Authors (including presenting author) :
ChanSF(1), LinHC(1), LeungSM(1), PoTF(1), HuiN(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational therapy department, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of telehealth services. Home assessment and modification are crucial occupational therapy interventions for facilitating patients' community reintegration, traditionally conducted through face-to-face visits. It contributes to improving the quality of life and reducing the readmission rate of patients. To leverage technological advancements for better service outcomes, a pilot tele-visit program via HAGO with a streamlined workflow was introduced as an alternative approach to conducting home environment screenings and modifications.
Objectives :
1. To empower caregivers and maximize service efficiency in tele-visit provision using HAGO with an optional tailor-made online platform.
2. To evaluate the service outcome of the new workflow
3. To assess the effectiveness through therapist and caregivers' satisfaction surveys using a 5-point scale.
Methodology :
Patients with access to HAGO installed on their smartphones, along with caregiver support, were selected to participate in tele-visits for home environment screenings. To facilitate the use of HAGO, clear instructions on telehealth applications were provided during the initial assessment. Detailed guidance with photo illustrations by an optional online platform, was given to caregivers to ensure accurate home environment measurements for modifications while maintaining patient confidentiality.
Result & Outcome :
Outcome:
From April to December 2024, a total of 18 patients received tele-visits, resulting in significantly optimized service efficiency through the use of HAGO. The time required for home visits was reduced from up to 1.5 hours to under 30 minutes, primarily due to decreased travelling time. Tele-visits also led to shorter average waiting times (12.5 days) compared to conventional visits (19.2 days). Positive feedback from caregivers and therapists was received. All caregivers were satisfied regarding tele-visits via HAGO. 87.5% of caregivers and all therapists found the new workflow effective and efficient. However, some challenges were encountered, such as complexities in the user interface and technical issues, leading to only a 50% preference for tele-visits over conventional ones.
Conclusion:
Adopting a new workflow in Telehealth utilizing HAGO served as a viable alternative in home environment screening. While tele-visits enhance service effectiveness and efficiency, traditional face-to-face visits remain crucial for complicated conditions and patients with limited social support. Simplifying the user interface for older populations and integrating features for caregivers to upload measurements and photos could further enhance the telehealth experience in the future.
