The use of telehealth during and after Covid 19 among physiotherapists in Ireland
Chithapuram Bhaskaran, Vivek Kumar (2023)
Chithapuram Bhaskaran, Vivek Kumar
2023
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023110728741
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023110728741
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Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to explore the use of telehealth services among the Physiotherapists in Ireland in the presence of COVID-19 and after COVID-19 restrictions lifted. It analysed gaps in adoption, facilitators, and obstacles of telehealth solutions in Ireland. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to collect the data from 133 physiotherapists and sample was provided while delivering Physiotherapy services during the COVID-19(from March 2020 to March 2022) pandemic. The data were collected through Qualtrics using a self-developed questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were examined through content validity, Kuder-Richardson (.73) and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (.76).
The survey was available from 8th of June 2023 to 6th July 2023 to Physiotherapist currently working in Ireland. The results revealed that the use of telehealth services significantly reduced after the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions lifted and the most popular forms of telehealth modes were video consultations and telephone among the physiotherapists. The survey findings explored that improved patient’s accessibility; public acceptance, cost-effectiveness, and seamless healthcare delivery were the major enablers of telehealth in Ireland. Additionally, current telehealth implementation was impractical and inappropriate for physiotherapy interventions including patient’s preference for face-to-face contact, poor infrastructure, insufficient facilities, inadequate funding, and lack of job satisfaction. The prior findings exhibited that telehealth solutions can be blended with traditional methods through greater infrastructure development. It is suggested that investigations should establish telehealth efficient practices in complex therapeutic practices at a wider range.
The main aim of this study was to explore the use of telehealth services among the Physiotherapists in Ireland in the presence of COVID-19 and after COVID-19 restrictions lifted. It analysed gaps in adoption, facilitators, and obstacles of telehealth solutions in Ireland. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to collect the data from 133 physiotherapists and sample was provided while delivering Physiotherapy services during the COVID-19(from March 2020 to March 2022) pandemic. The data were collected through Qualtrics using a self-developed questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were examined through content validity, Kuder-Richardson (.73) and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (.76).
The survey was available from 8th of June 2023 to 6th July 2023 to Physiotherapist currently working in Ireland. The results revealed that the use of telehealth services significantly reduced after the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions lifted and the most popular forms of telehealth modes were video consultations and telephone among the physiotherapists. The survey findings explored that improved patient’s accessibility; public acceptance, cost-effectiveness, and seamless healthcare delivery were the major enablers of telehealth in Ireland. Additionally, current telehealth implementation was impractical and inappropriate for physiotherapy interventions including patient’s preference for face-to-face contact, poor infrastructure, insufficient facilities, inadequate funding, and lack of job satisfaction. The prior findings exhibited that telehealth solutions can be blended with traditional methods through greater infrastructure development. It is suggested that investigations should establish telehealth efficient practices in complex therapeutic practices at a wider range.