Telehealth
Telehealth is a healthcare appointment by video or phone that directly connects you with your allied health therapist
There are many benefits of telehealth
Strong evidence
Telehealth is now standard practice for many allied health services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has been shown to be the best way of delivering therapy to prevent transmission of the virus. It has shown to be cost-effective, convenient, accessible and to reduce hospitalisations.
Use it or lose it
NeuroRehab follows government guidelines for when we can provide face-to-face care. If face-to-face care is not an option, you don’t have to put a pause on therapy. Telehealth allows you to keep working on your goals so that you don’t lose your progress.
Stay safe
Telehealth reduces the risk of exposure to infectious illness such as COVID-19. Facemasks are not required for telehealth – this is good news for people who find them uncomfortable and a barrier to therapy.
Stay connected
Telehealth sessions can be shorter than face-to-face sessions. Checking in with your therapist allows them to monitor your home program and make adjustments as needed. It can also keep you motivated.
More options
Sometimes, being home is the most convenient (and comfortable) place to access therapy. Telehealth also gives you access to services that are located anywhere.
Less travel
Avoid travel costs associated with needing a therapist to travel to you, or the time it takes you to travel to a clinic.
Research shows telehealth is an effective way to deliver allied health therapy
Telehealth can be beneficial in the rehabilitation phase of stroke recovery. Most research has found that telehealth physical, occupational, speech and memory rehabilitation for stroke survivors, is equally, if not more effective than in-clinic rehabilitation services.
How telehealth can be used to work toward your goals
Talk to your treating therapist about how telehealth could work for you.
All you need is a smart phone, tablet or computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection. You will receive details of how to join your telehealth appointment via email.
A member of our team will happily run a trial with you to test your connection and explain the features of the video conferencing platform prior to the first session with your therapist. Please let us know if you would like this assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is telehealth not recommended?
If you don’t have a reliable internet connection.
If therapy requires someone present to prevent you from injury. In some cases, a home visit to set up your home prior to Telehealth may be required.
If therapy requires access to NeuroRehab Allied Health Network specialist equipment.
If you have an unstable health condition and require close monitoring.
What is the charge for a telehealth session?
A Telehealth therapy session incurs the same billing as a face-to-face session. A member of our admin team can help you set up Telehealth for a trial at no cost.
Will my information be confidential?
Regardless of the method of delivery, all allied health professionals in Australia are required to abide by a Code of Ethics. This ethical code is upheld in Telehealth the same way as it would be in face-to-face service delivery.
The video conferencing technology used by NeuroRehab Allied Health Network is safe. It has end-to-end encryption and transparent and controlled data routing and is privacy shield certified. Video, photo, and audio data is not saved and cannot be accessed by the video conferencing provider.
Can I access an interpreter when doing telehealth?
Yes – if you need an interpreter our admin team can book one to join the telehealth session.
What equipment do I need for telehealth?
Some clients choose to have phone consultations if they do not feel comfortable with video technology.
For a video session, you need a smart phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone and a reliable internet connection. To ensure your privacy, it is not recommended public computers (such as those in a library) are used.
How do I book a telehealth session?
Contact your therapist or call us on 1300 13 16 19 and let us know you are interested in telehealth. A therapist will assess whether telehealth will help you meet your goals.
You will receive details of how to join your telehealth appointment via email. A member of our team will happily run a trial with you to test your connection and explain the features of the video conferencing platform prior to the first session with your therapist. Please let us know if you would like this assistance.
Evidence references
Cramer SC, Dodakian L, Le V, et al. Efficacy of home-based telerehabilitation vs in-clinic therapy for adults after stroke: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2019;76(9):1079. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.1604
Chen J, Sun D, Zhang S, et al. Effects of home-based telerehabilitation in patients with stroke: A randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 2020;95(17):e2318-e2330. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000010821
Morrell K, Hyers M, Stuchiner T, et al. Telehealth stroke dysphagia evaluation is safe and effective. CED. 2017;44(3-4):225-231. doi:10.1159/000478107
Lawson DW, Stolwyk RJ, Ponsford JL, McKenzie DP, Downing MG, Wong D. Telehealth delivery of memory rehabilitation following stroke. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. 2020;26(1):58-71. doi:10.1017/S1355617719000651
Downloads
Download our Telehealth information sheets for easy reference.
Telehealth
The above information condensed onto an A4 flyer. Click the link to download the Telehealth Info Sheet.
Telehealth – How to Set Up Your Video Call
A guide to setting up your device to undertake a Telehealth appointment. Click the link to download the Telehealth Set Up Guide.
Telehealth – How to Set Up Your Video Call – NeuroJunior
A guide to setting up your device to undertake a Telehealth appointment. Click the link to download the Telehealth Set Up Guide.
Telehealth – Troubleshooting Guide
How to fix problems with your video call. Click the link to download the Telehealth Troubleshooting Guide.