JCPSLP
Volume 16, Number 3 2014
151
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M., & Packman, A. (2010). Randomized controlled non-
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Position%20Paper.pdf
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A comparison of rural speech-language pathologists’ and
residents’ access to and attitudes towards the use of
technology for speech-language pathology service delivery.
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use of telehealth in speech-language pathology across
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Russell, T. (2013). Assessing dysphagia via telerehabilitation:
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effectiveness or efficiency because of the additional time
required for planning, set up and potential technical issues.
Like the Hill and Miller, this study also confirmed that
insufficient information and training are significant barriers
for both users and non-users of telehealth. To address
this, practising SLPs should be made aware of existing
resources such as the
Telehealth Technical Standards
(DoHA, 2012), “A Blueprint for Telerehabilitation Guidelines”
(Brennan et al., 2010) and the upcoming publication of
the SPA Telepractice Position Statement. Additionally,
the curricula of SLP teaching institutions should expose
students to the evidence regarding telehealth-delivered
SLP services and prepare them to deliver such services.
This exposure should occur both in academic subjects and
via clinical placements. The extent to which this already
happens in Australia is yet to be formally established.
Finally, telehealth policy review and development is
urgently needed across all sectors. To date very little
promotion of funding options by private health insurers and
federal government initiatives has occurred. Establishing
and disseminating the policy guidelines for all funding
bodies is essential. Furthermore, the continued lobbying of
Medicare to expand current telehealth rebates to include
allied health services is warranted.
Limitations and future research
This paper reports findings from a small sample of SLPs,
most of whom were from a government health service in
one state. Several states were not represented and no
participants worked in the education sector (perhaps due to
the use of the “health-centric” term telehealth rather than
telepractice). Caution should therefore be exercised in
making generalisations from these findings. Future research
should include a larger, more representative sample. This
could be achieved with a quantitative approach utilising a
questionnaire based on the major themes identified in this
study. Research is also needed to establish the impact of
education, training and policy development on the uptake
of telehealth in the profession.
Conclusion
The findings of this study are clinically relevant given a
disparity between the National eHealth Strategy (Deloitte,
2008) and the willingness of many SLPs to embrace
telehealth (DoHA, 2011; Hill & Miller, 2012). Despite
evidence supporting the benefits of utilising teleheath in
SLP including increased efficiency and improved access
(Mashima & Doarn, 2008; Reynolds et al., 2009), changes
must occur if the true potential is to be realised. Addressing
clinician attitudes and perceptions, providing suitable
education and training and reducing organisational barriers
could result in a greater uptake of telehealth, and
consequently, much needed increases in access, efficiency
and cost effectiveness of SLP services.
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
(2005).
Speech-language pathologists providing clinical
services via telepractice: Position statement
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www.asha.org/policy
Boisvert, M., Hall, N., Andrianopolous, M., & Chaclas,
J. (2012). The multifaceted implementation of telepractice
to service individuals with autism.
International Journal of
Telerehabilitation
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4
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Brennan, D., Tindall, L., Theodoros, D., Brown, J.,
Campbell, M., Christiana, D. … Lee, A. (2010). A blueprint
for telerehabilitation guidelines.
International Journal of
Telerehabilitation
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2
(2), 31–34.
Jodie May
is a speech pathologist specialising in early childhood
intervention.
Shane Erickson
is a speech pathologist, lecturer
and researcher at La Trobe University.
Correspondence to:
Dr Shane Erickson
Department of Human Communication Sciences
La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086
phone: (03) 9479 1838
email:
