Telehealth is now at the point where an entire teletherapy session is provided through a virtual platform. With this growing popularity, everyone needs to know what to expect at a teletherapy session. This type of healthcare may be problematic for some patients, especially those unfamiliar with technology.

A summary of telehealth technology

Telehealth can come in different forms. As a whole, it refers to any type or portion of medical care provided through technology. It can come in the form of patients watching videos of exercises they are to complete at home.

DiagnoStar uses secure computer programs to exchange text messages/emails with patients to increase commitment to home recommendations. One of the most common uses of DiagnoStar that most people are unaware of is an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system.

These technologies have their nuances; however, they all make the job of a health professional easier. More importantly, all forms of telehealth have a common goal of ensuring equal access to health resources.

3 types of teletherapy

Types of teletherapy include:

• Physical therapy has started expanding the number of orthopaedic teletherapy services they provide. This includes treatment of muscle sprains, joint replacements, fractures, and more.
• Speech therapy has entered the teletherapy sector in the form of pediatric services, mainly through the school system and home-based services.
• Occupational therapy has begun serving the teletherapy arena in settings such as outpatient mental health, home health, and school-based pediatric rehab.

General rules for a good teletherapy session

There are some general rules to keep in mind related to any teletherapy session.

Ask questions

Whether it is your first or 15th teletherapy session, asking questions will be the best way to get more comfortable with the process. Asking questions is a practice that is encouraged both before, during, and after the session. This will help clarify expectations related to this type of care and summarize the basics of therapy unrelated to teletherapy. 

Use a distraction-free environment

It is equally important for both therapist and patient to stay in a quiet room with little outside stimulus during a teletherapy session. This will not only help each party to stay focused on the therapy, but a lack of distractions will also help the technology perform at its best. 

Keep a pen and pad nearby

Just because your therapy session is taking place using some top-notch technology, this doesn’t mean you need to scrap all the original ways of note-taking. It helps to keep a pen and some paper handy so you can jot down recommendations you may need to remember for later, your next appointment time, answers to questions you ask, and more. 

Have a good pair of headphones

Most teletherapy sessions require patients to use headphones to cut down on distracting background noise. This helps both parties to hear each other better, which makes the environment more comfortable for patients to participate and disclose whatever is necessary for the process.

Advocate for yourself

Last, but certainly not least, is advocating for yourself. Therapists undergo lengthy training to improve their abilities to advocate for patients as needed. While this will always be part of a therapist’s role in improving function, patients must participate in the advocacy movement as well. Patients advocating for themselves will include asking questions along the way, clarifying their own needs, asserting their right to fair and secure treatment, and more.

Teletherapy is a terrific resource for any patient to increase access to health services while improving their use of technology. Visit DiagnoStar to set up an account to access premium telehealth services.