# THE USE OF TELEHEALTH DURING AND AFTER COVID 19 AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN IRELAND

> The ever-growing healthcare demands have prompted countries globally to adopt telehealth and Ireland is no exception. Ireland has embraced telehealth as a transformative force which has reshaped how healthcare is delivered in Ireland.

## Overview
The ever-growing healthcare demands have prompted countries globally to adopt telehealth and Ireland is no exception. Ireland has embraced telehealth as a transformative force which has reshaped how healthcare is delivered in Ireland. However, fragmentations within the Ireland’s healthcare systems, combined with regulatory complexities, underdeveloped infrastructure and gaps in policy implementation has decelerated the uptake of telehealth among the healthcare workers and the public likewise. 

The introduction of the eHealth strategy to integrate Information and Communication Technology into the Irish health system, especially the Health Service Executive (HSE), has revolutionised the delivery of healthcare service, particularly during the Covid-19 lockdown. Like other healthcare professionals, physiotherapists utilized telehealth modalities such as video conferencing, telephone consultations, exercise prescription software, and online digital exercise videos. This study explores the use of telehealth among physiotherapists in Ireland following the ease of Covid-19 restrictions to determine if the practice has been sustained and to identify the barriers and enablers involved.

## Research Objectives and Methodology
The study aims to investigate telehealth dependency trends, modalities used, and the challenges and opportunities concerning telehealth solutions among physiotherapists in Ireland. 

*   **Research Design:** Cross-sectional survey.
*   **Participants:** 118 physiotherapists working in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
*   **Data Collection:** Qualtrics, using a self-developed questionnaire.
*   **Validity/Reliability:** Content validity, Kuder-Richardson (.73), and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (.76).
*   **Analysis:** Quantitative measures (percentages and mean scores) and thematic analysis.

## Key Findings
*   **Demographics:** 33% male and 67% female participants; over half reported good IT literacy levels.
*   **Usage Trends:** During Covid-19, the vast majority used video consultations followed by telephone consultations. Post-restrictions, video consultation usage decreased, though some physiotherapists continue to use telephone consultations.
*   **Barriers:** 45% of participants are not practicing telehealth post-restrictions. The primary barrier is the "hands-on" nature of physiotherapy, with many believing it is not practical or appropriate for assessment or treatment. The second major barrier is patient preference for face-to-face contact.
*   **Enablers:** Participants noted improved access to patients and reduced travel as significant enablers. There is also a reported growing familiarity and acceptance of telehealth by the public.
*   **Perceptions:** 70% of respondents are optimistic about the prospects of telehealth, 19% are pessimistic, and 11% are undecided.
*   **Infrastructure Challenges:** Thematic analysis revealed a lack of infrastructure, resources, and funding, specifically citing poor high-speed broadband in rural areas.

## Recommendations and Future Research
The study highlights a gap between the acceptance and limited adaptation of telehealth by physiotherapists post-Covid-19. It recommends:
*   Promoting public awareness through advertising campaigns on television and social media.
*   Further research into complex clinical settings, telehealth compliance, and hybrid healthcare models.
*   Future studies using mixed-method approaches that incorporate both physiotherapist and patient perspectives.

## Publication Details
This article is based on Vivek Bhaskaran’s thesis, *"THE USE OF TELEHEALTH DURING AND AFTER COVID 19 AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN IRELAND"* (2023).

**Full Thesis:** [https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023110728741](https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023110728741)

**Authors:**
*   **Vivek Bhaskaran**, Master of Digital Health (Student)
*   **Liisa Klemola**, Lecturer, PhD, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Unit of Continuous Learning, Kuopio, Finland
*   **Elisa Snicker**, Lecturer, CBC, MSc (Econ and Bus Admin), MSc (Health Sci.), Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Unit of Continuous Learning, Kuopio, Finland