Enhancing Community Occupational Therapy Through Telehealth: Time and Distance Savings, Risk Mitigation, and Future Directions

This abstract has open access
Abstract Description
Submission ID :
HAC563
Submission Type
Authors (including presenting author) :
KWOK PH(1), Man YL(1), Lau FC(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Pok Oi Hospital
Introduction :
The adoption of telehealth in community occupational therapy programs has emerged as a transformative approach to delivering care, enhancing accessibility, and improving efficiency. This study evaluates the implementation of telehealth services for occupational therapy, focusing on its impact on time and distance savings for practitioners and patients. Importantly, telehealth not only streamlines service delivery but also minimizes various risks associated with in-person visits. In remote areas, where challenges such as unsafe travel conditions and potential hazards—like dog bites—are prevalent, telehealth offers a safer alternative. By reducing the need for physical travel, occupational therapists can mitigate these risks while ensuring continuity of care for their clients.
Objectives :
The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a telehealth model in community occupational therapy by examining the total distance and time saved during patient interactions. Additionally, we aim to highlight how saved time can be utilized by occupational therapists to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes.
Methodology :
From April to September 2024, eight cases were analyzed, comparing traditional in-person visits with telehealth sessions. Data on total distance travelled and time spent for each case were collected and calculated through Google Map, including both the outbound and return journeys. Metrics such as maximum, minimum, and average distances and times were calculated to provide a comprehensive overview of the benefits of telehealth.
Result & Outcome :
The implementation of telehealth resulted in a significant reduction in travel requirements, with a total distance saved of 86.2 kilometers and total time saved amounting to 470 minutes. Specifically, the maximum travelling time saved per session was 86 minutes over a distance of 19 kilometers, while the minimum travelling time saved was 20 minutes over a distance of 7 kilometers. On average, telehealth sessions saved 59 minutes travelling time and 10.775 kilometers per case.
These saved minutes allow occupational therapists to allocate their time more effectively, enabling them to conduct additional treatment sessions and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery. Furthermore, telehealth minimizes risks associated with travel, such as dog bites and safety concerns in remote areas.
Looking forward, the implementation of telehealth can lead to shorter waiting times for patients in remote areas, improving access to care and enhancing overall service delivery. The findings demonstrate that telehealth not only enhances operational efficiency but also empowers occupational therapists to deliver more comprehensive and timely care to their communities.
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