An Examination of Occupational Therapy Telehealth Service Delivery Among Novice Users During the COVID -19 Pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2023.6544

Keywords:

Client champion, Coaching, Occupational therapy, Telehealth

Abstract

The COVID -19 pandemic allowed for widespread implementation of telehealth as a delivery method for occupational therapy (OT) services. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of novice telehealth OT practitioners regarding telehealth as a delivery method for OT services. Quantitative data was collected through a modified version of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire and analyzed via descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was collected by open-ended questions and analyzed via thematic analysis. OT practitioners’ responses revealed four major themes: logistics of telehealth practice, role of client champions, capacity of the OT practitioner, and styles and approaches. The study revealed that OT sessions delivered via telehealth increased access to clients and continuity of services. Client champion engagement, effective coaching strategies, and practitioner flexibility supported the success of OT telehealth sessions.

  

Author Biographies

Lori E. Breeden, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Lori Breeden is an Assistant Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at the University of Indianapolis.  She teaches Neuroscience in Occupational Therapy, OT Process II & III which focus on intervention, and an elective on Telehealth. Professional interests include rehab seating and positioning, spasticity management and recovery of hemiplegic upper extremities.

Lori's research interests include client education, stroke recovery, OT delivery via telehealth, the contribution of photovoice and photoethnographic research to the understanding of participation in meaningful occupation with a chronic illness or disability.

She received her EdD in Adult, Higher & Community Education from Ball State University, her MS in Occupational Therapy, and BS in Psychology from the University of Indianapolis.

Hannah T. Tyger, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Hannah Tyger is a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program at the University of Indianapolis.

Alexandra M. Reckers, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Alexandra Reckers is a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program at the University of Indianapolis.

Megan Johnson, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Megan Johnson is a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program at the University of Indianapolis

Analicia M. Morales, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Analicia Morales is a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program at the University of Indianapolis.

Lauren Ober, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Lauren Ober is a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program at the University of Indianapoils

Mackenzie A. Williams, University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Mackenzie Williams is a student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program at the University of Indianapolis

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2022). Advocacy issues: Expanding telehealth. AOTA. https://www.aota.org/advocacy/issues/telehealth-advocacy.

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2022, May). Capital report: Congress takes first step to expand telehealth after public health emergency. AOTA. https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2022/capital-report-telehealth.

Andrews, D., Nonnecke, B., Preece, J. (2005). Conducting research on the internet: Online design, development and implementation guidelines. Athabasca University. https://auspace.athabascau.ca/handle/2149/1336.

Bierman, R.T., Kwong, M.W., & Calouro, C. (2008). State occupational and physical therapy telehealth laws and regulations: A 50-State survey. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 10(2), 3-53. https://www.cchpca.org/2021/04/50-state-scan-of-occupational-therapy-and-physical-therapy-policies-FALL-2018.pdf.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Cason, J. (2015). Telehealth and occupational therapy: Integral to the Triple Aim of Health Care Reform. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.692003

Gately, M. E., Waller, D., Metcalf, E. E., & Moo, L. R. (2022). Occupational therapy practitioner perspectives of the role of caregivers in video telehealth. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(10), 15–20. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20220908-02

Hall, J. B., Woods, M. L., Luechtefeld, J. T. (2021). Pediatric physical therapy telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, facilitators, and barriers influencing effectiveness—a survey study. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 33(3), 112-118. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000800

Hines, M., Bulkeley, K., Dudley, S., Cameron, S., & Lincoln, M. (2019). Delivering quality allied health services to children with complex disability via telepractice: Lessons learned from four case studies. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 31(5), 593-609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-019-09662-8

Hoel, V., von Zweck, C., & Ledgerd, R. (2021). Was a global pandemic needed to adopt the use of telehealth in occupational therapy? Work, 68(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-205268

Little, L. M., Pope, E., Wallisch, A., & Dunn, W. (2018). Occupation-based coaching by means of telehealth for families of young children with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy March/April, 72(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.024786

Parmanto, B., Lewis, Jr., A. N., Graham, K. M., & Bertolet, M. H. (2016). Development of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 8(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2016.6196

Renda, M, & Lape, J.E. (2018). Feasibility and effectiveness of telehealth occupational therapy home modification interventions. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 10(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2018.6244

Shulver, W., Killington, M., Crotty, M. (2016). ‘Massive potential’ or ‘safety risk’? Health worker views on telehealth in the care of older people and implications for successful normalization. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 16(1), 131. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-016-0373-5

Tenforde, A. S., Borgstrom, H., Polich, G., Steere, H., Davis, I. S., Cotton, K., O'Donnell, M., & Silver, J. K. (2020). Outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy synchronous telemedicine: A survey study of patient satisfaction with virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 99(11), 977–98. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001571

Wade, V.A., Eliott, J.A., & Hiller, J. E. (2014). Clinician acceptance is the key factor for sustainable telehealth services. Qualitative Health Research, 24(5), 682-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314528809

Downloads

Published

2023-05-11

How to Cite

Breeden, L. E., Tyger, H., Reckers, A. M., Johnson, M., Morales, A. M., Ober, L., & Williams, M. A. (2023). An Examination of Occupational Therapy Telehealth Service Delivery Among Novice Users During the COVID -19 Pandemic. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2023.6544

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Clinical Practice - COVID 19

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Lori E. Breeden, Hannah T. Tyger, Alexandra M. Reckers, Megan Johnson, Analicia M. Morales, Lauren Ober, Mackenzie A. Williams

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.