Increased role of technology in the delivery of care
Telemedicine, such as mobile or tablet-based apps can be used for self-care and self-reporting, enabling services to be provided by staff not present with the patient.
Telemedicine, such as mobile or tablet-based apps can be used for self-care and self-reporting, enabling services to be provided by staff not present with the patient.
Telehealth can also help improve access for rural and remote communities. Further ahead, individual patient records of communication could help reduce the administrative burden, and allow for better continuity of care, quality and patient experience.
Improved technology will be best taken advantage of following further integration between services and increased multidisciplinary working between professions. This may require a greater sharing of patient records to improve continuity of care.
Size of impact
Level of uncertainty
Proposed workforce impact
- Improved care delivery could lead to a slight reduction in demand.
- SLTs will need to help with the support of the technology (as well as through therapeutic support), and to help train patients in the use of this technology. Therefore aspects of the role of SLTs could change.
- Undergraduate training courses may need to adapt to take into account the shift to a more technology driven method of care.
Sources or references
- http://www.aphasia-software.com/TelehealthandTelemedicine.aspx
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20197354
Additional research questions
- Can technology and telehealth be used in all the sectors SLTs work in?
- Will the use of technology improve clinical outcomes?
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
