Tele-assessment

4.6 Tele-assessment is an evidence-based alternative to in-person assessment.

References: Dekhtyar et al., 2020: Non-randomised observational study; Hall et al., 2013: Systematic review of4 assessment studies; Hilari et al., 2023: Qualitative study; Theodoros et al., 2009; Hill et al.,2009: randomised double-crossoveragreement design; Teti et al., 2023: Scoping review of 25studies of which 2 involved assessment.

NHMRC Levels of Evidence: III-2

Rationale: Several (systematic) reviews have concluded that tele-assessment is a valid and feasible alternative to in-person assessment (Hall et al., 2013; Teti et al., 2023). Tele-assessment may be particularly useful with clients living in remote areas and/or with severe mobility issues when travelling is not an option. While tele-assessment may be more challenging to administer in the case of more severe aphasia, accuracy of the assessment has been found to be high regardless of aphasia severity (Hill et al., 2009).

Some factors that speech pathologists may want to be mindful of when considering tele-assessment are: 1) quality of the internet connection; 2) suitability of the particular assessment to be conducted remotely (e.g., assessments with pictures may need to be scanned prior to assessment); 3) suitability of the technology and its features to administer the assessment with high fidelity/validity; 4) the speech pathologist’s need for training and support in administration of tele-assessment in order to ensure assessment fidelity; 5) the availability of family/carer assistance (particularly with setting up the technology required for assessment); and 6) the presence of other impairments (e.g., hemiparesis, hearing/vision problems) (Dekhtyar et al., 2020; Hall et al., 2013; Hilari et al., 2023; Hill et al., 2009).

References:

• Dekhtyar, M., Braun, E.J., Billot, A., Foo, L., & Kiran, S. (2020). Videoconference administration of the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised: Feasibility and validity. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(2), 673-687. DOI: 10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-00023
• Hall, N., Boisvert, M., & Steele, R. (2013). Telepractice in the assessment and treatment of individuals with aphasia: A systematic review. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 5(1), 27-38. DOI: 10.5195/ijt.2013.6119
• Hilari, K., Roper, A., Northcott, S., & Behn, N. (2023). Telehealth practice in aphasia: A survey of UK speech and language therapists, with a focus on assessment. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 1-12. DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12996
• Theodoros et al., 2009; Hill et al.,2009
• Teti, S., Murray, L.L., Orange, J.B., Page, A.D., & Kankam, K.S. (2023). Telehealth assessments and interventions for individuals with poststroke aphasia: A scoping review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(3), 1360-1375. DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJSLP-22-00324