Dataset Information

Perceptions about the efficacy and acceptability of telephone and video-delivered allied healthcare for adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional national survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Investigate and compare perceptions about the efficacy and acceptability of allied healthcare delivered via telephone and video call for adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Cross-sectional national survey.

Setting

Participants who accessed occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, or speech pathology care via telephone or via video call in June - September 2020.

Participants

Adults with permanent or significant disabilities, or their carers/partners/family members, who were funded by the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Interventions

NOT applicable.

Main outcome measures

Experiences (e.g., safety, efficacy, and ease of use) with telephone and video-delivered care. Data were analysed by calculating response proportions and Chi-square tests to evaluate differences in experiences between allied health professions and between telephone and video modalities.

Results

Responses were obtained for 581 adults with disabilities. There was no evidence of differences between experiences with telephone or video-delivered services, or across allied health professions. Overall, between 47-56% of respondents found telehealth technology easy to use (versus 17-26% who found it difficult), 51-55% felt comfortable communicating (versus 24-27% who felt uncomfortable), 51-67% were happy with the privacy/security (versus 6-9% who were unhappy), 74% were happy with the safety (versus 5-7% who were unhappy), and 56-64% believed the care they received was effective (versus 17% who believed it was ineffective). Despite this, 48-51% were unlikely to choose to use telephone or video consultations in the future (versus 32-36% who were likely).

Conclusion

Adults with disabilities in Australia had generally positive experiences receiving allied healthcare via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, though some experienced difficulties using, and communicating via, the technology. Findings indicated no differences between satisfaction with telephone or video modalities, or between physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, or psychology services.

SUBMITTER: Lawford BJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8760738 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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