Outpatient Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Synchronous Telemedicine

TLDR

The COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, including telerehabilitation—therapy delivered by physical, occupational, and speech clinicians—to expand access and reduce contagion. This brief report describes the feasibility and patient satisfaction of telerehabilitation. A survey of 205 participants—mostly women aged 35–64 undergoing 30–44‑minute physical therapy visits for sports, lower‑limb injuries, or pediatric neurology—was administered after telerehabilitation sessions. Participants reported very high satisfaction (93.7–99% excellent/very good) and 86.8% valued future telehealth visits; women rated higher than men, and benefits included travel elimination, inclusion of other advocates, and convenience for pediatric patients, while technology and limited hands‑on aspects were noted as constraints, supporting policy adoption of telerehabilitation.

Abstract

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic transformed health care delivery, including rapid expansion of telehealth. Telerehabilitation, defined as therapy provided by physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology, was rapidly adopted with goals to provide access to care and limit contagion. The purpose of this brief report was to describe the feasibility of and satisfaction with telerehabilitation. A total of 205 participants completed online surveys after a telerehabilitation visit. Most commonly, participants were women (53.7%), 35–64 yrs old, and completed physical therapy (53.7%) for established visits of 30–44 mins in duration for primary impairments in sports, lower limb injuries, and pediatric neurology. Overall, high ratings (“excellent” or “very good” responses) were observed for all patient-centered outcome metrics (range, 93.7%–99%) and value in future telehealth visit (86.8%) across telerehabilitation visits. Women participated more frequently and provided higher ratings than male participants did. Other benefits included eliminating travel time, incorporating other health care advocates, and convenience delivering care in familiar environment to pediatric patients. Technology and elements of hands-on aspects of care were observed limitations. Recognizing reduced indirect costs of care that telerehabilitation may provide along with high patient satisfaction are reasons policy makers should adopt these services into future health care delivery models.