Asynchronous Telehealth for Dysphagia Management: Evidence, Possibilities, and Practical Examples

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Health Services Research
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Dysphagia affects many, causing health risks and reduced quality of life.
• Demand for dysphagia services exceeds clinician availability, especially in underserved regions.
• Current service delivery models face challenges in providing timely and equitable care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore asynchronous telehealth as a supplemental service delivery model for dysphagia care.
• To identify how various asynchronous telehealth modalities can improve access to dysphagia services.
• To examine the potential of asynchronous telehealth in addressing current clinical practice barriers.

Main Methods:

• Review of asynchronous telehealth modalities: store-and-forward, remote patient monitoring, mobile health apps.
• Analysis of advantages and considerations for dysphagia management using these technologies.
• Examination of emerging evidence and case studies of successful implementation.

Main Results:

• Asynchronous telehealth modalities show promise in overcoming access barriers.
• Store-and-forward, remote monitoring, and mobile health apps offer distinct benefits for dysphagia management.
• Successful applications in diverse clinical settings demonstrate feasibility and utility.

Conclusions:

• Asynchronous telehealth can significantly enhance access to dysphagia services.
• Further research and development are needed to optimize its application.
• This approach holds potential to improve outcomes for individuals with swallowing disorders.