The Covid-19 pandemic prompted people and businesses around the world to rethink long-standing ways of working. For example, organisations that had previously ruled out working from home rapidly adapted their policies to support remote work so business operations could continue. Healthcare services also had to adapt quickly. Telehealth consultations became a practical way for clinicians to continue delivering timely care to people who could not attend appointments in person.
What's interesting is that the concept of telehealth is not new. It’s been around for more than a decade, long before it became more widely adopted. In fact, Amy Vincent, Founder and Occupational Therapist at The Therapy Collective, researched Telehealth with her peers and published findings in a medical journal in 2013.
At the time, technology to support telehealth was still developing, yet the research produced some compelling findings:
- A high level of accuracy and reliability was observed for the telerehabilitation assessments performed in the study, compared with face-to-face assessments
- The ability to record patients performing various tests allowed for performance to be viewed multiple times leading to a more accurate assessment
- Having a carer or family member present with the patient was helpful to aid in communication with the treating clinician
- System factors (in 2013) such as audio and video quality could be improved as technology continued to develop.
You can view the research in full here.
Fast forward to today and technology has caught up. Video-conferencing platforms are now widely accessible, reliable and easy to use. What was once considered an alternative or temporary solution has evolved into a widely accepted and effective way for clinicians to deliver services and support clients remotely.
At The Therapy Collective, we provide VELA, Obi and Vicair Trial Experiences to clients and clinicians across Queensland, with telehealth playing a key role in supporting these trials and ensuring accessibility to our innovative assistive technology, no matter where you are in the state.