Authors: (including presenting author): :
Lau SS(1), Hung LY(1), Sezto NW(1), Hui N(1)
Affiliation: :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, United Christian Hospital
Keyword 4: :
Occupational Therapy
Introduction: :
Telehealth has become an increasingly essential mode of healthcare delivery. The digital landscape offers a unique platform for fostering therapeutic connections and providing accessible care for those who may find traditional in-person settings challenging. It is a useful method for the management of schizophrenia."1" However, caregivers with limited digital literacy often face significant barriers in adopting telehealth services. Occupational therapists (OT) play a key role in enabling successful engagement by addressing both clinical and technological demands.
Objectives: :
To describe an OT‑led, three‑step caregiver empowerment approach that enhances caregivers’ competence and confidence in supporting a patient’s telehealth participation through task analysis "2" and caregiver‑specific interventions "3".
Methodology: :
Mr. L, a 61‑year‑old man with schizophrenia, declined in‑person psychiatric follow‑up since social withdrawal and was referred to the Personalized Care Program in May 2024. With discussion of case psychiatrist; telehealth was arranged. Although clinically stable, he and his primary caregiver (younger sister) had expressed difficulty using telehealth. Task analysis and home assessment were conducted to break down the telehealth process into manageable components. Clinical tasks included identity verification, symptom reporting, medication compliance review, and illness‑management expectations. Technological tasks included device setup, network connection, privacy considerations, e‑payment procedures, and HA Go system settings. A three‑step caregiver‑specific intervention was implemented: - Clarifying telehealth procedures through structured preparation, troubleshooting guidance, printed materials, and supervised hands‑on practice sessions. - Exploring caregiver experience to reinforce positive engagement, address concerns, and consolidate skills through joint telehealth sessions with the psychiatrist. - Extending caregiver capacity beyond telehealth, enabling independent use of HA Go services such as medication delivery and encouraging proactive involvement in long‑term care planning.
Result & Outcome: :
Following the intervention, the caregiver was able to independently support the patient’s telehealth sessions and actively participate in ongoing care management. The structured OT approach enhanced caregiver confidence, digital competence, and engagement; positioning the caregiver as an effective partner in the patient’s healthcare team. Reference: “1” Sareh Keshvardoost. Telemedicine for Patients with Schizophrenia. J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2022 March; 16(1) “2” Megan Elizabeth Gately. Caregiver Role in In-Home Video Telehealth: A National Survey of Occupational Therapy Practitioners. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2024; 11. “3” Louise Demers. Expanding Occupational Therapy Perspectives with Family Caregivers. Can J Occup Ther. 2022 Sep 22;89(3):223–237.
