The coronavirus pandemic has required health care providers to rethink how they deliver care in ways that reduce the risk of further spreading the infection. This includes the Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, so we looked into it in order to best help CardioFlex Therapy patients.

Telehealth, the use of electronic communication to remotely provide health care information and services, is gaining more and more attention as providers, patients, and payers all seek more effective and cost-efficient ways to deliver care. Physical Therapy is no exception, and while those services have developed mostly in rural areas to accommodate the long distances between patients and providers, telehealth in physical therapy is being considered in other geographic and clinical settings.Its use is becoming increasingly common by healthcare professionals, including allied healthcare specialties such as occupational and physical therapy.

Telehealth is one approach that can help keep both patients and providers safe, but CardioFlex Therapy Physical Therapists still need to understand the current regulatory and payer telehealth landscape to decide whether telehealth is right — or even a possibility — for them, and for you. The information in this article can help you get a better sense of the issues surrounding physical therapy and telehealth, particularly related to the current viral outbreak. Keep in mind that circumstances are constantly changing and this information is current as of the publication date.

Benefits of Telehealth

The Telehealth method has helped a person’s independence in their home exercise program, help them problem solve where and how to do the exercises they were taught in the clinic, progress activity recommendations, evaluate performance on home exercise equipment, and make recommendations for office environments and ergonomics.

Physical Therapy Telehealth services are emerging in pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, oncology, wound management, orthopedics, neurology, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and in home health care. Obviously, any Physical Therapy services that require hands-on care are not provided via telehealth. Screening out patients that require in-office care is key to appropriate use of telehealth. Telehealth is just a tool to facilitate best practice and care in physical therapy and cannot duplicate any unwarranted services. If telehealth services are not improving the quality of care or improving patient outcomes, they could not, and should not be used.

But is telehealth a potential business opportunity for small practices? Absolutely! CardioFlex Therapy in Davie believes a Physical Therapy practice can definitely expand its physical reach and offer specialty services to a broader geographical audience. Telehealth Physical Therapy can be an opportunity, but it is more complex than just a simple video chat. Offering telehealth services is the same as establishing professional in-office care. It will require risk mitigation with attorneys, insurance, billing and coding, documentation, and competencies for staff and yourself in policies and procedures for emergencies and handling all situations, this can take time and plenty of energy, but it could work for many. We’ll leave all this paperwork and legal issues for the experts.

Telehealth is imperative for proper in-home Physical Therapy

Telehealth is not just a quick audio or video chat. The level of care must be similar to or the same as in-office care for it to actually work for both parties. There is a need for developing continuing education and training to ensure that we are providing the best standard of care possible. As more practitioners want to add telehealth to their services, training would help ensure ethical and high-quality care.

In physical therapy, patients/clients are asking for more time-efficient and less costly care models. Their busy lifestyles also can make it difficult for them to attend traditional appointments. To offer Physical Therapy via Telehealth could be a very interesting solution.

Applications of telehealth in physical therapy already have roots that expand throughout patient/client care and consultation, as it allows PTs to better communicate with patients/clients and provide more flexible care. Telehealth will not replace traditional clinical care, however, it will give Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants the flexibility to provide services in a greater capacity. Examples:

-Patients typically in clinical or hospital settings could be managed from their homes

-Quicker screening, assessment, and referrals can improve care coordination within collaborative delivery models such as accountable care organizations or patient-centered medical homes.

-Telehealth can facilitate consultation between providers or in clinical education.

Telehealth & CardioFlex Therapy

CardioFlex Therapy in Davie, Fl, believes that there’s a potential for cost-savings, improved outcomes, increased access, and higher patient satisfaction through the use of telerehabilitation. Some Physical Therapists now provide physical therapy solely through telehealth for treating orthopedic conditions, such as those involving knees and backs. Others use telehealth to assist patients with balance and dizziness issues who don’t need a hands-on approach.

With telehealth, patients can meet with their Physical and Occupational Therapists in the comfort of their own home, without needing to travel and take an entire day off work. Neither Physical Therapists nor patients are confined to a 9-to-5 schedule for appointments. It’s a win-win for both.

The hybrid in-clinic/telehealth model could also be of interest, where the Physical Therapist usually conducts the initial visit at the outpatient clinic, and then continue treating their patients via telehealth where appropriate, based on the needs of the patient.

Terry Abrams, owner and head Physical Therapist of CardioFlex Physical Therapy in Davie, believes the needs of older adults could greatly benefit with the telehealth system. “We treat multiple sclerosis patients, who are optimal telehealth candidates. I find that musculoskeletal, orthopedics, pain management, and cardiovascular rehab patients can be great candidates for telehealth”. Telehealth is a great format for patient education classes on topics like how to manage chronic back pain, as well as exercise classes like yoga and tai chi.

In the future, CardioFlex Therapy hopes to expand its services to the use of telehealth, to treat stroke cases and group exercises, it exponentially increases patients access of care. It is key for all Physical Therapists to know when to urge and how to persuade the patient to seek a face-to-face level of care.

The COVID-19 pandemic makes this position all the more relevant; health care providers and payers must reconsider how care is delivered to reduce the risk of further spreading infection. Access to telehealth has become of paramount importance to ensure the safety of patients and their Physical Therapy providers. Every state has its own provisions as to how professionals can use telehealth, for example, if the patient has to be a former patient of the practice or not, or if it is required to use live video in order to help the patient, or if it is delivered over a secure connection, and so on.

Physical Therapists should use their discretion as to the nature and frequency of using telehealth, and do so within their scope of practice while abiding by any state practice act restrictions as well as their obligations to the physical therapy profession.

About CardioFlex Physical therapy Davie Florida

CardioFlex Therapy is a results oriented physical therapy & occupational therapy clinic in Davie, Florida. With our individualized and specifically designed approach to occupational therapy & physical therapy Davie Florida, the attention given to our patients is completely focused. By offering such a personalized approach to physical therapy, we are creating a new standard in the physical therapy Davie Florida market. Since our launch in 2005, thousands of patients have been assisted in reaching their personal and functional goals

CardioFlex offers free Injuries & conditions advice. To set up an appointment please contact us at (954) 693-9090 – we are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

About the Author

Terry Abrams is the President & Director of Physical Therapy for CardioFlex Therapy, a start-up company founded in 2005 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Delivering both Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy, CardioFlex Therapy’s Outpatient Clinic is centrally located in Davie, FL serving the towns of Cooper City, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Southwest Ranches, Hollywood, Miramar, Sunrise, & Fort Lauderdale. For Home Physical Therapy, CardioFlex sends its therapists to homes located in Broward, Dade, & Palm Beach counties.