The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed how we deliver healthcare services, including speech and language therapy. A recent study titled "Feasibility, Acceptability and Limitations of Speech and Language Telerehabilitation during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Research Study on Clinicians Perspectives" provides valuable insights that can help practitioners improve their skills and adapt to the evolving landscape of telerehabilitation (TR).
Key Findings
The study, conducted with 136 Italian speech and language therapists (SLTs), revealed several critical points:
- Familiarity with TR: SLTs who had prior experience with TR rated it more favorably.
- Feasibility and Importance: The importance of TR was rated higher during the lockdown, but issues like internet connectivity and lack of physical interaction were significant barriers.
- Alternative Form: SLTs considered TR a viable alternative to face-to-face therapy, especially when physical contact was restricted.
- Comparison with Face-to-Face Therapy: Despite its advantages, TR was often seen as less effective compared to traditional methods, primarily due to the lack of non-verbal communication and relational aspects.
Practical Implications
For practitioners looking to improve their skills and make data-driven decisions, here are some actionable steps based on the study's findings:
- Increase Familiarity: Invest time in training and familiarizing yourself with TR technologies. The study showed that familiarity significantly impacts the perceived feasibility and effectiveness of TR.
- Address Technical Issues: Ensure that both you and your patients have reliable internet connections and are comfortable using the necessary technology.
- Blend Modalities: Consider using a hybrid approach that combines TR with face-to-face sessions to mitigate the lack of physical interaction.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly collect feedback from your patients to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides a comprehensive overview, it also highlights the need for further research to develop new TR devices and systems that are user-friendly, cost-effective, and adaptable to various clinical settings. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in ongoing research and contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting TR.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Feasibility, Acceptability and Limitations of Speech and Language Telerehabilitation during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Research Study on Clinicians Perspectives.
