TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the delivery of remote physiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - UK wide service evaluation
AU - Hawley-Hague, Helen
AU - Gluchowski, Ashley
AU - Lasrado, Reena
AU - Martinez, Ellen
AU - Akhtar, Shehnaz
AU - Stanmore, Emma
AU - Tyson, Sarah
N1 - Funding Information:
This evaluation was funded through a competitive tender by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. This work was commissioned by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) but carried out independently for them. Special thanks to our PPI representatives and academic advisory group.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2024/10/1
Y1 - 2024/10/1
N2 - Introduction: During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, physiotherapists changed rapidly to working remotely. Research demonstrates the benefits of remote physiotherapy, but little is known about its implementation in practice. Purpose: Explore the take-up and delivery of remote physiotherapy during the pandemic in the United Kingdom. Methods: Sequential mixed methods evaluation with physiotherapists leading remote physiotherapy delivery. Two-stage approach included online survey (2020) and semi-structured interviews with documentary/data analysis (2021). Results: There were 1620 physiotherapists who completed the survey. The most used devices were telephone (n = 942,71.0%) and the AttendAnywhere platform (n = 511, 38.5%). Remote consultations were frequently used for initial assessment (n = 1105, 83%), screening/triage (n = 882, 67%), or to review, monitor, and progress treatment (n = 982–1004, 74%–76%). Qualitative survey responses reflected respondents’ response to COVID-19 and delivery of remote physiotherapy. Twelve remote physiotherapy leads were then purposively sampled across clinical areas. Three main themes emerged from interviews: response to Covid-19, delivery of remote physiotherapy, and future of remote physiotherapy. Conclusion: Remote physiotherapy was safe, feasible, and acceptable for those who accessed it. There were patients for which it was deemed unsuitable across clinical areas. In practice, it should be combined with in-person consultation based on patients’ needs/preferences. Further research should explore post-pandemic maintenance of remote delivery.
AB - Introduction: During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, physiotherapists changed rapidly to working remotely. Research demonstrates the benefits of remote physiotherapy, but little is known about its implementation in practice. Purpose: Explore the take-up and delivery of remote physiotherapy during the pandemic in the United Kingdom. Methods: Sequential mixed methods evaluation with physiotherapists leading remote physiotherapy delivery. Two-stage approach included online survey (2020) and semi-structured interviews with documentary/data analysis (2021). Results: There were 1620 physiotherapists who completed the survey. The most used devices were telephone (n = 942,71.0%) and the AttendAnywhere platform (n = 511, 38.5%). Remote consultations were frequently used for initial assessment (n = 1105, 83%), screening/triage (n = 882, 67%), or to review, monitor, and progress treatment (n = 982–1004, 74%–76%). Qualitative survey responses reflected respondents’ response to COVID-19 and delivery of remote physiotherapy. Twelve remote physiotherapy leads were then purposively sampled across clinical areas. Three main themes emerged from interviews: response to Covid-19, delivery of remote physiotherapy, and future of remote physiotherapy. Conclusion: Remote physiotherapy was safe, feasible, and acceptable for those who accessed it. There were patients for which it was deemed unsuitable across clinical areas. In practice, it should be combined with in-person consultation based on patients’ needs/preferences. Further research should explore post-pandemic maintenance of remote delivery.
KW - pandemic
KW - physiotherapy
KW - Remote
KW - tele-health
KW - tele-rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85168702945&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09593985.2023.2247069
DO - 10.1080/09593985.2023.2247069
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85168702945
VL - 40
SP - 2241
EP - 2255
JO - Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
JF - Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
SN - 0959-3985
IS - 10
ER -
