network developed a model of care to provide equitable access to RBT following stroke. This explorative economic evaluation examined both the clinical and economic impact of RBT program implementation across six program iterations compared to 1:1 out-patient rehabilitation. While clinical outcomes were equivalent, the per patient RBT cost ranged from AUD 2681 (Program 1) to AUD 1957 (Program 6), while the per patient cost of usual care 1:1 out-patient rehabilitation, was AUD 2584. Excluding Program 1, the health service cost of usual care 1:1 out-patient rehabilitation was consistently higher, indicating that an established RBT program may be cost-effective, specifically providing less cost for the same effect. This research demonstrates the economic feasibility of delivering RBT in a regional public health stroke service. More broadly, it provided a reduction in the capability gap between rural and metropolitan stroke survivors by tackling an access disadvantage.

Keywords: stroke; robotics; assistive technology; capabilities approach; economic evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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