Telehealth: where technology meets healthcare
Telehealth (sometimes referred to as telerehabilitation) is not new, but has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight as clinics across the country and around the world have been forced to suspend in-person visits and move to an online platform. There is very good evidence to support the efficacy of telehealth visits, with some studies showing patients actually had better outcomes than with more ‘traditional’ forms of physiotherapy treatment. So what exactly is telehealth and how can you benefit from it?
A telehealth physiotherapy session is a session done online via a secure, video conferencing platform, similar to FaceTime, Skype etc. During this session you will be able to interact one-on-one with your therapist just as you would during an in-person visit. These types of visits are great not just during times of physical distancing, but also for anyone who has difficulty accessing a clinic on a regular basis. This may be due to your busy schedule, where you live, having small kids at home or a variety of other reasons.
As part of your telehealth session you can expect your therapist to:
perform a comprehensive assessment including taking a detailed history of your current condition, past medical history and functional goals
perform a detailed movement analysis using video conferencing software. Your therapist will ask you to perform a series of movements to evaluate your range of motion, movement restrictions, quality of your movement, and strength - among other things
provide education about your condition and management strategies
teach self mobilization and self treatment techniques
prescribe an individualized exercise program
You don’t need fancy equipment or access to a home gym to benefit from telehealth. All you need is a phone, tablet or computer with camera and microphone capability, and a strong internet connection. You will also need a space large enough to do some basic movements (ie squat, lunge, bend forward etc). If you have any home exercise equipment like resistance bands, small weights, a foam roller, or stability ball those can also be helpful but are definitely not required. Your therapist will work with what you have available.
Although most conditions are well served via telehealth, not all conditions are appropriate for this service. If you have any questions or concerns about whether you are a suitable candidate, it’s best to contact your provider in advance and they will be able to let you know.
I hope this has given you a bit of insight into what a telehealth session could possibly look like. If you have additional questions about telehealth, please check out the Telehealth FAQ page, or contact us and we would be happy to answer them for you!