Qualitative exploration of physical therapists' experiences providing telehealth physical therapy during COVID-19.
Neta Roitenberg, Noa Ben-Ami
PMID 37343401WHAT IT FOUND
Therapists struggled to assess without touch and relied on verbal instruction.
They found telehealth effective for staying connected and treating children in their homes, but less suitable for elderly patients with digital barriers or those expecting manual therapy.
Key findings
01Participants reported difficulty with diagnosis and treatment due to the inability to use manual techniques, dry needling, or taping, leading to a reliance on verbal skills.
02Telehealth was perceived as less effective for elderly patients due to technological barriers and for patients who specifically sought hands-on physical touch for pain relief.
03Child development therapists reported positive outcomes from treating children in their natural home environment, which allowed them to observe and intervene in ways not possible in the clinic.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 17 participants from Israel, limiting generalizability to other cultural or healthcare contexts. Snowball sampling may have introduced bias by recruiting participants from similar professional networks. Findings are based on self-reported experiences and perceptions, not objective measures of patient outcomes or treatment efficacy. The study did not include patients' perspectives, focusing solely on the therapists' views.
Declared interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that telehealth is clinically inferior or superior to in-person care. The study reports therapists' subjective experiences and perceived barriers, not patient outcomes or effectiveness.