As part of its response to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends expanding the use of telemedicine where possible. Additionally, the CDC and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases recommend “social distancing measures,” among other things, to help people avoid exposure and contain the spread.

Anticipating that some injured workers may skip physical therapy sessions or postpone the start of physical rehabilitation to avoid interpersonal contact, MedRisk has expanded the scope of its telerehab services.

Patients can access one-on-one sessions with a telerehab physical therapist 7 days a week between 8 am and 8 p. EDT, the King of Prussia, Pa-based company notes in a media release.

MedRisk has also broadened criteria for the type of patients qualifying for telerehab. Historically, a patient’s condition needs to be deemed clinically appropriate by a MedRisk physical therapist, and patients typically treat at a clinic before transitioning to telerehab. For the interim, care can be initiated via telerehab rather than in a clinic. To participate, patients need a mobile device with WiFi or cellular data.

If patients have been going to a clinic, MedRisk’s telerehab PT will communicate with the patient’s in-clinic therapist and transfer them back into their care when conditions improve, the release continues.

[Source(s): MedRisk, Business Wire]