About
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on the delivery of healthcare across Australia. Many National Disability Insurance Scheme-funded supports (including consultations with allied healthcare clinicians) transitioned to remote service delivery via telephone or video over the internet.
The University of Melbourne, in collaboration with the National Disability Insurance Agency with funding from the Melbourne Disability Institute, conducted a survey that aimed to investigate the experiences of NDIS participants, or their family members/carers, when accessing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey comprised two parts:
- Research into participant experiences with NDIS services during the COVID-19 pandemic (Part 1). This report is hosted on the NDIS Research and evaluation website.
- Participant experiences with National Disability Insurance Scheme funded allied healthcare services during COVID-19 (Part 2). This report is hosted on the University of Melbourne.
- A plain language summary of Part 2 is available on the NDIS Research and evaluation website.
Please direct any queries to: belinda.lawford@unimelb.edu.au
Download the 3-page executive summary
Download the plain language version summary
Media
Coviu delivered a webinar on 'How Telehealth Is Transforming NDIS Care' featuring Dr Belinda Lawford.
Publications
Perceptions About the Efficacy and Acceptability of Telephone and Video-Delivered Allied Health Care for Adults With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional National Survey
Exploring experiences with telehealth-delivered allied healthcare services for people with permanent and significant disabilities funded through a national insurance scheme: a qualitative study examining challenges and suggestions to improve services
Follow Up
A follow-up qualitative interview study was conducted with people who had sub-optimal experiences with telehealth to explore the challenges and barriers that they faced, as well as their suggestions for improvements in the future.
This report was prepared by Dr Belinda Lawford, Prof Kim Bennell, Prof Rana Hinman, Dr Renata Morello, Ms Kathryn Oliver, and Prof Alicia Spittle. This research was funded by the Melbourne Disability Institute.
Take part in our other research projects
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Mobile app for Knee Osteoarthritis (MappKO)
This study is comparing the effects of physiotherapy versus physiotherapy and a mobile app on knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
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Shoes for Chronic Hip Pain (SCHIPP)
This study is comparing the effects of two classes of readily available off-the-shelf shoes on hip pain and osteoarthritis symptoms.
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Exercise and Weight loss for Knee Pain (POWER)
This study is comparing the effects of exercise versus exercise and weight loss programs on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and weight loss.
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Physiotherapists' Survey: Managing Hip Pain (CHASE)
This study is examining how physiotherapists manage chronic hip pain.
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Athletic footwear for reducing knee loads in girls and women
This study is assessing athletic footwear for reducing knee loads in female netball players.
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Ankle sprains in netball
This study is investigating ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability in netball.
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Shoes for Adolescent Kneecap Pain (SHAPE)
This study is investigating the effects of shoes on kneecap pain in adolescents.
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Online Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis (RETREAT)
This study is comparing the effects of a self-directed 12-week online Tai Chi program plus online education with online education alone on knee osteoarthritis symptoms.