Mr Chris Leung1
1SA Health, Bedford Park, Australia
Abstract:
The evidence supporting the effectiveness of rehabilitation provided via telehealth is growing nationally and internationally. SA Health made a commitment in 2017 to embed telehealth in rehabilitation (telerehabilitation) across public health services in South Australia, investing significantly in new roles and technology. Consumers are now able to loan SA Health iPads, or use their own technology, to enhance their rehabilitation program in their home environment.
Consumers are able to connect with the entire rehabilitation team for consultations, assessments and therapy as well as utilising the technology to engage with extra goal-oriented activities. Relevant technology is able to be introduced early in the consumer journey and can also assist with maintenance of therapy programs across care settings. Using a free videoconference platform at the consumer end also enables consumers to use their own technology where preferred, and linking this with a secure product at the clinician end of the call supports maintenance of a secure, confidential connection.
SA Health are aware that telehealth is most successful when there is timely ‘at the elbow’ support for problem solving technical challenges and supporting clinicians and consumers with understanding and accessing the technology. By investing significantly in local support positions for each local health network, as well as central leadership positions, telerehabilitation activity is quickly growing across SA.
This presentation focuses on sharing the voices of SA Health consumers and clinicians who have been part of this complex and successful change journey.
Biography:
Chris works for SA Health, as the Statewide Telerehabilitation Clinical Lead – Allied Health. Over the last 12 years, he has enjoyed various roles in clinical physiotherapy and allied health clinical governance, from metropolitan to country and rural services across SA and the NT. His clinical passions lie in serving the community as a general ruralist physiotherapist and in promoting greater access to quality services for rural and remote Australians. In his current role, Chris is proud to be serving as a bridge between ICT and clinical care, and to be planning, implementing and promoting statewide initiatives through technology.
