Hayley Nystrom, M.S. CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist at ESHC
The COVID-19 pandemic changed speech therapy as we knew it at ESHC. After a year spent operating in new settings, we recognize the growth that this unpredictable year has ensured. The transition to teletherapy brought us many unique opportunities in the world of speech pathology.
If one can believe it, telehealth has placed even more emphasis on “speech” in speech therapy – this time, on that of the clinicians. Digital interactions require greater consideration of communicating instruction, as the opportunity to demonstrate this is now quite different. Words must be chosen thoughtfully with the patient’s learning style in mind, and materials must be at the ready to provide a multimodal learning experience.
This new interaction style also gives rise to a different type of patient-provider relationship. Although it may not be comparable to the same connection that a face-to-face interaction offers, telehealth has created an opportunity for us to form a more personal relationship with patients. Telehealth allows patients to receive treatment in their most familiar environment, which helps us further keep patient convenience, comfort and safety in mind.