Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023 Jul;18(5):621-626. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2021.1900933. Epub 2021 Mar 16.
Tele-speech therapy refers to the application of telecommunication technologies to provide speech-language pathology services at a distance and establishes communication between a specialist and a patient for assessment, intervention, or consultation. Due to the shortage of speech therapists, the use of tele-speech therapy services can be helpful, especially for those who do not have access to speech-language therapists. The aim of this study was to investigate speech therapists' perspectives about using tele-speech therapy.
This was a qualitative study conducted in 2020. Data were collected through conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 faculty members who worked in three different medical universities. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed by using framework analysis method and MAXQDA version 10.
Having analysed the data, four themes, 10 categories, and 26 subcategories emerged. The main findings included necessary requirements for implementing and using tele-speech therapy in terms of developing academic courses, guidelines, and necessary technical infrastructure, advantages of using tele-speech therapy for specialists and patients, challenges of, and opportunities for, using tele-speech therapy.
Although tele-speech therapy has several benefits for specialists and patients, challenges of using this technology should not be underestimated. There are also a number of research opportunities in this field and their results can be helpful for successful implementation of this technology in the future.Implications for rehabilitationThe clinical assessment and treatment of patients with speech-language disorders are sometimes difficult mainly due to the limited healthcare resources or the patient heath condition.Tele-speech therapy can be regarded as an alternative approach or a complementary method for face-to-face visits, especially for patients who are not able to attend clinics.Despite the advantages, the challenges of providing special groups of patients with tele-speech therapy should be taken into account.Telerehabiliation and rehabilitation research centres can support future research in the field of tele-speech therapy to present more evidence regarding the strengths and weaknesses of this technology.Implications for practiceTechnical and non-technical infrastructures should be taken into account before implementing tele-speech therapy services.Tele-speech therapy has a number of advantages for patients and specialists.Challenges of providing tele-speech therapy services, such as risk of inaccurate evaluation and difficulty in interaction with patients should not be underestimated.There are a number of research opportunities in the field of tele-speech therapy and tele-rehabilitation centres can support further research in this area.The findings of this study can facilitate utilisation of tele-speech therapy in different settings.
远程言语治疗是指利用远程通信技术提供言语病理学服务，并在专家和患者之间建立评估、干预或咨询的沟通。由于言语治疗师的短缺，使用远程言语治疗服务可能会有所帮助，尤其是对于那些无法获得言语治疗师服务的人。本研究旨在调查言语治疗师对使用远程言语治疗的看法。
这是一项于 2020 年进行的定性研究。通过对在三所不同医科大学工作的 12 名教师进行深入的半结构化访谈收集数据。访谈通过数字录音和逐字记录进行。使用框架分析方法和 MAXQDA 版本 10 对数据进行分析。
通过对数据进行分析，得出了四个主题、十个类别和二十六个子类别。主要发现包括在制定学术课程、准则和必要的技术基础设施方面实施和使用远程言语治疗的必要要求、专家和患者使用远程言语治疗的优势、使用远程言语治疗的挑战和机会。
尽管远程言语治疗对专家和患者有许多好处，但不应低估使用这项技术的挑战。该领域也有许多研究机会，其结果可以为未来成功实施这项技术提供帮助。
患者言语和语言障碍的临床评估和治疗有时很困难，主要是由于医疗保健资源有限或患者健康状况不佳。远程言语治疗可以作为面对面就诊的替代方法或补充方法，尤其是对于无法就诊的患者。尽管有优势，但为特殊患者群体提供远程言语治疗的挑战也应该被考虑。远程康复和康复研究中心可以支持远程言语治疗领域的未来研究，提供更多关于该技术优缺点的证据。
在实施远程言语治疗服务之前，应考虑技术和非技术基础设施。远程言语治疗为患者和专家提供了许多优势。提供远程言语治疗服务的挑战，如评估不准确的风险和与患者互动的困难，不应被低估。远程言语治疗领域有许多研究机会，远程康复中心可以支持该领域的进一步研究。本研究的结果可以促进远程言语治疗在不同环境中的应用。
