Innovative country health program puts virtual care in regional hands
Occupational Therapist Grace Fox treating a young patient while Enhanced Scope Hands Occupational Therapist Barbara Hall from Telehands is on another screen providing clinical support.
Kalgoorlie-based Occupational Therapist Grace Fox can confidently provide complex hand therapy closer to home for Goldfields patients, thanks to WA Country Health Service's innovative Telehands Program.
Telehands provides virtual clinical support to rural and remote allied health staff allowing them to treat patients with complex hand and upper limb conditions in their communities, reducing the need for travel for specialist appointments in the metro area.
Grace credits the program for increasing her clinical skills and confidence.
“Having the program supporting us to provide services in the Goldfields not only helps with better patient outcomes but provides a great opportunity for rural and remote OTs to receive thorough, hands-on professional development in a specialist area,” Grace shared.
“Getting to be a part of the Telehands Program has been an amazing opportunity.
“I can’t wait to continue to provide hand therapy services to more people in the Goldfields region.”
Enhanced Scope Hand Therapist and Clinical Advisor Occupational Therapist Barbara Hall said Grace and the Kalgoorlie allied health team were an excellent example of the collaborative approach the team takes to delivering care and upskilling colleagues.
“It’s really important we work with staff across our network to build clinical skills while treating patients in their local community,” Barbara said.
“It’s not easy learning new skills and treating the patient at the same time,” Barbara added.
“Grace has embraced this experience over the past six-months – she does a fantastic job and her patients have benefited from her specialist care and improved outcomes.”