The Implementation of Telepractice in Speech Language Pathology in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the accelerated emergence of telepractice in speech language pathology during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Hong Kong-a small city with limited accessibility concern that telepractice has not been widely implemented. Method: An online survey of speech therapists in Hong Kong was conducted between February and March in 2020. The survey comprised up to 15 questions to assess participants' demographics, existing service delivery in telepractice, perception, and their training and knowledge on telepractice. Results: One hundred thirty-five speech (n = 135) speech language pathologists responded to the survey. About one-third (34.8%; n = 47) of participants reported having provided services through telepractice, whereas 72.3% of them started in <3 months and half of them considered it was less effective than face-to-face service. Among the other participants (n = 88), 83% of them indicated that unsuitable patient type and age as the main reason for not providing telepractice. The majority of participants had no prior training for delivering telepractice, and focused on technology when asked about their desired training. Knowledge of participants on telepractice was found only to align fairly with international guidelines. Discussions: The survey findings suggested that telepractice provision in Hong Kong was different from that of other countries where telepractice has been well established, due to the accelerated emergence by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The study showed how the development of telepractice would be like in a short time frame, and findings on perception and desired training could be a reference for a better establishment of this model of service.

Parents’ and Students’ Perceptions of Telepractice Services for Speech-Language Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study

“…Additionally, telepractice has been deemed valid and effective by different professional organizations [10,11]. With the COVID-19 pandemic seriously disrupting the provision of speech and language therapy services, telepractice services have been increasingly adopted and regarded as the best option for delivering speech and language therapy during the pandemic [12,13].…”

“…Despite the increasing adoption of telepractice in schools, various stakeholders have held different beliefs about telepractice. Although several surveys have shown that school-based speech-language pathologists doubt the efficacy of telepractice, others have revealed a positive attitude after using telepractice services [12,14,15]. However, parents' and children's perceptions of telepractice are not well understood.…”

“…These factors may lower people's acceptance of school-based telepractice services [17]. Given the high rate of telepractice adoption in school settings during the pandemic [12,13], a survey study on parents' and students' satisfaction with telepractice could reveal the perceived efficacy of these services.…”

Perception of Korean Speech-Language Pathologists on Telepractice Service

“…https://doi.org/10.12963/csd.20776 988 https://www.e-csd.org Na Yeon Kim, et al • Korean SLPs' Perception on Telepractice 게 엄청난 가능성을 열어줄 긍정적인 치료서비스임을 입증해 왔다 (Fong et al, 2020;Mashima et al, 2003;Tohidast, Mansuri, Bagheri, & Azimi, 2020). 구체적으로는 자폐스펙트럼장애, 언어발달장 애, 유창성장애, 말소리장애, 신경의사소통장애, 연하장애 등 다양 한 의사소통장애 유형에서 그 효과가 보고되었다 (Carey et al, 2010;Coufal, Parham, Jakubowitz, Howell, Reyes, 2018;Grogan-Johnson, Alvares, Rowan, & Creaghead, 2010;Grogan-Johnson et al, 2011;Lewis, Packman, Onslow, Simpson, & Jones, 2008;Morrell et al, 2017;Pullins & Grogan-Johnson, 2017;Weidner & Lowman, 2020).…”

Orofacial Movement: past, present and future

“…Los servicios de salud en el mundo debieron rápidamente implementar protocolos clínicos para la atención y rehabilitación de usuarios afectados por COVID-19 y, el fonoaudiólogo está teniendo un rol muy importante en la rehabilitación de secuelas post intubación en la deglución y motricidad orofacial. Paralelamente, las atenciones clínicas debieron ser reformuladas, existiendo reportes de telepráctica en fonoaudiología (Fong et al, 2020;Pamplona & Ysunza, 2020).…”