Online Video & Remote Paediatric Physiotherapy Assessments

Many of the children that our paediatric physiotherapist helps are in a high-risk group for Corona Virus and therefore at present are unable to receive the regular physiotherapy that they need. We have also been contacted by parents with children with recent diagnoses that need physiotherapy but these are also in high risk categories for Covid-19. So, in an effort to help we have been working on ways in which we can still assess our young patients and enable their parents to manage their conditions as best as they can without a paediatric physiotherapist being physically there.. As such we have decided that we will offer remote online, video consultations and physiotherapy assessments for children needing paediatric physiotherapy.

A remote on line video physiotherapy assessment allows our paediatric physiotherapist to take a full history of what has been happening, look through past medical history and conduct via video a physical assessment which can provide information regarding weaknesses, strengths, any problems and what it is best to do. They can also safely prescribe the best exercises and prepare a plan of management to enable your child either to maximise recovery or to maintain strength and mobility. All of this can happen without the risk of infection…

 

How The Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment Works

It is extremely easy to set up the assessment. Simply send us an email with a short description of your request: please include details about your child such as age, the nature of the problem, some background about current difficulties  and what you would like them to achieve from physiotherapy as these will be really helpful in organising the assessment. We will then get in touch to arrange a convenient time for your assessment. Before the session you will receive an email with instructions detailing how to access the video conferencing software needed for the remote physiotherapy assessment.

 

The Online Physiotherapy Session

The session will be 1hr in length and will begin with a discussion to find out what it is our physiotherapist can help with e.g. delayed development, torticollis, plagiocephaly or Cerebral Palsy, what the symptoms are, what activities might be practicable and what goals you and yoru child have for physiotherapy. Our paediatric physiotherapist will then run through a past medical history and any other questions needed that will highlight other areas and difficulties.

Then a physical assessment will happen during which the our paediatric physiotherapist will ask your child to perform a series of tests, exercises and movements to check strength, range of motion, pain and balance etc. Now for children this can often look like the physio is wanting them to simply play and have fun and this is because this is the best way to get them to engage in physio. This part of the session will very much depend upon age of your child and the issue being looked at for example a 6month old struggling to sit independently  will be needing to do very different things to a 9 year old with a painful knee. During this part of the assessment you will need to have your phone, iPad or laptop pointed at your child fairly securely so that the our paediatric physio can see what they are doing.

After this part, the physio will then discuss what they have found or may ask some further questions and ask you to run through a few more tests. After this discussion they will then discuss a plan of management including exercises, dos and don’ts and things that you and your child need to do in order to help. Any exercises needed can be emailed over after the session so that you and your child have a clear idea of what is needed. Finally our paediatric physiotherapist will book in any follow up online video consultations necessary.

 

Is an Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment Suitable for a Child?

The simplest answer to this question is yes but after your initial email or call we will have a discussion about the situation and how we might be able to help your child to make sure that it is appropriate and that we will be able to help. The remote online video physiotherapy assessment is especially helpful for those self-isolating or in a high risk category for Corona Virus.

What Equipment Will I Need for The Remote Physiotherapy Assessment?

You really don’t need much for the online video physiotherapy assessment. You simply need an electronic device that has a camera and a screen and that can be pointed easily to where your child will be. This can be your phone, a tablet or a laptop. You will need an area such as a living room where dependent upon age they can move around and do some tests or exercises.  If you have a very young child or toddler having lots of toys out to play with and engage with will very much help our paediatric physiotherapist. If you have an older child then any pieces of equipment such as a set of weights, stretchy resistance bands or yoga mat would be brilliant but are not essential.

Will You Be Recording the Remote Video Physiotherapy Assessment?

The simple answer is no. We will be making our usual clinical notes but we will not be recording the video session itself as we do not want to store images of you or any family members without permission.

How Will I be Able to Know What Exercises and Stretches I should Do?

At the end of the remote video physiotherapy assessment our physiotherapist will be able to email you a comprehensive series of exercises and a plan of exercises.

Will I Need More Than One Session?

This is difficult to be certain and will depend upon what it is that we are helping with. However, if your child has been given a programme of exercises and advice to follow we will definitely be wanting to check in with you and them to review progress and make adjustments to their exercises etc.

How Long Will a Follow Up Remote Video Physiotherapy Session Take?

Usually this will be 30 minutes but your physiotherapist will advise you on what length of time they consider to be most appropriate.

Can I Have A Session in Person After an Online Video Physiotherapy Session?

Yes of course! Once you feel that it would be safe and advisable to have a physical session with our paediatric  physiotherapist then this can easily be arranged.