Telehealth Technology Research Articles

Older adults can use technology: why healthcare professionals must overcome ageism in digital health.

Older adults rapidly adopted technology for healthcare, known as digital health, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults are increasingly using telehealth, smartphone apps, and other digital health technologies to reduce barriers to care, maintain patient-provider communication, and promote disease self-management. Yet, many healthcare professionals have maintained outdated beliefs rooted in societal ageism that digital health and older adults are incompatible. As a result, older adults have been disproportionally excluded from health services and clinical trials that use digital health relative to their younger counterparts. In this commentary, we urge all healthcare disciplines to challenge ageist beliefs and practices that have contributed to the “digital health divide” among older patients. We provide examples of evidence-based strategies and current scientific initiatives that can promote digital health inclusion in research, clinical practice, and training. By achieving digital health inclusion, we can increase access, provide preventative and comprehensive care, and decrease healthcare costs for older patients.

Examining Healthcare Professionals' Telehealth Usability before and during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

COVID-19 has placed substantial stress on healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia as they struggle to avoid contracting the virus, provide continued care for their patients, and protect their own families at home from possible exposure. The demand for care has increased due to the need to treat COVID-19. This pandemic has created a surge in the need for care in select healthcare delivery specialties, forcing other nonurgent or elective care to halt or transition to telehealth. This study provides a timely description of how COVID-19 affected employment, telehealth usage, and interprofessional collaboration. The STROBE checklist was used. We developed a cross-sectional online survey design that is rooted and grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The TAM model allows us to identify characteristics that affect the use of telehealth technologies. The survey was deployed in November 2021 to local healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia. There were 66 individuals in the final sample. Both interprofessional satisfaction on frequency and quality were positively correlated with the frequency of interactions. The odds for satisfaction of frequency and quality were about 12 times (OR = 12.27) and 8 times 110 (OR = 8.24) more, respectively, for the participants with more than three times of interaction than the participants with no interaction at all. We also found that change in telehealth usage during the pandemic was positively associated with the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) scores. The estimated score for the participants who reported an increase in telehealth usage was 5.37, while the scores were lower for the participants reporting ‘no change’ and ‘decreased usage’. Additional training on telehealth use and integration to improve interprofessionalism is needed.

Privacy and Security of Telehealth Services

Telehealth technologies have aided in the distribution of health-related services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With increased telehealth use, privacy risks and security concerns among healthcare providers and patients have subsequently increased. In previous research where 205 research papers were reviewed related to healthcare privacy and security, the results reveal a significant lack of research on telehealth security and privacy. In this panel, we aim to discuss this critical gap by studying how current healthcare process designs and provider workflows associated with the use of telehealth technologies impact the security and privacy of patients' protected health information. The panel will engage in in-depth discussions about value-sensitive design while focusing on potentially critical data, such as healthcare data which is not typically emphasized in general security and privacy concerns. To address this, the panel consists of experts from the diverse field including privacy and security, user interaction, and healthcare.

Physician response to COVID-19-driven telehealth flexibility for opioid use disorder.

To learn how preferences and practices regarding telehealth have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic for physicians who provide opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Publicly registered physicians who provide OUD treatment were surveyed on their current and retrospective use of telehealth and how their perception of telehealth effectiveness and policy preferences have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic as telehealth regulations were loosened throughout the country. The primary survey data were collected in July 2020 leveraging administrative contact information for the population of publicly listed buprenorphine-prescribing physicians in the United States. A total of 1141 physicians received the survey and consented to participate. Many surveyed physicians used telehealth for the first time during the early COVID-19 era (29% pre-COVID-19 use rate increased to 66%). Most respondents found telehealth to be more effective than expected (54% vs 16% who found it less effective), 85% were in favor of the temporary telehealth flexibility being permanently extended, and 77% would be likely to use telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic, regulations permitting. Imputation exercises that leverage the linked survey and administrative data suggest that the findings are unlikely to be driven by nonrandom survey participation. Physicians were asked about their OUD telehealth policy preferences. Findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic increased physician respondent use of telehealth technology, and this has positively shifted their perceptions of effectiveness. Respondents overwhelmingly report interest in post-COVID-19 pandemic telehealth use and support for proposed legislation to loosen telehealth restrictions.

