telepractice

Telepractice refers to the delivery of professional services at a distance through telecommunications technology, enabling clinical assessment, intervention, and consultation without in-person contact. It uses synchronous methods such as real-time video conferencing and asynchronous modalities such as store-and-forward communications, secure messaging, and digitized materials exchanged between clinician and client.

The approach is most widely used in speech-language pathology and audiology, where therapists or audiologists provide evaluation, treatment, counseling, and caregiver education remotely. It is also employed in related areas such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, and rehabilitation services, depending on licensure and platform capabilities. Services typically require informed consent, parental or guardian involvement for minors, and adaptation of activities to the home environment.

Telepractice can increase access to care for people in rural or underserved areas, reduce travel burden, shorten wait times, and offer flexible scheduling. It can also support ongoing monitoring, parent or caregiver coaching, and multidisciplinary collaboration. However, it relies on adequate broadband, hardware, and digital literacy, and some assessments or tests may require in-person administration. Privacy and security are governed by professional ethics and legal frameworks (for example, HIPAA in the United States), with use of secure, encrypted platforms and documented consent.

Regulatory and reimbursement landscapes vary by country and jurisdiction, with licensure requirements often restricting practice to states or regions and payer policies aligning with telepractice guidelines. Ongoing research generally supports the effectiveness of telepractice for many communication and rehabilitation outcomes, while highlighting the need for careful case selection, technical readiness, and standardization of evaluation methods.