The use of online support by people with intellectual disabilities living independently during COVID-19.
M Zaagsma, K M Volkers, E A K Swart and 2 others
PMID 32830390WHAT IT FOUND
Use of an online support service for people with intellectual disabilities spiked immediately after lockdowns began.
Unplanned contacts nearly doubled per user in the first few weeks, likely driven by anxiety and lack of information. Planned contacts rose more slowly and steadily over time.
Key findings
01The number of unplanned contacts per day per existing service user was significantly higher during the COVID-19 period compared to both the pre-pandemic weeks of 2020 and the same period in 2019.
02Planned contacts per day per service user increased significantly compared to 2019, but did not differ significantly from the immediate pre-pandemic weeks of 2020.
03Unplanned contacts increased substantially in weeks 11-12 of 2020, then decreased after week 13, returning to pre-pandemic levels by week 16.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study only analysed the first 20 weeks of the pandemic, so long-term patterns of support use are unknown. Data on onsite support contacts were not included, so it is unclear if the increase in online contacts replaced onsite visits or added to them. The service had been operational since 2014, meaning the rapid response was due to existing infrastructure, which may not be replicable in services without prior remote capabilities. The reasons for contact (e.g., anxiety vs. logistical questions) were not recorded in the administrative data, so interpretations rely on theory rather than direct evidence.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the service provider organisation, Philadelphia Care Foundation, which operates the DigiContact service.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this proves online support is a cost-effective substitute for onsite care. The increase in unplanned contacts likely reflected acute anxiety during lockdown, which subsided after a few weeks. The authors note that online support is best viewed as an addition to onsite services, not a replacement, and the rapid response was only possible because the service was already established.