Pediatric Physical Therapists' Perceptions of Telehealth Continuation Post-pandemic: A Thematic Analysis of Open-Ended Survey Responses.

PURPOSE: To explore pediatric physical therapists' (PTs) perceptions about continuing telehealth services post-pandemic. METHODS: Two open-ended questions from a larger survey were analyzed using a pragmatic application of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred two pediatric PTs in the United States responded. Themes included Telehealth During COVID-19, Benefits, Drawbacks , and Recommendations . Telehealth During COVID-19 acknowledged adopting and providing telehealth during a global pandemic was likely different than at other times. Benefits described perceived positive aspects of telehealth for children, families, and PTs, which support continuation of telehealth post-pandemic. Drawbacks described perceived negative aspects of telehealth for children, families, and PTs, which may dissuade continuation. Recommendations described respondents' recommendations for the continuation of telehealth. Ultimately respondents recommended a hybrid model of telehealth and in-person services going forward. CONCLUSIONS: A hybrid model of telehealth and in-person services may have the benefits of increasing access, flexibility, efficiency, communication, and home programming across pediatric practice settings.

Adoption of Telehealth by Pediatric Physical Therapists During COVID-19: A Survey Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of pediatric physical therapy telehealth practice during COVID-19. METHODS: An anonymous, online survey was distributed to pediatric physical therapists (PTs) in the United States who transitioned to telehealth during COVID-19. RESULTS: Two hundred five respondents completed all quantitative questions. Ninety-six percent reported never providing telehealth previously and only 14.6% had formal training. More than 35% reported 76% to 100% of their caseload transitioned to telehealth. Most respondents perceived that telehealth was somewhat or very effective for caregivers (90.3%) and children (77.1%) and felt somewhat or very confident providing telehealth (73.2%). However, those practicing in school-based settings rated perceived effectiveness and confidence lower than PTs in other settings. Ultimately, 76.1% of respondents would consider providing telehealth in the future. CONCLUSION: The forced transition of pediatric PTs to the telehealth model during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in positive experiences for many, supporting wider adoption in the future.

Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, Facilitators, and Barriers Influencing Effectiveness-a Survey Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the important factors, facilitators, and barriers for telehealth effectiveness as described by pediatric physical therapists, transitioning from in-person to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Pediatric physical therapists' responses to 3 open-ended questions and 1 multipart Likert Scale question from an anonymous survey were collected and analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Three overarching themes (Caregiver Engagement, Technology, and Resilience) were identified and accompanied by 3 subthemes (Personal Attributes, Equity, and COVID-Specific Considerations). Themes were supported by the Likert Scale question with Child/Caregiver Interaction, Internet Connection, and Family Factors identified as the most important factors related to telehealth effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: High caregiver engagement and access to stable technology were most important for telehealth effectiveness. The telehealth service model met a need during the pandemic; however, emerging evidence suggests that it could be considered as an effective service delivery mode postpandemic.