Case Studies in Physical Therapy: Transitioning a "Hands-On" Approach into a Virtual Platform

Authors

  • Aideen Turner Virtual Physical Therapists

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2018.6253

Abstract

Technology is expanding at an unprecedented rate. Because patients value the speed and convenience of the internet, there is an increasing demand for telemedicine.  Practitioners must therefore adapt their clinical skills to evolving online technologies. This paper presents a series of three case studies in which a physical therapist first assessed and treated musculoskeletal disorders via a live, secure video. The basis of the mechanical assessment was observation of movement rather than palpation. In each case, the virtual mechanical assessment identified a specific sub-classification with a directional preference.  All patients reported improvements in symptoms and function in less than four visits and all maintained a reduction in symptoms after three months. Given the “hands-off” role of the evaluator, this approach can become an effective tool in the evolving healthcare platform of telerehabilitation.

 

  

References

Abady, R. O. (2014). Inter-examiner reliability of diplomats in the mechanical diagnosis and therapy system in assessing patients with shoulder pain. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 22,199-205.

American Telemedicine Association. (2018, January 6). What is Telemedicine? Retrieved from http://www.americantelemed.org/main/about/about-telemedicine/telemedicine-faqs

AmericanWell. (2017). TeleHealth Index: 2017 Consumer Survey. Retrieved from http://go.americanwell.com/rs/335-QLG-882/images/American_Well_Telehealth_Index_2017_Consumer_Survey.pdf

BCBS. (2018). Telehealth. Retrieved from https://www.bluecrossnc.com/sites/default/files/document/attachment/services/public/pdfs/medicalpolicy/telehealth.pdf#search=telehealth%20Telehealth

Cigna. (2016, September). Telehealth. Retrieved from https://www.cigna.com/assets/docs/individual-and-families/2017/medical/898764-cigna-telehealth-connection-flyer.pdf

Clare, A. M. (2005). Reliability of McKenzie classification of patients with cervical or lumbar pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 28,122-127.

Deloitte Development LLC. (2016). What Matters Most to the Healthcare Consumer. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/life-sciences-health-care/us-lshc-cx-survey-pov-provider-paper.pdf

Fritz, D. V. (2000). Interrater reliability of judgements of the centralization phenomenon and status change during movement testing in patients with low back pain, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 81(1), 57-61.

Kilpikoski, A. K. (2002). Interexaminer reliability of low back pain assessment using the McKenzie method. Spine, 27, 207-214.

Landi, H. (2018, April 2). News. Retrieved from https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/telemedicine/report-telehealth-market-estimated-reach-195b-2025

Managed Healthcare Executive. (2015, May 15). Technology. Retrieved from http://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/managed-healthcare-executive/news/unitedhealthcare-expanding-telemedicine-reach-20-million-members

May, R. (2009). The McKenzie classification system in extremities: a reliability study using McKenzie assessment forms and experienced clinicians. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 32, 556-563.

McKenzie Institute International. (2018). About Us. Retrieved from http://www.mckenzieinstitute.org/:

McKenzie, M. (2003). The human extremities: Mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Wellington, New Zealand: Spinal Publications.

McKenzie, R. (1981). The lumbar spine: Mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Wellington, New Zealand: Spinal Publications.

McKenzie, R. (1990). Mechanical diagnosis and therapy of the cervical and thoracic spine. Waikanae, New Zealand: Spinal Publications.

Medicaid. (2017, January 13). Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/telemed/index.html

Rajda, M. M. (2017, January 30). News & analysis. Retrieved from https://news.aetna.com/2015/08/four-ways-telemedicine-will-open-a-whole-new-world-of-health-care/

Razmjou, K. Y. (2000). Intertester reliability of the McKenzie evaluation in assessing patients with mechanical low-back pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 30, 368-389.

Reardon, M. (2018, January 8). News. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/news/trump-pushes-for-more-broadband-in-rural-areas/

Takasaki, O. R. (2017). Inter-examiner classification reliability of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for extremity problems - Systematic review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 27, 78-84.

UnitedHealthcare. (2017, January 13). Telemedicine. Retrieved from https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/UnitedHealthcare%20Medicare%20Coverage/Telehealth_and_Telemedicine_UHCMA_CS.pdf.

Willis, R. R. (2017). Inter-rater reliability of the McKenzie System of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in the examination of the knee. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 25(2), 83-90

Published

2018-08-03

How to Cite

Turner, A. (2018). Case Studies in Physical Therapy: Transitioning a "Hands-On" Approach into a Virtual Platform. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 10(1), 37–50. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2018.6253

Issue

Section

Case Studies