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

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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Exercise for Hip Pain (PHOENIX)
This study is comparing the effects of two different 9-month exercise programs on hip osteoarthritis symptoms.
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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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Exercise and Weight loss for Hip Pain (ECHO)
This study is comparing the effects of exercise versus exercise and weight loss programs on hip osteoarthritis symptoms.