Pediatric physical therapy during a pandemic: Assessing perceptions of providing services through telehealth

This study aimed to identify the perceptions of pediatric physical therapists, identifying barriers and facilitators to providing telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a mixed methods design, an online, national survey gathered demographics and participants’ perceptions. A total of 165 pediatric physical therapists participated in the study. Sixty-four percent of respondents rated their pre-pandemic perception of telehealth services as “somewhat” to “very” negative. After utilizing telehealth, 66% of therapists reported perceptions of telehealth as “somewhat” or “very” positive. Barriers were 1) poor patient and parent participation and 2) technology issues. Facilitators were 1) hands-on involvement, 2) ability to share information, and 3) ability to use items in the home. Predominate themes to open-ended responses further elucidated pre- and post-pandemic telehealth perceptions. After implementing telehealth services during COVID- 19, most therapists indicated their perceptions of telehealth were somewhat or very positive.