Online Video & Remote Physiotherapy Consultations

Hello and welcome back to the ThreeSpires Physiotherapy blog where we take a look at all things physiotherapy and health related. Now, unless you have been living in a cave in a remote region of the Himalayas you will be aware that we are in the midst of the Corona Virus and are currently (it may be different when you read this) experiencing full lock down which means most businesses are shut and we need to practice social distancing and some people (more vulnerable people and those over 70) need to self-isolate. As one might imagine this presents challenges for providing physiotherapy to patients either new patients with new problems or those who were receiving physiotherapy prior to the outbreak. At present the advice we have (again this may have changed by the time you read this blog) is that we currently can not see patients face to face and as such we have been attempting to think of ways in which we can help our patients stay fit, pain free, healthy and keep their levels of mobility but still not risk virus transmission. As such we have decided that we will offer remote online, video consultations and physiotherapy assessments for patients for all forms of physiotherapy including elderly rehabilitation, paediatrics and musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain.  A remote on line video physiotherapy assessment offers the potential to take a full history of what has been happening, look through past medical history and conduct via video a physical assessment which should be able to provide either a diagnosis or a good idea of what the problem areas are and what should be done. It also enables us to keep in touch with current patients and monitor their progress. All of this can happen without the risk of infection…

 

How Can I arrange an Online Video Physiotherapy Session?

I understand that many people will be reading this blog and dreading the idea of a video call because it will require an enormous amount of complicated and unreliable technology. Well, in the past you may have been right and I too would have been extremely sceptical about it working but nowadays it really is very easy and reliable to use and even a technophobe like myself can get the video call to work. To set up the assessment is very easy: firstly, simply send an email with a short description of your request at which point we will then send you an email (or call if needed) to arrange a convenient time for your assessment or if you are a current patient your follow up session). Before the session we will send an email with instructions detailing how to access the video conferencing software needed for the remote physiotherapy assessment.

 

What will the Online Video Physiotherapy Session be like?

Obviously, each session with each patient will be different and you can find more specific descriptions of sessions for a particular type of physiotherapy issue please click on the links below:

1. Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
2. Elderly Rehabilitation & Mobility
3. Paediatric Physiotherapy
4. Neurological Physiotherapy
5. Orthopaedic Physiotherapy

However, without delving too deeply into the specifics of each type of physiotherapy session and what will happen there are some things that each session is likely to have in common in terms of set up and structure:

The session will be 1hr in length – this seems quite a lengthy period for a video call but as with any initial assessment there is actually quite a lot to get through and discuss and believe me the time will fly. The online video physiotherapy session will begin with a discussion an introduction to find out what it is our physiotherapist can help with, what the symptoms are and what you would like to achieve and potentially what you would like to understand about the issues involved. The physiotherapist via video call will then run through a past medical history and any other questions needed such as any medication you might be taking and your current home routine such as exercise and work, if you have any relevant medical information or documentation it would be extremely helpful if you have this to hand at the time.

Then a physical assessment will happen during which the physio will ask you to perform a series of tests, exercises and movements to check strength, range of motion and pain etc. During this part of the assessment you will need to have your phone, iPad or laptop pointed at yourself securely so that the physiotherapist can see what you are doing. This will probably be the trickiest part of the assessment to do via video call as when doing an assessment in person your physio will usually move around and have a look at you doing these things from various directions and viewpoints. So, I would very much suggest that before the assessment you have a think about where it would be best to place the laptop or tablet etc that will give the best and clearest view.

 After this part, the physio will then discuss what they have found, any diagnosis they may be making and general prognosis or if needed they may ask some further questions and ask you to run through a few more tests.  After this discussion they will then move onto looking at how best to manage things and what to do next. As such they will look at a plan of management including exercises, dos and don’ts and things that you can do to help yourself. They will finally book in any follow up video consultations necessary.

As an online video physiotherapy assessment is likely to be a new experience for most people, I have compiled a list of FAQs below and some general guidance. Hopefully this will help but if there is anything else you would like to know about the online physiotherapy assessment please get in touch and we will be more than happy to have a chat.

 

Do I Need to Prepare Anything for my Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment?

