Training activity information
Details
Plan and perform telehealth appointments for routine adult patients
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Patient centred care and support
- Service quality and patient centered care within the role of this technology
- Issues of calibration and testing
- Limitations of the communication medium
- Triage
- Principles of rehabilitation
- Local SOPs, national guidelines and international best practice
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the appropriate types of appointments that can be effectively conducted via telehealth?
- What technology and platforms are used?
- What are the data protection and confidentiality requirements?
- How do you adapt standard assessment and management procedures for a remote setting?
- What are the benefits and challenges of delivering audiology services via telehealth?
- How can you ensure effective communication and build rapport with patients remotely?
- What technical skills will you need to develop?
- Have you reviewed guidelines and protocols for audiology telehealth?
- Have you observed experienced clinicians conducting telehealth appointments?
- Have you familiarised yourself with the relevant technology and troubleshooting procedures?
- What are your expectations and potential concerns about telehealth appointments?
In action
- Focus on the steps you are taking to plan the telehealth appointment (e.g., confirming technology access, sending instructions). During the appointment, what assessment or management procedures are you performing remotely?
- How are you ensuring effective communication despite the lack of in-person interaction?
- What are you doing to maintain patient confidentiality and data security?
- Are you encountering any technical difficulties with the telehealth platform?
- Is it challenging to gather necessary information or perform certain assessments remotely?
- What are you learning about the limitations and possibilities of telehealth in audiology?
- How is the patient responding to the remote consultation?
- If there are technical issues, how are you troubleshooting them?
- If you cannot perform a standard assessment remotely, are you considering alternative approaches or the need for an in-person follow-up?
- Are you adjusting your communication style to ensure clarity over the video or audio connection?
- Are you working within the established protocols for telehealth appointments?
On action
- Reflect on the planning process for the telehealth appointments. What logistical considerations were important (e.g., technology, scheduling)? During the appointments, what assessment or management activities were feasible and effective via telehealth? What were the communication dynamics like compared to in-person appointments? Did you notice any limitations or advantages of this approach?
- What did you learn about planning and conducting audiology appointments remotely? What adaptations to routine procedures were necessary? What communication strategies are particularly important in a telehealth setting? Were there any technical challenges, and how were they addressed? How did the patient(s) seem to perceive the telehealth experience?
- What strategies can you use to enhance the effectiveness of future telehealth appointments? Are there specific types of routine adult patients for whom telehealth might be particularly suitable or unsuitable? What further training or resources might be beneficial for developing your telehealth skills?
Beyond action
- Reflecting on your initial telehealth experiences and considering any subsequent telehealth appointments or discussions about remote service delivery, have you identified any best practices or areas for improvement in this mode of service delivery?
- How has your early experience with telehealth influenced your confidence and skills in using technology to deliver audiological services when appropriate?
- Can you identify specific communication techniques that you have refined for remote consultations?
- Considering the increasing role of telehealth in healthcare, how will your early experience inform your ability to adapt to and potentially lead in the development and delivery of remote audiology services?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Assess and manage hearing function in adults, without co-morbidities. |