Telehealth for the Provision of Occupational Therapy: Reflections on Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

TLDR

The COVID‑19 pandemic forced a rapid shift from in‑person to telehealth care worldwide, often without prior training or preparation. This cross‑sectional study examined occupational therapy practitioners’ use of telehealth during the pandemic and assessed its perceived effectiveness and viability as a permanent service model. An online survey with Likert, multiple‑choice, and open‑ended items captured OTPs’ experiences with telehealth during COVID‑19. Among 230 respondents, 77 % endorsed telehealth as a substitute for in‑person care and 78 % supported its permanent use, indicating continued adoption after emergency orders expire.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, healthcare professionals worldwide abruptly shifted from an in-person to a telehealth service delivery model. Many did so without advanced training or preparation. This cross-sectional study explored how occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether they found it to be an effective service delivery model that should be a permanent option for providing occupational therapy services. An online survey was disseminated; it included Likert scale questions, multiple option questions, and open-ended questions regarding telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 230 respondents, 176 (77%) support telehealth as a substitute for in-person services; 179 (78%) support telehealth as a permanent option for occupational therapy service delivery. This information lends support to the uninterrupted use of telehealth by OTPs when government emergency orders in response to COVID-19 expire.