Well, this depends upon how tech savvy you are. If you have been using remote video conferencing software a lot recently then in reality you won’t need to prepare anything. Simply follow the instructions sent over by email and be online at the meeting time. However, if (like me) you generally don’t get on with technology then I would recommend that you load the software up in advance and have a check that you can get it working. Also I would also recommend that you have a think about where your tablet or laptop can be positioned. You will want initially to be sat down somewhere with the device pointing at your face but later on your physio will want to see you doing some things and so it is likely that you will need to find a place where the laptop or tablet can be rested and they can see you doing your exercises.

Who is an Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment Suitable for?

Well in reality the remote video physiotherapy assessment could be useful for most people at present due to the current lockdown. However, it is likely to be especially helpful if you are currently self-isolating because you are in a high risk category for Corona Virus . It can also be useful if someone in your family is in a high risk category and you are attempting to minimise the risk of infection from Corona Virus.

Will an Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment Be as Good as In Person?

Clearly in most situations an online video physiotherapy session will not be as good as being there in person with a patient. However, it can still be effective and provide help in assessing, diagnosing and managing any conditions or difficulties. Yes, I agree in all regards as a physio I would much rather be able to be there and physically assess, touch, feel and move my own position and that of my patients but currently that is not possible and as such there is a clear benefit to having an online video physiotherapy assessment.

Can I Have Someone There with Me During the Online Video Physiotherapy Session?

Yes, of course! This will absolutely not be a problem for us and in fact it may well be helpful to have someone there to hold the tablet and also for an extra set of ears when talking things through with the physiotherapist. For some patients e.g. more elderly patients with mobility problems I would generally advise strongly that there is someone else around.

Will you be Able to Diagnose my Problem?

This is clearly going to be one of the main reasons that anybody wants to have physiotherapy via video call at the moment and many people will be concerned with knowing what is causing their problems and what they can do about it. Our physiotherapist in the video call will do their best to give you a clear diagnosis and a good understanding of what they believe to be happening (we always do this in person as well!). They will endeavour to be honest about what they can see and their thinking process so that you have a good awareness of what the issues are. They will also try to give you a detailed idea of what you should be doing and how best to manage things until you can see someone in person. If at any point they have concerns or worries about your symptoms they will refer you onwards or book a face to face consultation.

What Equipment Will I Need for The Remote Physiotherapy Assessment?

You really don’t need much for your video physiotherapy assessment. You simply need an electronic device that has a camera and a screen and that can be pointed easily to where you are. This can be your phone, a tablet or a laptop. Then you simply need a living room with sufficient space to stand and move around in. If you have any pieces of equipment such as a set of weights, stretchy resistance bands or yoga mat that would be brilliant but is not essential.

Will You Be Recording the Remote Video Physiotherapy Assessment?

The simple answer is no. We will be making our usual clinical notes but we will not be recording the video session itself as we do not want to store images of you or any family members without permission.

How Will I be Able to Know What Exercises and Stretches I should Do?

At the end of the remote video physiotherapy assessment our physiotherapist will be able to email you a comprehensive series of exercises and a plan of exercises. If you have any problems understanding these you can always get in touch and we will be happy to run through them. Your physio will as part of the session had you doing them anyway so you should be able to do them straight away once you have them.

Will I Need More Than One Session?

This is difficult to be certain and will depend upon what it is that we are helping with. However, if you have been given a programme of exercises and advice to follow we will definitely be wanting to check in with you to review progress and make adjustments to your exercises etc.

How Long Will a Follow Up Remote Video Physiotherapy Session Take?

Usually this will be 30 minutes but your physiotherapist will advise you on what length of time they consider to be most appropriate. If your case is particularly complex then they may wish to book you in for an hour follow up.

Can I Have a Session in Person After an Online Video Physiotherapy Session?

Yes of course! Once you feel that it would be safe and advisable to have a physical session with one of our physiotherapists then this can easily be arranged.

I hope that you have found this blog about online video physiotherapy sessions useful and informative. If you or someone you know needs physiotherapy but is unable to see a physio in person then please get in touch and we will be very happy to arrange an online video physiotherapy session.