Objective:

–       Determine if Telea, an online care platform, can aid in efficiently addressing caseload needs and quantify clinical time saved through its implementation.

–       Investigate if the frequency of practice using the Telea app relates to Quality of Life (QoL) outcomes.

Background: Before Telea the NHS Derby Parkinson’s Speech and Language Therapy clinic received 165 referrals from January to December 2022. Staffing challenges and post-pandemic recovery caused the Referral to Treatment Time (RTT) wait to rise from 8-9 weeks pre-pandemic to an average of 24 weeks between July and August 2023. Telea, an online care platform, was seen as a potential solution, offering benefits like reduced travel, and enhanced care quality. Over six months the Derby Parkinson’s Team trialled Telea to assess its impact on service delivery and patient outcomes.

Method: a) SLTs (Speech and Language Therapists) administered the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) to 10 People with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD) before and after a 30-day period of Telea app usage. The analysis examined a possible correlation between patients’ 30-day practice frequency and their VHI results.

b) RTT was assessed by comparing referral allocations in July/August 2023 with September/October 2023. Clinical time saved with Telea was calculated by evaluating therapy slots and care planning time pre/post its use.

Results: ● RTT decreased from an average of 24 weeks to 21 weeks (longest wait reduced by 6 weeks).

● 90% reduction in waiting time for intervention. In June 2023, there was a 6- week wait for intervention, but with Telea, therapy could be offered

immediately.

● 6 therapy slots saved per week.

● 3.5 hours saved per week on care planning.

● VHI scores improved for 90% of the patients.

● Positive correlation identified i.e., more sessions completed on the app, higher the VHI score.

Conclusion: SLTs saved 38 hours per month, enabling the delivery of a more valuable and efficient service to PwPD. Patients' independence increased as they completed speech exercises at home using the app, reducing reliance on SLTs, and enhancing self-efficacy. Post pilot, patients expressed disappointment at cessation of app access, eager to continue using Telea.

Telea’s implementation enhanced the service delivery model and offers real-world evidence of how an online care platform improves SLT service delivery and patient outcomes.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/can-technology-improve-service-delivery-and-patient-outcomes-in-a-parkinsons-speech-and-language-therapy-clinic/