The health of online speech therapy is not well researched because the internet is a relatively new phenomenon. However, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of this field of rehabilitation. Online therapy is different from the conventional model of therapy. A therapist-client relationship cannot be established if the distance is a problem, and this limits the amount of interaction and therapy that could be delivered. However, there are now ways to overcome this issue. New technologies and tools are being developed that can deliver therapy, as well as monitor the progress of a patient.
What are the advantages of online speech therapy?
One advantage of online speech therapy is freedom. Patients and therapists have the freedom to set up a treatment plan as they wish, this can include everything from regular communication between them to just having one session per week. Not all patients cope with Internet therapy as well as they do traditional therapy, and this may be because they are too dependent on their therapist to handle practicalities such as arranging appointments. The patient can be trained how to use online resources such as webcams, or how to communicate by typing and emailing. In the long term, it is hoped that patients may get more independence, and less reliance on their therapist.
How is health of online speech therapy measured?
Health of online speech therapy is difficult to measure. The main measure is the success rate of patients, and how they feel after treatment. There are also other measures, such as how much therapist and patient interact. Some therapists also use their own ‘logbooks’, which are written records describing the progress of a patient, by referring to previous progress notes for help in interpreting them (e.g. whether a patient has been late for appointments).
Does health of online speech therapy conform to ethical standards?
Online speech therapy is different than the traditional model of therapy. This means that the ethical concerns are different, and there are less unethical concerns. Online speech therapy has been tested in some areas, where it has been found to be beneficial for patients, and therapists. However, it is a developing field, and most therapists need training to deliver this type of therapy. The way in which an online therapist-client relationship is established is different from a conventional therapist-client relationship. Online speech therapists may have to adapt their behavior during treatment to fit in with the online medium.
What is the future of online speech therapy?
Some researchers think that online speech therapy is an emerging field, and one day a traditional therapist-client relationship may not be necessary in order to deliver treatment. However, others think that it will still remain a part of conventional therapy. All therapists will need training in the art of speaking online, and the technology involved. Research into how to deliver treatment using videoconferencing is currently being conducted. One example are face-to-face conversations which are recorded onto video can be replayed later for review by the patient, or therapist. This process also allows patients to ask questions about what has just been said during the conversation. There are also some technological advances in the form of text to speech programs which can read through a patient’s diary, or email, and transcribe it into spoken words.
What is the worst case scenario of online speech therapy?
The worst case scenario of online speech therapy is that there are no new advancements in technology. Currently, the best way to measure health of online speech therapy is by measuring success rates, and patients’ post-treatment satisfaction. However, this does not allow for comparisons between different therapists. Furthermore, there are no measures currently used to determine how effective the treatment is for individual patients. Therapists also have their own logbooks in order to determine how successful their patients are at following through with treatment and on a personal level.
What research needs to be done on the health of online speech therapy?
There needs to be more research into assessing therapists. And also measures need to be developed in order to accurately measure the success of treatment, and how effective it is for specific patients. One example is whether therapists need training in communicating online, or whether they are already trained and experienced in this area. And finally, there is not enough research into the long-term effects of using the internet as a medium for therapy. This would include effects on mental wellbeing, relationships, and other aspects that would help researchers better identify any longer-term effects of using this type of therapy (e.g., does it change people’s perceptions about illness?).
How does the effectiveness of online speech therapy compare to conventional therapy?
The effectiveness of online speech therapy is currently unknown. The health of online speech therapy is difficult to measure because it is a relatively new phenomenon, and so there are few research studies in this area. Online therapists and patients have an opportunity to develop a relationship in their own way that may differ from conventional therapist-client relationships, for example by interacting with each other on a regular basis, or by not interacting at all. However, other factors such as the length of time and geographical distance may have an impact on the success rate of patients who are treated using this method.
What are the effects of online speech therapy?
The effects of online speech therapy in traditional therapy can be split into two categories. First, there are those who find the Internet to be a more effective medium for dealing with their specific issue. Second, there are those who have found it to be an effective means of treatment for other issues that they may have been struggling with, such as anxiety or depression. However, it is also important to note that all patients would benefit from face-to-face sessions with their therapist in order to provide a personal and private environment for therapy.
What are the healthful effects of online speech therapy?
The healthful effects of online speech therapy have only been tested in small-scale research trials, so there is no solid evidence to say that it is any more healthful than conventional therapy. However, many online therapists believe this to be the case, and that it puts patients in control of their treatment. This may mean they feel as though they have more control over their treatment when compared to conventional therapy. The use of a text-to-speech program also allows patients to listen back to what has been written down, which can help them become more aware of any issues related to their illness and how they can improve creatively.