Increasing Access to Diabetes Education in Rural Alabama Through Telehealth.

The high prevalence of diabetes in Alabama and the limited diabetes education available to patients in that state suggest that new interventions are needed. To that end, the authors developed a project to assess whether the use of telehealth technology to deliver diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) in a small group setting is an effective and acceptable way to increase access to such education by underserved individuals. Certified diabetes educators, RNs, and telehealth services at three rural county health departments in Alabama implemented a DSMES program. Data were collected from participant registration forms, pre- and postintervention surveys, and telehealth surveys to assess participants' baseline and postintervention diabetes knowledge, self-care, and sense of self-efficacy. Blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and weight were also measured before and after the intervention. Forty-two people attended the DSMES program and participated in its evaluation. The findings demonstrated that for this sample, telehealth was an effective and acceptable way to conduct DSMES. The substantial improvements in health status, coupled with the fact that most participants had never participated in a DSMES program before, highlight the untapped potential of such programs to increase access to diabetes education in underserved areas.

Telehealth Frontiers: Social Telerobots in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Background COVID-19 has severely impacted health in vulnerable demographics. As communities transition back to in-person work, learning, and social activities, pediatric patients who are restricted to their homes due to medical conditions face unprecedented isolation. Prior to the pandemic, it was estimated that each year, over 2.5 million US children remained at home due to medical conditions. Confronting gaps in health and technical resources is central to addressing the challenges faced by children who remain at home. Having children use mobile telemedicine units (telerobots) to interact with their outside environment (eg, school and play, etc) is increasingly recognized for its potential to support children’s development. Additionally, social telerobots are emerging as a novel form of telehealth. A social telerobot is a tele-operated unit with a mobile base, 2-way audio/video capabilities, and some semiautonomous features. Objective In this paper, we aimed to provide a critical review of studies focused on the use of social telerobots for pediatric populations. Methods To examine the evidence on telerobots as a telehealth intervention, we conducted electronic and full-text searches of private and public databases in June 2010. We included studies with the pediatric personal use of interactive telehealth technologies and telerobot studies that explored effects on child development. We excluded telehealth and telerobot studies with adult (aged >18 years) participants. Results In addition to telehealth and telerobot advantages, evidence from the literature suggests 3 promising robot-mediated supports that contribute to optimal child development—belonging, competence, and autonomy. These robot-mediated supports may be leveraged for improved pediatric patient socioemotional development, well-being, and quality-of-life activities that transfer traditional developmental and behavioral experiences from organic local environments to the remote child. Conclusions This review contributes to the creation of the first pediatric telehealth taxonomy of care that includes the personal use of telehealth technologies as a compelling form of telehealth care.

Cultural and Telehealth Considerations for Trauma‐Focused Treatment Among Latinx Youth: Case Reports and Clinical Recommendations to Enhance Treatment Engagement

Given that trauma exposure among youth, particularly those from communities of color, is high, there is a dire need to improve trauma-focused treatment for young people of color. Growing research has documented that integrating cultural and telehealth considerations into trauma-focused treatment can enhance treatment engagement and lead to positive treatment outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how to incorporate cultural and telehealth considerations concurrently to enhance treatment engagement for Latinx youth and their caregivers. Specifically, we describe the process of delivering Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to three trauma-exposed Latinx youths through the use of telehealth technology. Clinical recommendations are discussed to improve treatment engagement of Latinx youth and other young people of color.

Overcoming Clinician Technophobia: What We Learned from Our Mass Exposure to Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mental health clinicians have migrated to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and have reported their use of telehealth may be permanent. Understanding how stakeholders overcame hesitancy regarding the use of telehealth can potentially reveal how stakeholders can adopt future clinical technologies. The exposure therapy conceptual framework provides one explanation of how mental health clinicians can face their concerns about technologies that promise to improve clinical outcomes and worker well-being. We review available literature published since the start of the pandemic on the extent to which clinicians migrated to telehealth and their reactions to their transitions. In particular, we review available literature that describes negative attitudes and worries by clinicians as one of many barriers of telehealth implementation. We introduce the perspective that the necessary transition to telehealth at the start of the pandemic functioned as an exposure exercise that changed many clinicians’ cognitive and emotional reactions to the use of telehealth technologies. Next, we provide guidance on how clinicians can continue taking an exposure approach to learning emerging technologies that are safe and can benefit all stakeholders. Clinicians can now reflect on how they overcame hesitancy regarding telehealth during the pandemic and identify how to build on that new learning by applying strategies used in exposure therapy. The future of clinical work will increasingly require mental health clinicians to better serve their patient populations and enhance their own well-being by overcoming technophobia, a broad term for any level of hesitancy, reluctance, skepticism, worry, anxiety, or fear of implementing technology.

