PTKids Teletherapy
Project Background: Due to COVID-19, many medical providers moved to telemedicine to provide services. Unfortunately, physical therapy--especially for children with physical disablities--is not so simple. These services often include orthotics and prosthetics, manual manipulation through massage and stretching, and specialized equipment, and can't be done by just anyone. In addition, many therapists are resorting to ad-hoc approaches and insecure means to provide care.
Problem: How can we expand pediatric physical therapy offerings via telemedicine--not as a hack, but as a viable alternative to in-person therapy?
Process: My children have physical disabilities and receive regular physical therapy through the school district. In March 2020 they switched to virtual sessions via Google Hangout. I conducted multiple observations of the therapist’s sessions with each of my children and also an informal interview to discuss their care. I also conducted a series of co-design workshops with my children to explore a therapy kit using various objects and an exercise regimen using a set of hand-made exercise cards.
Design Solution: Created new service called PTKids Teletherapy, aimed at providing pediatric physical therapists and parents with the resources they need to ensure that children with physical disabilities get the care they need in a virtual environment. The service revolves around three basic components: a specialized physical therapy kit, secure remote sessions via a website/mobile app, and parent/child exercises via exercise cards or Alexa.
