The Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of telehealth in speech-language and hearing therapy for patients at home: an experience report

Abstract

We present an experience report on the implementation of real-time telehealth in speech-language and hearing therapy for patients who were previously seen on an outpatient basis in a primary health care service. Twenty-five users were being monitored by the Speech-Language Therapy (SLT) team when the first cases of COVID-19 were notified in southern Brazil. Of these, it was judged that twelve patients required at least a monitoring call every two weeks. Teleconsultations were available in this first stage, on an emergency basis, during the implementation of the project in this format. The idea was to guarantee, due to the suspension of the SLT sessions, the maintenance of the care service for patients who could suffer worsening of their cases or even comorbidities. The appointments were carried out by video calls by SLT students, therapists of the extension project, and supervised by a speech-language therapist, synchronously. All conversations and orientations during the teleconsultation were conducted as calmly as possible and, in the case of infant patients, permeated by some playful activities. Telehealth has shown to be an efficient resource for the care of patients with SLT demands, enabling remote care with the same quality as face-to-face care. In addition, it has relevant potential, considering that there are a significant number of patients who need SLT assessment and live in regions where there is a shortage of qualified professionals.

Caregivers and Physical therapists' Perceptions of Telehealth for infants with Down Syndrome during COVID-19: Case reports

“…As for the professionals' perceptions, the results revealed that both the most experienced and the least experienced therapists had similar opinions regarding the conduct of telehealth strategies and recommend their continuity even after the COVID-19 pandemic. These results were in accordance with another Brazilian study (Dimer et al, 2020) which evaluated the benefits of speech therapy using telehealth strategies.…”

“…There are some limitations in performing high quality early home intervention that may differ from family to family, because the home environments are varied and difficult to control. On the other hand, the main advantage for families is not needing to travel to early intervention service's locations and the possibility of learning how to stimulate their infant from home (Dimer et al, 2020). In our proposal, the limiting factors described in the results could be overcome thanks to the option to remotely manage training at home.…”

“…In addition, the therapist must be aware that the responsibility for the physical therapeutic intervention should not be transferred to the guardians, be empathetic with the dynamics of each family, and also resolve the doubts presented. On the other hand, the family must actively participate in the guidelines provided and request help whenever it is necessary (Dimer et al, 2020).…”

Uso de telessaúde por alunos de graduação em Fonoaudiologia: possibilidades e perspectivas em tempos de pandemia por COVID-19

“…The report on the implementation of telehealth in speech therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic for patients who were previously treated on an outpatient clinic in a primary health care facility was recently described (13) . The purpose was to guarantee the continuity of the care service for patients who could suffer worsening or comorbidities, during the period of social distancing.…”

Uso de telessaúde por alunos de graduação em Fonoaudiologia: Possibilidades e perspectivas em tempos de pandemia por COVID-19

“…O relato de implementação da telessaúde na terapia fonoaudiológica durante a pandemia do COVID-19 para pacientes que foram previamente atendidos ambulatorialmente em um serviço de atenção primária à saúde foi publicado recentemente (13) . A proposta foi garantir, durante o período de distanciamento social, a manutenção do serviço de atendimento a pacientes que poderiam sofrer piora ou comorbidades.…”