Telesimulation to Improve Critical Decision-Making in Prehospital Airway Management: A Feasibility Study.

Telesimulation, in which learners and evaluators use technology to connect remotely to simulation-based learning activities, is effective for skills and decision-making review. Historical models in which learners are colocated with the simulation equipment have inherent issues, especially for emergency medical services (EMS) providers. This feasibility study placed the evaluators in the simulation center, whereas the learners were at a distance steering the scenario evolution through telehealth technologies. Volunteer EMS providers across South Carolina with varying levels of training and experience completed difficult airway management scenarios focused on clinical decision making. The program consisted of pre- and postexperience examinations, a lecture, and increasingly complicated simulations using high-fidelity mannequins that were facilitated by local trainers under the direction of remote trainees. Audio and video content, including vital signs and cardiac monitoring, were live streamed. Participants worked in two-person teams with lead providers on each scenario clinically assessing and managing cases of anaphylaxis. Data were collected from the simulations using Laerdal software, as well as examination and survey results. A total of 24 participants completed all of the elements of the training. Trends toward improvement in times to bag-mask ventilation and initial epinephrine administration were noted. Average cognitive test scores increased by 9.6%, and learners reported improved comfort with simulation (75%, P ≥ 0.0001) and videoconferencing (83%, P ≥ 0.0001). They also reported high degrees of comfort with intubation (73.3%) following the training. This method of telesimulation appears to be a viable addition to continuing EMS education and may address access issues for some providers.

Integrating CFIR-ERIC and e-Delphi Methods to Increase Telegeriatrics Uptake.

Participatory implementation methods are needed in geriatric health care to improve care and services for a growing population of older adults. We describe an efficient participatory approach to improve uptake of Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Connect, a national geriatrics outpatient consultation service using telehealth technology to connect geriatric specialists to rural, older veterans though community-based clinics. We designed a three-phase participatory method to identify high-priority implementation strategies to support the uptake of GRECC Connect. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research-Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (CFIR-ERIC) Strategy Matching Tool to derive expert-recommended implementation strategies informed by qualitative interviews with both GRECC Connect staff and clinicians at community-based clinics. We engaged expert panelists in a participatory two-step modified e-Delphi process using confidential surveys and discussion to prioritize strategies nationally. Qualitative interviews revealed barriers, facilitators, and recommendations for program uptake. Many strategies recommended by CFIR-ERIC addressed multiple barriers but needed to be tailored to our specific context. In our two-step e-Delphi process, expert panelists shared previous experience with the strategies presented, views on the importance and feasibility of each, and arrived at a consensus about which strategies to prioritize nationally. We demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of engaging subject matter experts to identify strategies to be tested on a national level. Future considerations include weighting of survey responses, accounting for regional differences, and sensitivity of Likert scales used in the e-Delphi process.

An evaluation of a rapid conversion to teleSANE in response to COVID-19.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) provide expert, comprehensive medical forensic care to patients who present for services following a sexual assault. Because SANEs are not consistently available, telehealth technology is being explored as a means to provide access to this expert care (i.e., teleSANE). During the COVID‐19 pandemic, teleSANE offered additional potential benefits by reducing the length of time spent and number of providers in patient exam rooms, the need for personal protective equipment that was in high demand and short supply, and provider anxiety related to providing in‐person care. In the summer of 2020, the Massachusetts SANE program rapidly and temporarily converted five hospitals from in‐person SANE care to teleSANE. An evaluation team interviewed 23 providers using a rapid research and evaluation methods approach to assess the temporary model and inform the future of SANE care. Evaluation findings reveal it is possible to rapidly and temporarily convert hospitals from in‐person to teleSANE care in a time of broad uncertainty, and that such a change requires intensive and thoughtful planning; a shared commitment to being supportive, flexible, and responsive; and specific experience and expertise. Considerations for communities exploring how best to ensure consistent, equitable access to SANEs are discussed.

