Research into telehealth applications in speech-language pathology.
A literature review was conducted to investigate the extent to which telehealth has been researched within the domain of speech-language pathology and the outcomes of this research. A total of 13 studies were identified. Three early studies demonstrated that telehealth was feasible, although there was no discussion of the cost-effectiveness of this process in terms of patient outcomes. The majority of the subsequent studies indicated positive or encouraging outcomes resulting from telehealth. However, there were a number of shortcomings in the research, including a lack of cost benefit information, failure to evaluate the technology itself, an absence of studies of the educational and informational aspects of telehealth in relation to speech-language pathology, and the use of telehealth in a limited range of communication disorders. Future research into the application of telehealth to speech-language pathology services must adopt a scientific approach, and have a well defined development and evaluation framework that addresses the effectiveness of the technique, patient outcomes and satisfaction, and the cost benefit relationship.
Hill
Anne
A
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. a.hill@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Theodoros
Deborah
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D012106:Research; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*