Think right from the start - establishment of ME / CFS rehabilitation at a distance in Sweden

Purpose and goal

ME / CFS is a neurological disease characterized by prolonged fatigue with severe disabilities with an estimated 10 000-40 000 affected in Sweden. There is no clinic north of Stockholm. Norrland covers half of Sweden´s area, which is why a digitized highly specialized rehabilitation is a highly topical solution. Therefore, the purpose is to develop and evaluate a digital rehabilitation alternative for the patient group to be able to offer a more accessible, resource-efficient, and equal rehab.

Expected effects and result

An evaluated solution for cohesive digital rehab increases the availability of healthcare for these patients and has the potential to improve rehabilitation and quality of life. A digital solution also gives everyone throughout the country equal access. A positive result of innovation implementation for ME / CFS of digitally cohesive rehabilitation can be a forerunner for implementation in other patient groups in need of intensive rehabilitation programs, such as rheumatologists, Parkinson´s patients, etc.

Planned approach and implementation

A common view and requirements specification are developed and form the basis for the completion of the rehabilitation program and content. Thereafter, a joint consultation review takes place with an admission of 20 patients who undergo a 4-week specialized interdisciplinary rehabilitation program according to a personal rehab plan and a 5-month structured follow-up period. Rehabilitation is reviewed according to a structured evaluation template containing PROMs and PREMs. The process is followed by the region, rehabilitation service provider, patients, and evaluators.