Surgeon preferences are associated with utilization of telehealth in fracture care.

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has the potential to evoke lasting changes in the delivery of care, and the utilization of telehealth. We sought associations between surgeon personal factors and greater use of telehealth to treat fractures relative to in-person care.MethodsSeventy-five fracture surgeons participated in a survey-based experiment. All surgeons were asked about their preferences regarding remote compared to in-person communication. Participants rated the following items on slider scales: their degree of introversion, the importance of a hands-on/physical exam and surgeon preferences regarding telehealth. We identified factors associated with the use of, and comfort with, telehealth.ResultsThe use of telehealth during the pandemic was associated with comfort evaluating wounds via telehealth. A greater proportion of remote visits was associated with comfort evaluating wounds and confidence teaching exercises via telehealth. There was consensus that telehealth did not alter utilization rates of radiographs or offer of discretionary surgery. The use of absorbable sutures to limit in-person visits was associated with a preference for working from home and greater comfort with evaluating wounds remotely. The use of 2- and 6-week post-operative telehealth visits and plans to use telehealth after the pandemic (52%) were associated with greater comfort in evaluating wounds through telehealth and greater confidence with video instruction of exercises.ConclusionsThe finding that personal factors are associated with utilization of telehealth helps target strategies for increased use of telehealth and other technologies as the pandemic wanes. Given that telehealth adds convenience for people with ambulatory difficulties or in remote areas, such efforts are warranted.Level of EvidenceNot applicable.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00068-022-02065-z.

Contraceptive care service provision via telehealth early in the COVID-19 pandemic at rural and urban federally qualified health centers in 2 southeastern states.

PurposeTo investigate telehealth use for contraceptive service provision among rural and urban federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Alabama (AL) and South Carolina (SC) during the initial months of the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsThis is a mixed‐methods study using data from the FQHC Contraceptive Care Survey and key informant interviews with FQHC staff in AL and SC conducted in 2020. Differences between rural and urban clinics in telehealth use for contraceptive service provision were assessed with a chi‐square test of independence. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify facilitators and barriers to telehealth.FindingsTelehealth for contraceptive care increased during the early months of the pandemic relative to prepandemic. Fewer rural clinics than urban clinics provided telehealth for contraceptive counseling (16.3% vs 50.6%) (P = .0002), emergency contraception (0.0% vs 16.1%) (P = .004), and sexually transmitted infection care (16.3% vs 34.6%) (P = .031). Key facilitators of telehealth were reimbursement policy, electronic infrastructure and technology, and funding for technology. Barriers included challenges with funding for telehealth, limited electronic infrastructure, and reduced staffing capacity.ConclusionsDifferences in telehealth service provision for contraceptive care between rural and urban FQHCs highlight the need for supportive strategies to increase access to care for low‐income rural populations, particularly in AL and SC. It is essential for public and private entities to support the implementation and continuation of telehealth among rural clinics, particularly, investing in widespread and clinic‐level electronic infrastructure and technology for telehealth, such as broadband and electronic health record systems compatible with telehealth technology.

An update on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic public awareness on cancer patients' COVID-19 vaccine compliance: Outcomes and recommendations

Background:Aside from the pandemic's negative health effects, the world was confronted with public confusion since proper communication and favorable decisions became an ongoing challenge. As a result, the public's perceptions were influenced by what they knew, the many sources of COVID-19 information, and how they interpreted it. With cancer patients continuing to oppose COVID-19 vaccines, we sought to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine sources of this information in adult cancer patients, which either helped or prevented them from taking the vaccine. We also assessed the relevance and impact of their oncologists' recommendations in encouraging them to take the vaccine.MethodsFrom June to October 2021, an online survey was conducted at King Hussein Cancer Center. A total of 441 adult cancer patients took part in the study. Patients who had granted their consent were requested to complete an online questionnaire, which was collected using the SurveyMonkey questionnaire online platform. Descriptive analysis was done for all variables. The association between categorical and continuous variables was assessed using the Pearson Chi-square and Fisher Exact.ResultsOur results showed that 75% of the patients registered for the COVID-19 vaccine, while 12% refused vaccination. The majority of participants acquired their information from news and television shows, whereas (138/441) got their information through World Health Organization websites. Because the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were made in such a short period, 54.7 % assumed the vaccines were unsafe. Only 49% of the patients said their oncologists had informed them about the benefits of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.ConclusionsWe found that SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy in cancer patients might be related to misinformation obtained from social media despite the availability of supportive scientific information on the vaccine's benefits from the physicians. To combat misleading and unreliable social media news, we recommend that physicians use telehealth technology to reach out to their patients in addition to their face-to-face consultation, which delivers comprehensive, clear, and high-quality digital services that guide and help patients to better understand the advantages of COVID-19 vaccines.

