Centre for Language and Communication Science Research, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK.
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2024 Jul-Aug;59(4):1296-1307. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12996. Epub 2023 Dec 29.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests telehealth in speech and language therapy can enhance access to care, cost-effectiveness and satisfaction. However, little is known about use of telehealth in the United Kingdom. Moreover, many assessments/outcome measures for aphasia have been tested for face-to-face administration only, posing challenges to reliable use within the telehealth context. We explored the experiences and views of speech and language therapists (SLTs) working with people with aphasia on using telehealth to conduct assessments/outcome measures, perceived barriers and facilitators in telehealth, and their priorities for research in telehealth aphasia assessment. METHOD: We explored views of UK SLTs through an online cross-sectional survey (2021) delivered through the Qualtrics platform. The survey covered three main areas: (i) participant demographics; (ii) experience of using telehealth and doing telehealth assessments with people with aphasia post-stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (iii) plans for telehealth post-pandemic. Response formats included yes/no, multiple choice, 5-point Likert scales and open-ended text responses. The survey was expected to take no more than 10 min to complete. Survey data were analysed through descriptive statistics and content analysis of open-ended questions. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four SLTs responded to the survey. The majority (>80%) used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and >90% planned to continue to use telehealth in the future. The most used platforms were Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Attend Anywhere. Access to internet and telehealth platforms, and practical problems (e.g., difficulties sharing resources online, limited functionality of telehealth platforms for assessment) were common barriers. Therapists highlighted that training, resources and materials that assist the administration of assessments were important. Most participants responded that there was a need for existing measures to be tested for administration via telehealth (n = 68, 70.8%). Participants overall felt there was a need for online interactive assessments, more online resources that have been trialled for use via telehealth, accessible formats for resources for people with aphasia and clear instructions for how people with aphasia can access resources. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights into the current use of telehealth assessment with people with aphasia in the United Kingdom and directions for future research. Barriers and facilitators identified can support the implementation of telehealth assessment in SLT services. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject The use of telehealth in speech and language therapy has advantages in terms of access to care, cost-effectiveness and satisfaction with care. However, little is known about the use of telehealth in aphasia rehabilitation in the United Kingdom, especially in the area of assessment and outcome measurement. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study identified that the majority (>80%) of aphasia therapists used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and >90% planned to continue to use telehealth in the future. A need was identified for existing measures to be tested for administration via telehealth and for training, resources (e.g., online interactive assessments) and materials (e.g., accessible formats for people with aphasia). What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? To facilitate the successful implementation of telehealth assessment, there is a need for measures validated for use via telehealth and more online resources that have been trialled for use via telehealth.
背景与目的:有证据表明,远程医疗在言语和语言治疗中可以提高护理的可及性、成本效益和满意度。然而,目前对于英国远程医疗的使用情况知之甚少。此外,许多失语症评估/结果测量方法仅经过面对面评估的验证,这给远程医疗环境下的可靠使用带来了挑战。我们探讨了在使用远程医疗进行评估/结果测量时,言语和语言治疗师(SLTs)与失语症患者合作的经验和观点,他们认为远程医疗存在哪些障碍和促进因素,以及他们对远程医疗失语症评估研究的优先事项。
方法:我们通过 Qualtrics 平台上的在线横断面调查(2021 年)来探讨英国 SLTs 的观点。该调查涵盖了三个主要领域:(i)参与者的人口统计学特征;(ii)在 COVID-19 大流行期间使用远程医疗和为中风后失语症患者进行远程评估的经验;(iii)大流行后的远程医疗计划。响应格式包括是/否、多项选择、5 点李克特量表和开放式文本响应。预计完成调查不超过 10 分钟。通过描述性统计和开放式问题的内容分析来分析调查数据。
结果:124 名 SLTs 对调查做出了回应。大多数(>80%)在 COVID-19 大流行期间使用了远程医疗,超过 90%的人计划在未来继续使用远程医疗。使用最多的平台是 Zoom、Microsoft Teams 和 Attend Anywhere。互联网和远程医疗平台的访问以及实际问题(例如,在线资源共享困难、远程医疗平台评估功能有限)是常见的障碍。治疗师强调,培训、资源和材料可以帮助评估的进行是很重要的。大多数参与者(n=68,70.8%)表示需要对现有的评估方法进行远程医疗验证。大多数参与者认为需要开发在线互动评估方法,更多已通过远程医疗试用的在线资源,适用于失语症患者的资源的可访问格式,以及如何使失语症患者能够访问资源的清晰说明。
结论:本研究提供了有关英国当前在失语症患者中使用远程医疗评估的新见解,并为未来的研究指明了方向。确定的障碍和促进因素可以支持在言语和语言治疗服务中实施远程医疗评估。
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2024
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2024
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2024