Abstract
Rationale: Difficulty accessing specialist rehabilitation services, and inequity in who receives it are longstanding, systemic and unjust features of the New Zealand health system. Māori and Pacific are more frequently excluded. Highly specialist areas of rehabilitation, such as complex wheelchair and seating assessment require postgraduate training and extensive experience to develop competence. While system redesign is needed, telehealth can improve access and equity for complex assessments yet a lack of confidence and sense of competence among health professionals is a substantial barrier to its use.
Aim: To provide participants with the experience and information about telehealth for physical assessment, enabling them to make more informed decisions about when it could improve access to specialist services.
Method: A brief summary of evidence of the use of telehealth for complex physical assessment will be shared, including its limitations, and in relation to Māori. Participants will be guided through a seating assessment via telehealth, including handling of technology. Through group discussions participants will explore their personal action plan for optimising their use of telehealth.
Learner Outcomes:
• experience telehealth seating assessment in the role as an onsite assistant and wheelchair user, directed by a specialist assessor examine the barriers and facilitators of telehealth in their local settings and develop an action plan for successful use of telehealth.
• reflect on the potential for telehealth in their work.
• Gain confidence and competence in undertaking telehealth and improving equitable access to rehabilitation with safe opportunities to practice.