The International Journal of Telerehabilitation is the first peer-reviewed journal to be housed by HPU.
HPU has become the new home of the International Journal of Telerehabilitation (IJT), marking the first peer-reviewed journal to be hosted by the University in its 60-year history. The biannual, open-access journal has been a leading publication in the field of telerehabilitation since its inception in 2008 and is well-respected for advancing research in rehabilitation professions, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and audiology.
Founded with grant support and previously housed at the University of Pittsburgh’s library system, IJT has long been a vital resource for global research on telerehabilitation. The journal, co-edited by its founding editor Ellen R. Cohn, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA-F, and HPU Professor of Occupational Therapy Jana Cason, DHSc., OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA, has consistently featured contributions from researchers across the world. Cason’s involvement with the journal dates back to 2009, when she published her first article as part of her doctoral studies. She later served as a guest editor and has held various editorial roles ever since.
IJT is indexed in PubMed, further underscoring its reputation as a highly credible and widely recognized source of peer-reviewed research. Its commitment to open access ensures that groundbreaking studies are freely available to practitioners, students, and the public, without the paywalls that often restrict access to scholarly work.
Bringing IJT to HPU aligns with the University’s mission to promote the free exchange of knowledge. HPU Director of the Library and Learning Commons Sabrina Thomas, Ed.D., helped to play a key role in securing the journal’s new home at HPU.
“We value open access,” said Thomas. “Anyone with internet access can read highly credible medical research on IJT without barriers. The internet is flooded with misinformation, and as someone who has taught information literacy for nearly 20 years, I’ve seen the impact of bad medical information on people’s lives. Having a journal like this at HPU is significant.”
Open-access publishing is increasingly vital in academia, as the cost of subscription-based databases continues to rise annually—sometimes by as much as 20%.
“Much of the most credible research is locked behind expensive paywalls,” Thomas explained. “It’s not sustainable. IJT ensures that information remains free and accessible to everyone.”
Unlike many open-access journals that charge publication fees, IJT does not impose any costs on authors, making it a unique and valuable platform for researchers worldwide.
“This journal is a feather in the cap for HPU,” Thomas said. “It’s an honor for the University to house a peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed journal that truly embodies the democratization of knowledge.”
With its interdisciplinary reach, IJT will serve as an invaluable resource for HPU students and faculty across multiple disciplines. HPU also sees this as a steppingstone toward hosting additional academic journals in the future, further expanding its commitment to open-access scholarship.
The first issue published under HPU’s stewardship is set for release in early-June. Researchers, students, and the public can access the journal’s complete archives and latest publications directly, without the need for a subscription or login.
For more information, visit the International Journal of Telerehabilitation by clicking here.
