Stage 2 of ESSA Telehealth Research Publication Support now open!

ESSA is seeking Expressions of Interest to support an Open Access fee for a current telehealth / AEP associated research manuscript nearing publication to augment available evidence for advocacy efforts to retain relevant compensable scheme Telehealth Item numbers for exercise physiology services beyond the Federal Government’s 30 September 2020 interim measure cut-off date.

“AEPs have responded to COVID-19 with a dynamic shift in how they deliver client care,” Ms Hobson-Powell said. 

As the peak association for Australia’s exercise and sports professionals, ESSA aims to augment the existing evidence of the impact and efficacy of AEP telehealth services as a viable mode of continued service delivery beyond the pandemic. 

Stage 2 of the ESSA Expression of Interest offering is part of a tiered approach for ESSA in driving telehealth research for the benefit of the wider ESSA community. Since ESSA advocacy efforts are time sensitive, ESSA is looking to support a “current” manuscript close to publication which aligns with the Eligibility Criteria and Themes in the attachment.

Stage 2 is in addition and independent to the pre-existing Stage 1 Expression of Interest (closing date 27 May 2020), titled “EOI: ESSA Telehealth Research Project” which is focused on projects with up to two publications over a longer time period to allow for applications from new projects.

“ESSA advocates that the continued delivery of AEP telehealth services beyond COVID-19 has capacity to improve and maintain health outcomes and overcome the long-standing issues around access to quality healthcare services, and growing pressure on Australia’s primary healthcare system,” Anita added.

“Adding telehealth services to face-to-face service delivery as appropriate, enables AEPs to continue to improve the health outcomes of both vulnerable populations and those in rural and remote communities in Australia, as well as dispersing pressure from the primary healthcare system." 

"ESSA Members are invited to submit an Expression of Interest by 5 June 2020 and we look forward to further contributing to Australia’s allied health system with formal results next year.”