Implementation of telehealth and hybrid service delivery of interdisciplinary rehabilitation for military populations with traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the implementation of telehealth and hybrid service delivery models and provided an opportunity to study the impact of this care model in military populations with history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE: To present telehealth service utilization rates across rehabilitation specialties, treatment outcome indicators, and patient satisfaction outcomes from a retrospective clinical sample. METHODS: The study sample consists of 34 patients who underwent telehealth/hybrid Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP) at a major rehabilitation hospital. Retrospective chart review and clinical data extraction were performed. A historical cohort receiving in-person care was used as a comparison group. Statistical analyses included partial correlations, mixed method analysis of variance (ANOVA), and independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: Medical, behavioral health, physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy providers exhibited similar rates of telehealth service delivery (35 to 41% of all sessions). No significant association was found between percent telehealth sessions and the global treatment outcome indicator. Comparison of treatment effects across cohorts revealed similar benefits of IOP. No between-group differences were noted in satisfaction ratings. CONCLUSION: The comparable treatment-related gains and reports of positive patient experience support the use of a telehealth and hybrid delivery model for military service members and veterans with TBI.