As our clinics are currently closed save a limited number of essential face-to-face appointments, we’re currently offering video and phone consultations. Our physio, Neil Harris, looked over some research by Hinman et al (2017), where they interviewed both patients and physiotherapists, to find out about their perspectives of video consultations.
What are they actually like? Well, this research suggested there were additional benefits compared to usual face-to-face sessions.
Location, location, location
Patients appreciated not having to travel to a clinic, find parking, wait in the waiting room or travel long distances when in pain. The time saved meant an online consultant is more time efficient, along with the flexibility and ease of access it offers.
Therapists noticed that patients were more relaxed as they were in the familiar surroundings of their own home, and this allowed patients to be more receptive to the information provided.
Seeing you in your home
Physical examination focused on activities of daily living, with therapists observing patients performing usual everyday tasks in their own home environment. Patients felt this contributed to more “personal”, “individualised” and “concentrated” care.
More time to listen and talk
Being unable to touch a patient meant therapists were forced to rely more on the questions they asked a patient, leading them to spend more time talking with and listening to patients.
Advice and education, encouraging movement and promoting resistance exercise are probably the most important things any physiotherapist can do, all of which can be relayed through an online or phone consultation.
Increased focus on exercise
Therapists saw the empowering effect that the home environment had on a patient completing an exercise program. They felt it facilitated correct and safe exercise technique by seeing a patient do an exercise in their usual surroundings.
This also allowed patients to focus more thoroughly on their exercises because they were more comfortable and confident at home and the exercises were performed within a familiar environment. At Spectrum Health, we will also send your exercises to you after the consultation, either by email or post.
Empowering you
Importantly, patients described improved confidence and a greater sense of being able to manage and control their condition. Online consultations allowed therapists to focus on the most important and effective treatment elements for patients, namely education, exercise and self-management skills.
Some other frequently asked questions are now answered by our physios.
Who is this video consultation service suitable for?
The short answer is: every type of ache and pain! A lot of the cases we are currently seeing are acute onset pain due to a change in work environment or a change in activity. Others are ongoing nagging pain and time is having an effect on the symptoms now. Then, of course, are the post-operative physiotherapy with rehabilitation protocols and progressions.
How can you do physiotherapy without the hands-on “therapy”?
From a clinical perspective, which is supported by the evidence, hands on therapy, dry needing, acupuncture and massage, etc., in general, usually only provides short term relief whereas advice, education and a strong rehab plan will help to remedy the issue.