A survey on connected healthcare beyond COVID in India: clinical perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the advent of novel medical devices and practices. Demand for quality healthcare services rose exponentially which eventually led to accessibility becoming a major issue of concern. In addition to this, in-person consultations and various other conventional treatment methods were proven to be problematic. Limitations of traditional health care systems such as in-person consultations were highlighted, and conventional treatment methods have proven to be problematic. As an alternative approach, telehealth services are now gaining recognition due to their high efficiency, ease of use, and state-of-the-art technology. In this article, trends of telemedicine and its evolving popularity across the medical community due to the pandemic and beyond are studied and highlighted. An online survey form was circulated to 42 medical practitioners and interns to analyse the growing interest in telemedicine. The questionnaire covered the physicians' perspectives, preferences, experiences, and other important aspects of home-based teleconsultation. Based on the responses collected from doctors and medical interns, 14.2% disapproved, whereas 38.1% favoured and 47.6% showed a neutral response to the teleconsultation. More than 50% of the respondents claim the process to be time-consuming and 42% of them perceived it to be the other way round. 4.8% of the doctors preferred it to be only through computers whereas 45.2% per cent preferred consultation through smartphones and 50% of them preferred it be both ways. More than half (59.5%) of the doctors preferred the pandemic scenario and the remaining for its continued usage post-pandemic. Although India has the world’s second-largest online market, a major population in India is digitally illiterate according to the Digital Foundation of India. Thus, it is important to devise telehealth technology that is simplest to use to reach also the economically backward patient communities.

Identifying Feasible and Impactful Approaches to Implementing Telehealth in Rural Washington Communities: Group Concept Mapping Study

Background The expansion of telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic increased access to health care services for many US residents. This is particularly true for provider-to-patient telehealth communication. In rural communities, telehealth can increase access to health care services that would otherwise be limited due to geographic and distance barriers. The adoption of telehealth in rural communities, however, has been hindered by technology barriers, lack of community awareness, and lack of provider buy-in. The purpose of this study was to explore community-identified approaches to improving telehealth access in rural North Central Washington. Objective The aim of this study was to identify, group, and rate approaches to expanding and integrating telehealth in rural communities in North Central Washington. Methods We used group concept mapping, a participant-engaged, mixed method approach, to explore participant perspectives and preferences. Purposively sampled participants were community leaders and stakeholders in rural North Central Washington. Participants brainstormed strategies for implementing and expanding community telehealth access in their community and sorted them into conceptually similar groups. Strategies were then rated by participants in terms of potential impact, feasibility, and the cost of implementation. Quantitative analyses included multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to produce a cluster map and pattern match graph for interpreting the community members’ ideas and preferences. Results Participant brainstorming yielded 70 strategies for implementing telehealth in rural North Central Washington. Strategies were individually sorted into groups (point map stress value 0.21), producing a 6-cluster solution. The clusters were “Community infrastructure,” “Ensuring access to telehealth technology,” “Technology infrastructure for telehealth,” “Training/awareness of telehealth,” “State- and policy-level considerations,” and “Health care systems engagement and delivery.” Participants rated “Training/awareness of telehealth” and “Health care systems engagement and delivery” to be highly impactful and feasible approaches. The “Training/awareness of telehealth” cluster included strategies such as educating community members that telehealth is an easy, reliable, convenient, and private way to access health care and providing community training on how to access health care remotely. The latter cluster, “Health care systems engagement and delivery,” included approaches that were ranked as highly feasible and impactful, such as engaging with clinics and providers on overcoming barriers to implementing telehealth services or ensuring that local health clinic staff is on board with telehealth as an alternative platform to provide services. Conclusions Strategies identified and rated by participants incorporate the importance of community engagement in telehealth implementation, including educating community members about telehealth and engaging with community health clinics to facilitate use by providers. Community partners in North Central Washington will use these findings, along with additional community survey data, broadband speed test data, and provider input, to increase access to telehealth in their rural and remote communities. Conflicts of Interest None declared.

