Describe the population receiving orthotic/prosthetic services using telehealth in Australia, and their experience and satisfaction: a quantitative and qualitative investigation

Abstract

Purpose: Telehealth may help meet the growing demand for orthotic/prosthetic services. Despite the resurgence of telehealth due to COVID-19, there is limited evidence to inform policy and funding decisions, nor guide practitioners. Methods: Participants were adult orthosis/prosthesis users or parents/guardians of child orthosis/prosthesis users. Participants were convenience sampled following an orthotic/prosthetic telehealth service. An online survey included: demographics, Telehealth Usability Questionnaire, and the Orthotic Prosthetic Users Survey–Client Satisfaction with Services. A subsample of participants took part in a semi-structured interview. Results: Most participants were tertiary educated, middle-aged, female, and lived in metropolitan or regional centres. Most telehealth services were for routine reviews. Most participants chose to use telehealth given the distance to the orthotic/prosthetic service, irrespective of whether they lived in metropolitan cities or regional areas. Participants were highly satisfied with the telehealth mode and the clinical service they received via telehealth. Conclusions: While orthosis/prosthesis users were highly satisfied with the clinical service received, and the telehealth mode, technical issues affected reliability and detracted from the user experience. Interviews highlighted the importance of high-quality interpersonal communication, agency and control over the decision to use telehealth, and a degree of health literacy from a lived experience of using an orthosis/prosthesis.