Use and Perceptions of Telehealth by Pediatric Occupational Therapists Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Alissa R. Baker Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8557-4032
  • Erin R. Barents OTD Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
  • Anna G. Cole OTD Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
  • Alyssa L. Klaver OTD Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
  • Kathie Van Kampen OTD Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
  • Lucile M. Webb OTD Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
  • Kallen A. Wolfer OTD Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6655

Keywords:

Occupational therapy, post-COVID-19, Rationale, Survey, Telehealth

Abstract

Telehealth was widely adopted in pediatric occupational therapy practice during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, there is limited knowledge on telehealth use post-pandemic. This study collected 132 responses to a mixed-methods survey from March-October 2023 to explore pediatric occupational therapists’ current use and perceptions on telehealth. Results indicated that over half of respondents continue to use telehealth. Frequency of use was differentiated by setting, with a significantly lower proportion of school-based respondents using telehealth compared to outpatient (p<.001) or early intervention (p<.001). The median rate of use was low with 10% of services delivered via telehealth. Respondents view telehealth as moderately effective and satisfactory. Rationale for use of telehealth included parent coaching, access to the natural environment, caregiver involvement, travel convenience, and to accommodate family illness. Challenges included lack of child engagement, limited parent involvement, and regulatory barriers.

  

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Published

2025-01-15

How to Cite

Baker, A. R., Barents, E. R., Cole, A. G., Klaver, A. L., Van Kampen, K., Webb, L. M., & Wolfer, K. A. (2025). Use and Perceptions of Telehealth by Pediatric Occupational Therapists Post COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6655

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Occupational Therapy Telehealth

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Copyright (c) 2025 Alissa B. Baker, Erin R. Barents, Anna G. Cole, Alyssa L. Klaver, Kathie Van Kampen, Lucile M. Webb, Kallen A. Wolfer

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