Video Telehealth Occupational Therapy Services for Older Veterans: National Survey Study.
Megan E Gately, Linda Tickle-Degnen, Deborah J Voydetich and 3 others
PMID 33904825WHAT IT FOUND
Most surveyed VA occupational therapists had not used video telehealth with older veterans.
Those who did reported better access to care but faced significant barriers like inadequate physical space. Clinician attitude was a stronger driver of use than institutional support.
Key findings
01Only 41.0% of surveyed occupational therapists used video telehealth with older veterans.
02Inadequate space and physical locations were the most frequently reported barrier to using video telehealth.
03Clinicians were more comfortable using video telehealth for activities of daily living and home safety than for sensory, cognitive, or leisure interventions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The survey was conducted before the widespread adoption of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, so current practices may differ. The response rate was 21.0%, introducing potential nonrespondent bias. The study did not ask about specific attitudinal barriers such as privacy concerns or perceived clinical limitations. It is unclear whether video telehealth sessions were conducted into the patient's home or between clinical sites.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the higher comfort ratings for specific interventions as evidence that video telehealth is clinically equivalent to in-person care for those tasks. The survey measured practitioner perception, not patient outcomes or clinical efficacy.