Making Virtual Rehab Work For You
Some people may still be on the fence about virtual athletic therapy, even knowing it can be just as effective as in-person care. While virtual care has its limitations, there are simple ways we can address them and make the experience more personal, effective, and rewarding.
The virtual element
It is understandable that some patients feel more comfortable talking about their pain and injuries face-to-face with a practitioner as there is that physical interaction. Talking through a computer screen may feel distant, cold, and ineffective at first, but they get easier with consistency and practice. It is still possible to build trust and alliance through a screen, and this can be done with clear communication and open conversation. As well, making sure you are in a well-lit and open space and in comfortable clothing to move can help the session feel more natural. The first session might feel awkward, but by the second or third, it starts to feel familiar.
No hands-on assessment
There is no denying that physical touch is an important part of in-person rehab as touch can have many direct and indirect benefits during assessment and treatment. But much of what we learn through hands-on testing can still be gathered virtually. Guided movement tests and a clear history provide just as much insight into your pain and limitations. Many of the traditional “special tests” used in clinics don’t always have great accuracy anyway, so what really matters is understanding how you move and what you feel. A lot of valuable information can be gathered through an open and honest conversation to make an accurate assessment.
No hands-on treatment
Much like assessment, physical touch and rehab treatments are thought of going hand in hand (no pun intended). Patients expect, when coming into a treatment session, to be massaged, rubbed, stretched, or cued through exercises. They often expect something to be done to them, whereas virtual care focuses on what they can do. Without the physical interaction, the treatment shifts to self-management strategies and exercises for the patient to do on their own for long-term improvement.
Technology isn’t always perfect
Technology has a habit of acting up at the worst times. Some simple steps prior to the appointment to ensure an enjoyable experience include making sure you have an adequate internet connection and that your device’s speakers and microphone work can help ensure the call quality is optimal. There will also be a plan in place with instructions prior to the appointment should the session be interrupted.
Not suitable for every condition
Some conditions will always benefit more from in-person care, but others can be managed surprisingly well online. In the study (Lawford et al., 2018), some participants noted being skeptical at first of receiving care for their knee osteoarthritis via telephone appointments, but later embraced it. Others (Fraser et al., 2019) thought themselves unsuitable for virtual care but were still willing to try. This is to say that there is no harm in setting up a consultation to ask questions about your suitability for virtual care.
Perception of Inferiority
Overall, many patients may feel that virtual care is inferior to in-person due to the lack of physical interaction and hands-on contact. They may feel that education, advice, reassurance, and exercise prescription are not enough. A shift in mindset and embracing self-management may be needed, but this is not easy to overcome and will take time. It is important to remember that the quality of care isn’t defined by the format, but by the communication, planning, and consistency of a rehab treatment.
Some people will always prefer in-person care — and that’s completely fine. Virtual care isn’t here to replace it, but to make rehab more accessible, flexible, and practical. What matters most is that you find a therapist you trust and a plan that fits your life. If you’ve felt stuck with in-person appointments, virtual care might be the change that helps you move forward.
References:
Fraser C, Beasley M, Macfarlane G, Lovell K. Telephone cognitive behavioural therapy to prevent the development of chronic widespread pain: a qualitative study of patient perspectives and treatment acceptability. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019; 20 (1):198-1008. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2584-2.
Lawford BJ, Delany C, Bennell KL, Hinman RS. "I was really sceptical...But it worked really well": a qualitative study of patient perceptions of telephone-delivered exercise therapy by physiotherapists for people with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018; 26 (6):741-750. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2018.02.909.
