Telepractice: An Overview and Best Practices

Abstract

Telepractice is the use of telecommunications technology to deliver speech therapy and audiology services to a client who is in a different physical location than the practitioner. This article presents a general overview of telepractice, including terminology and definitions; ethical considerations; privacy and security; reimbursement policy and trends; considerations for client selection; and telepractice resources. It was written to provide foundational information about telepractice for practitioners who are engaged with alternative and augmentative communication (AAC).

Telehealth: A Rapidly Developing Service Delivery Model for Occupational Therapy

“…It is increasingly evident that telehealth can improve access to rehabilitation services and specialists; prevent unnecessary delays in receiving care, including weather events impacting travel ( Cason & Cohn, 2014 ); and facilitate coordinated care and interprofessional collaboration ( Cason, 2012 ). The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms the efficacy of telehealth as an effective service delivery model for rehabilitation professionals (i.e., telerehabilitation).…”

Building a Successful Voice Telepractice Program

“…The need for telepractice will continue to grow due to four fundamental benefits: (a) improved access, (b) cost efficiencies, (c) quality of services, and (d) client demand. Improved access through telepractice addresses issues with recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in rural and remote areas and SLPs with appropriate expertise to service multicultural and bilingual populations (Cason & Cohn, 2014; Pickering et al, 1998). In addition, specialists may not be readily available in remote areas.…”

Results of a Survey Offering Clinical Insights into Speech-Language Pathology Telepractice Methods

“…By 2030, 72.1 million people in the USA will be 65 years or older and will represent 20% of the US population, expanding the need for speech-language pathology services while increasing costs ( Administration on Aging, 2014 ). Not only are demographics changing, but people are also experiencing extended work days reducing the capacity to commit to in-person services ( Cason & Cohn, 2014 ; Pickering et al, 1998 ). Equitable access to services continues to challenge current service delivery models as evidenced by ongoing difficulties with recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists in rural and remote areas and by servicing bilingual populations with qualified speech-language pathologists ( Cason & Cohn, 2014 ; Pickering et al, 1998 ).…”

“…Not only are demographics changing, but people are also experiencing extended work days reducing the capacity to commit to in-person services ( Cason & Cohn, 2014 ; Pickering et al, 1998 ). Equitable access to services continues to challenge current service delivery models as evidenced by ongoing difficulties with recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists in rural and remote areas and by servicing bilingual populations with qualified speech-language pathologists ( Cason & Cohn, 2014 ; Pickering et al, 1998 ). Furthermore, many individuals with communication disorders also have co-occurring physical disabilities that prohibit access to in-person services.…”