At no time in our digital history has artificial intelligence (AI) played a more prominent role than during the current global pandemic lockdown. We have Zoom-ed, Amazon-ed, Grub Hub-ed, and carried on with our jobs from our Smartphones and laptops. With no other alternative, we had to adapt to an AI world and have gotten so accustomed to its endless capabilities that we now consider it our ‘new norm’. One of the most vital AI developments has been Telehealth systems that allow us to continue our medical care without going to a healthcare facility. This system includes physical, occupational, and speech (PT/OT/ST) sessions with our therapists via telehealth apps and websites.
During these past months, we have had to forego many activities of our social lives, work, regular exercise routines, and in-person therapy appointments. While there are many options via social media, YouTube, and other streaming systems to exercise at home, being able to work one-on-one with a preferred therapist has provided an entirely new avenue. It allows us to continue our recovery and training while remaining safe at home.
Only a few years ago, it would have seemed unusual for us to ‘go to the doctor’ via telehealth. Today, especially in the COVID age, telemedicine is the standard rather than the exception. And while it may take a few sessions to get used to this new means of care, the ability to continue contact-less therapy away from public interactions is well worth the effort.
Like any other telehealth service, the patient or caregiver installs an app on a mobile device or accesses a given website via a computer or laptop. And like in-person clinics, appointments are scheduled with the therapist. At the appointed time, the patient and therapist meet online, and the session begins. During the online appointment, the therapist will review the patient’s status and the recommended exercises. The therapist may also partner with a patient’s caregiver if there is one, to provide some hands-on assistance. Using the AI features of the service, a therapist can measure and assess progress. Therapists and the patient (and caregiver) can both see each other and converse during the session. And the same as an in-office visit, the therapist can demonstrate a new exercise or go over an existing one. They can observe the person as they perform the repetitions, and provide encouragement, corrections, or changes as needed. One of the advanced features of teletherapy is that therapists are also able to accurately measure and record notes such as reduced/increased range of motion, stamina, balance, fatigue, etc. through its technology. Unlike in-person sessions where there may be other patients in the gym at the same time, the online session provides a one-on-one experience, unless part of a planned group session.
Ultimately, we can quickly become spoiled by the ease and effectiveness of this telehealth method and wish to continue it long after the current health situation. While in-person therapy will always remain, it may no longer be a necessity now that there are telemedicine options. Post-operative patients can stay in the comfort of their home, yet have the therapy needed to get them on the road to recovery. Those patients with limited mobility, or under the influence of certain prescribed medicines, will no longer have to contend with the travel issues. Long gaps between appointments because of wintery weather, lack of transportation, childcare, or work-related challenges can be reduced so that patients can ‘see’ their therapist more regularly. Many therapists will also provide instructional videos to help the individual continue their recommended exercises between sessions. Administrative processes, payment methods, and insurances can be pre-arranged and stored on the app to provide an even smoother experience. In most cases, prescribed telehealth/teletherapy sessions are covered by Medicare and most major health insurance providers.
Furthermore, the telehealth therapists report back to the patient’s primary physician just as they do with in-person sessions. They can forward records from the sessions as well and give an evaluation of the individual’s progress.
The benefits of using artificial intelligence healthcare options are many. Both long-term and short-term plans of care are possible.
