The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the National Disability Insurance Scheme allied healthcare services and consumer experiences transitioning to telehealth

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the National Disability Insurance Scheme allied healthcare services and consumer experiences transitioning to tele-health

Lead researchers: Belinda Lawford
Department of Physiotherapy
Partner organisations: Griffith University, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Australian Catholic University, Deakin University

The aim of this project is to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) allied healthcare services and consumer experiences transitioning to tele-health. We will conduct a survey to examine the experiences of adults and children with a disability receiving such care via NDIS during the pandemic, including the perceived safety, effectiveness, acceptability, benefits and limitations of tele-health delivery. This information will inform decision making around future funding of tele-health services by NDIS allied healthcare providers once the pandemic has ended.

Research impacts

Briefly, the study found that NDIS participant and/or their carers had mostly positive experiences using remotely delivered services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Journal Articles

Lawford BJ, Hinman RS, Morello R, Oliver K, Spittle A, Bennell KL. Perceptions about the efficacy and acceptability of telephone and video-delivered allied healthcare for adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional national survey. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (accepted 19th December 2021)

Conference Papers

Lawford BJ, Bennell KL, Hinman RS, Morello R, Oliver K, Spittle A. Participant experiences with National Disability Insurance Scheme funded allied healthcare services during COVID-19. Allied Health Australia Virtual Conference 2021

Other Publications

The results of our survey have been published in two reports: https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/physiotherapy/chesm/research-overview/chesm-ndis-study and was also recently accepted for publication in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Partnership reflections

Partnership with the NDIA - Enabling people with disabilities to share their experiences accessing allied healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic has been very rewarding. It has also been beneficial working with the NDIA in a way that helps ensure our research has tangible impact and may help NDIS participants in the future by improving health services.