Commentary on "Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, Facilitators, and Barriers Influencing Effectiveness-a Survey Study".

Abstract

“How could I apply this information?” The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly affected access to many health care services including pediatric physical therapy. This survey study was used to identify the effectiveness of a telehealth model of pediatric therapy via therapist experiences following a quick transition from in-person to web-based/telehealth. Responses collected supported the need for telehealth in a pediatric physical therapy setting with a combination of in-person and telehealth being most successful, over traditional in-person services alone. Using a technology platform for real-time therapy interaction was not only an effective strategy to decrease contact/transmission during this specific public health emergency, it was especially helpful with facilitating a partnership with parents via coaching and training, which allowed for increased involvement, session engagement, and follow-through. Access to telehealth services also allowed for a more collaborative family-focused model of care, which was perceived to help with problem-solving and parent empowerment. When establishing therapy treatment plans, a hybrid service delivery model may be an excellent alternative to in-person therapy alone for families whose client-related factors (diagnosis, age, and caregiver involvement) would allow for success via a virtual platform. Telehealth may also help close a gap in service delivery when disruption of care may be unprecedented. “What should I be mindful about when applying this information?” The survey on which this study was built was available online to respondents from May 20, 2020, to June 30, 2020. This was approximately the time the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States. A third, and much larger, wave would commit many clinicians to several more months of telehealth as a primary or adjunct mode for service delivery out of necessity. Valuable information could be gleaned from a repeat survey later to find out how clinicians experience telehealth in the long term. As COVID-19 restrictions have begun to lift, which families/therapists have continued to opt for telehealth and what factors have informed those decisions? What does telehealth look like outside of the COVID-19 lens? Elissa Rynearson, PT, DPT, PCS, ATP Julia Jarrin, PT, MPT, PCS, ATP, SMS County of Orange Health Care Agency, Medical Health Services, California Children's Services, Orange County, California