Blood pressure management through application-based telehealth platforms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hypertension management has several challenges, including poor compliance with medications and patients being lost to follow-up. Recently, remote patient monitoring and telehealth technologies have emerged as promising methods of blood pressure management. We aimed to investigate the role of application-based telehealth programs in optimizing blood pressure management. Searches were performed in December 2020 using three databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase and Ovid MEDLINE. All randomized controlled trials that included remote blood pressure management programmes were eligible for inclusion. Studies were included if blood pressure data were available for both the intervention and control groups. Following PRISMA guidelines, data were independently collected by two reviewers. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The primary study outcomes were mean SBP and DBP changes for the intervention and control groups. Eight hundred and seventy-nine distinct articles were identified and 18 satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall, a mean weighted decrease of 7.07 points (SBP) and 5.07 points (DBP) was found for the intervention group, compared with 3.11 point (SBP) and 3.13 point (DBP) decreases in the control group. Forest plots were constructed and effect sizes were also calculated. Mean change effect sizes of 1.1 (SBP) and 0.98 (DBP) were found, representing 86 and 85% of the intervention group having greater SBP or DBP changes, respectively, when compared with the control group. Remote patient monitoring technologies may represent a promising avenue for hypertension management. Future research is needed to evaluate the benefits in different disease-based patient subgroups.

Knowledge, Perception, and Barriers to Telehealth Practice among Physical Therapy Practitioners of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: Physical therapists in Riyadh have traditionally used conventional methods to diagnose and treat patients; however, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to the need to implement telehealth services. The aim of the study was to investigate physical therapy practitioners’ knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to telehealth and the effects of the pandemic on physical therapy telehealth practice. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which included five main sections, namely demographic characteristics, knowledge about telehealth technology, perception towards telehealth practice, COVID-19 impact on telehealth, and possible barriers to telehealth practice. The respondents completed the questionnaire on their own to ensure that their privacy was not breached and that confidentiality was maintained. Results: A total of 214 participants responded to the survey. A majority reported low or very low to questions under knowledge about telehealth practice. Many agreed or strongly agreed to the questions under perception towards telehealth practice. Similarly, a majority also agreed or strongly agreed that there was an impact of the pandemic on telehealth practice among physical therapists. Most participants were also in agreement with the questions regarding barriers to telehealth among physical therapists. Conclusion: A majority of physical therapists had little knowledge and experience with telehealth technology, though some training and administrative support are warranted to ensure that they become highly competitive in executing such a program.

Wearable Sensing and Tele health Technology with Potential Applications in the Corona Virus Pandemic

Abstract: COVID19 has been a serious talk of town since its emergence as one of its impacts is also death. A virulent disease like COVID-19 results in unusual demands in various health care sectors, extraordinarily decreases the population, also it raises fear in the common public. whereas tremendous efforts at the top-notch area unit placed on police work, other health care works of doctors and nurses, it's conjointly extremely vital to look at the systems and technologies for braving malady exposure, stunning its unfold and particularly the strategy for diseases interference

Telehealth Technology Competency and Difficulties in the Therapeutic Process

Background Telehealth therapy services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and have the potential to shape service provision in the future. The growing body of research on telehealth services provides evidence of the efficacy of such services and the possibility for greater accessibility of counseling services for hard-to-reach clients. However, less is known regarding 2 unique processes of engaging in telehealth services, which are telehealth difficulties and perceived therapist telehealth competency. Objective This study examines the factor structure of the following 2 new measures: the Telehealth Difficulties Scale and the Therapist Telehealth Competency Scale. Methods Exploratory factor analyses were used with 223 participants who used telehealth services. Following this validation, these measures were tested with their association with the therapeutic alliance and therapy productiveness among clients of telehealth services using linear regressions. Results The study found that both measures had a one-factor structure and predicted therapeutic alliance scores. In addition, telehealth competency predicted therapy productiveness. Conclusions The implications for these results are discussed, and future directions are given. Conflict of Interest None declared.