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Telehealth Research Paper

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Introduction
Telehealth, or telemedicine, can be defined in several different ways. In terms of rehabilitation, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines telehealth as “the use of electronic communications to provide and deliver a host of health-related information and health care services, including, but not limited to, physical therapy-related information and services, over large and small services” (Lee 2012). A simpler definition of telehealth is “the delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunication technologies” (Lee & Billings). Although many people may assume that telemedicine is a very new phenomenon, it dates back to the early 1990s (Brear, 2006). There is a significant proportion of the world’s …show more content…
Not everyone has the luxury to simply get in their car and drive down the street or across town to get to a doctor’s office. This is why the use of telemedicine can be so beneficial and is essential to rural communities. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted in order to show that telehealth could be used efficiently and effectively in our country’s healthcare system (Lee 2012). In regards to physical therapy, telemedicine can be used in a variety of ways to bring rehabilitation to those who live in remote areas. Telemedicine is currently a very important practice, because it allows clinicians to expand the ways they can treat their patients with physical therapy (Peterson). With advancements in technology, health providers are able to speak with their clients in real-time using audio and visual communications where they can conduct evaluations and send home exercise programs straight to their …show more content…
For example, a study was completed in Canada where inter-professional spinal triage management was provided for chronic back issues to a patient living in a remote area using a robot as a form of telemedicine. The patient received both in person physical therapy treatment as well as the robotic treatment, and she compared the two afterwards. After completing her treatment, a follow-up interview took place where the patient stated that she was “very satisfied” with the treatment received from the robot and that she felt this type of treatment was “as good as a traditional face-to-face assessment.” She also attested that she would feel comfortable recommending the use of telemedicine for physical therapy to a friend if they were unable to travel (Grona). Although this is only one patient’s account, this shows that providing physical therapy without being face to face can still be beneficial. Another example comes from a study that was conducted in Washington in 2014 and 2015 where patients were assigned to either an in-person group or a telehealth group in which they received physical therapy. The outcome measures used were a Short Physical Performance Battery Test and a Six Minute Walk Test as well as a satisfaction survey. The tests were used to check for gait

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