As we all know, COVID played a big part in so many professions moving to virtual services. And boy was it a learning curve for so many of us! That is definitely not a time I wish to revisit, but I do think that it opened some doors that otherwise would have remained closed.
During the pandemic, I was working for a local hospital and home health service. I was what they referred to as an “essential” employee. Things became very confused, complicated and overwhelming, almost overnight. Like wait, I’m required to wear a mask, googles, gloves and gown to see each patient every day? This in and of itself posed some real problems. For anyone who wore a mask and eyewear, you know what I’m talking about here. Be it goggles or regular seeing glasses, they were inevitably fogged up within the first two words spoken. Now you’re walking around blindly, feeling uncomfortably warm, and looking like something out of a spaceship. Add to that the fact that people generally couldn’t hear you as well because of your muffled masked speech. There were lots of obstacles to overcome but we all did it and we never missed a beat. We were there to help.
Fast forward to virtual opportunities. There was a push to get all the equipment in the home that would be needed to perform virtual treatment or telehealth. Equipment was becoming scarce because EVERYONE needed to have access to it. I admit that the first few months were less than ideal, but we figured it out and pushed forward. Looking back, it’s one of the best things that ever happened to me. While I still love in-person treatment and feel it’s the only way to go for some people, that’s not the case for all.
Some of the benefits of telehealth
- If you live in a rural area, it may be your only opportunity to receive treatment because of the scarcity of SLPs in the area.
- If you have mobility issues, it’s much more sustainable to turn on your computer for an appointment than to travel.
- If the weather is bad, you don’t have to cancel your appointment.
- You can receive YouTube videos, practice worksheets, and educational materials very quickly on the spot and you have permanent access to them.
Some negatives of telehealth
- Technology can be tricky and glitchy
- Limitations in care – there are some things that simply cannot be completed safely through virtual interactions.
- Feeling uncomfortable using technology leading to difficulty following through with session
- Challenges in patient engagement – no hands on patient interaction
I’ve worked in all settings with all populations. While I acknowledge that there are some constraints associated with virtual treatment, I feel the benefits are certainly something to be aware of. I can do my job effectively and professionally via telehealth. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t be doing it. Telehealth is not for everyone. Like with most things, I recommend giving it a try before deciding.