Research on Remote Service Delivery and Distance Learning
Updated August 28, 2020, 3:35 PMThe International Journal of Telerehabilitation (IJT) is a biannual journal dedicated to advancing telerehabilitation by disseminating information about current research and practices.
Parent Perspectives of an Occupational Therapy Telehealth Intervention
This study explored the lived experience of parents following a 12-week occupational therapy telehealth intervention. Parent perceptions provided insight into how occupation-based coaching delivered via telehealth was compatible with daily life, grounded in a collaborative parent-therapist relationship, and supported parents to feel empowered.
Wallisch, A., Little, L., Pope, E., & Dunn, W. (2019). Parent Perspectives of an Occupational Therapy Telehealth Intervention. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 11(1), 15–22. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2019.6274
Report on the Use of Telehealth in Early Intervention in Colorado: Strengths and Challenges with Telehealth as a Service Delivery Method
The focus of this report was to determine the factors that influence providers’ utilization of telehealth in Colorado’s Part C Early Intervention program (EI Colorado). Participants identified several benefits associated with telehealth including its flexibility, access to providers, and more family engagement. The primary barriers included access to high speed internet and the opinion that telehealth was not as effective as in-person treatment. The results in the report served to identify next steps in the implementation of telehealth in Colorado’s Part C EI program.
Cole, B., Pickard, K., & Stredler-Brown, A. (2019). Report on the Use of Telehealth in Early Intervention in Colorado: Strengths and Challenges with Telehealth as a Service Delivery Method. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 11(1), 33–40. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2019.6273
A Multisite Study Evaluating the Benefits of Early Intervention via Telepractice
This study sought to determine the effectiveness of telepractice as a method of delivering early intervention services to families of infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing. This study supports the effectiveness of telepractice in delivering early intervention services to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Further research involving randomized trials with larger, more diverse populations is warranted.
Behl, D. D., Blaiser, K., Cook, G., Barrett, T., Callow-Heusser, C., Brooks, B. M., … White, K. R. (2017). A Multisite Study Evaluating the Benefits of Early Intervention via Telepractice. Infants & Young Children, 30(2), 147–161. doi: 10.1097/iyc.0000000000000090
The Development of Statewide Policies and Procedures To Implement Telehealth for Part C Service Delivery
The use of telehealth has been discussed nationally as an option to address provider shortages for children, birth through two, enrolled in Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Early Intervention (EI) programs. Telehealth is an evidence-based service delivery model which can be used to remove barriers in providing EI services to children and their families. In 2016, Colorado’s Part C Early Intervention (EI) program began allowing the use of telehealth as an option for providers to conduct sessions with children and their caregivers. This article outlines the process taken to develop the necessary requirements and supports for telehealth to be incorporated into EI current practice.
Cole, B., Stredler-Brown, A., Cohill, B., Blaiser, K., Behl, D., & Ringwalt, S. (2016). The Development of Statewide Policies and Procedures to Implement Telehealth for Part C Service Delivery. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 8(2), 77–82. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2016.6206
Overview of States' Use of Telehealth for the Delivery of Early Intervention (IDEA Part C) Services
Telehealth is an emerging delivery model demonstrating potential to deliver EI services effectively and efficiently, thereby improving access and ameliorating the impact of provider shortages in underserved areas. The use of a telehealth delivery model facilitates inter-disciplinary collaboration, coordinated care, and consultation with specialists not available within a local community.
Cason, J., Behl, D., & Ringwalt, S. (2012). Overview of States Use of Telehealth for the Delivery of Early Intervention (IDEA Part C) Services. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 4(2). doi: 10.5195/ijt.2012.6105
Telerehabilitation: An Adjunct Service Delivery Model for Early Intervention Services
Telerehabilitation has the potential to build capacity among caregivers and local providers as well as promote family-centered services through remote consultation. This article provides an overview of research related to telerehabilitation and early intervention services; discusses the feasibility of telerehabilitation within traditional EI service delivery models; examines telecommunications technology associated with telerehabilitation; and provides hypothetical case examples designed to illustrate potential applications of telerehabilitation in early intervention.
Cason, J. (2011). Telerehabilitation: An Adjunct Service Delivery Model for Early Intervention Services. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 3(1). doi: 10.5195/ijt.2011.6071