Tele-Speech Therapy: Complete Guide for Practicing Remotely
Tele-speech therapy has established itself as a complementary exercise modality. Legal framework, tools, best practices: everything you need to know for successful remote sessions.
Accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, tele-speech therapy has firmly established itself in the professional landscape. This remote practice offers a response to medical deserts, patients with reduced mobility, and exceptional situations. However, it requires an adaptation of practices and adherence to a precise regulatory framework. This complete guide will assist you in setting up and optimizing your tele-consultations.
📱 What is tele-speech therapy?
Tele-speech therapy refers to all speech therapy acts performed remotely, via digital communication technologies. It falls within the broader framework of telecare, which encompasses all remote care practices carried out by medical auxiliaries.
Tele-rehabilitation
Rehabilitation sessions conducted via videoconference, with screen sharing and interactive exercises
Tele-assessment
Conducting certain assessments remotely, with appropriate tools and specific protocols
Tele-guidance
Supporting parents and caregivers remotely to extend therapeutic work
Tele-speech therapy does not replace in-person sessions but constitutes a valuable complement in certain situations. It particularly ensures continuity of care when the patient or practitioner cannot travel.
💡 Good to know
Tele-speech therapy is not suitable for all patients or all pathologies. It requires a prior assessment of technical and clinical feasibility, as well as informed consent from the patient.
⚖️ The legal and regulatory framework
The practice of tele-speech therapy is governed by several regulatory texts that define the conditions of practice, the obligations of the practitioner, and the billing modalities.
Reference texts
- Decree of June 3, 2021: Defines the conditions for telecare for speech therapists
- Amendment 16 to the agreement: Sets the billing modalities for tele-speech therapy acts
- HAS Recommendations: Best practices for implementing telecare
- GDPR: Protection of personal health data transmitted remotely
Regulatory conditions
Medical prescription
Tele-speech therapy requires a medical prescription just like in-person sessions
Patient consent
The patient must give informed consent for remote sessions
Data security
Mandatory use of tools that comply with health data security requirements
National territory
The patient must be located in French territory at the time of the tele-consultation
⚠️ Requirement for prior in-person session
The regulations require that an initial assessment has been conducted in person before starting tele-speech therapy sessions. This rule aims to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the patient and the establishment of a quality therapeutic relationship.
Mandatory traceability
Each tele-speech therapy session must be subject to rigorous traceability in the patient file:
- Date and time of the tele-consultation
- Actual duration of the session
- Videoconferencing tool used
- Report of activities carried out
- Any technical incidents encountered
- Patient consent recorded
🛠️ Perfect tools for tele-speech therapy
DYNSEO applications are ideal for remote sessions: easy screen sharing, interactive exercises, real-time progress tracking.
Discover our tools →✅ Indications and contraindications
Tele-speech therapy is not suitable for all situations. It is essential to evaluate the relevance of this care modality on a case-by-case basis.
Favorable indications
Geographical distance
Patients residing in rural areas or far from the office, medical deserts
Reduced mobility
Patients with mobility difficulties, elderly individuals, motor disabilities
Continuity of care
Hospitalization, convalescence, epidemics, exceptional situations
Certain pathologies
Written language disorders, stuttering, cognitive-linguistic disorders in adults
Contraindications and limits
⚠️ Situations not suitable for tele-speech therapy
- Complete initial assessments requiring fine clinical evaluation
- Oral and swallowing disorders (risk of aspiration)
- Patients lacking the necessary equipment or digital skills
- Young children without appropriate parental support
- Severe attention disorders making it difficult to maintain focus in front of a screen
- Pathologies requiring physical manipulation (bucco-facial praxias...)
💡 Continuous evaluation
The relevance of tele-speech therapy should be regularly reassessed during follow-up. What is suitable at one point may no longer be so according to the patient's evolution or therapeutic goals.
🖥️ Tools and equipment for tele-speech therapy
The quality of tele-speech therapy sessions largely depends on the tools used. Here are the essential equipment and selection criteria.
Basic technical equipment
High-performance computer
Good-sized screen, HD webcam, quality microphone, stable internet connection (fiber recommended)
Headset with microphone
Essential for optimal audio quality and to avoid sound feedback
Appropriate lighting
Light facing the face for good visibility, avoid backlighting
Videoconferencing platforms
The choice of videoconferencing platform is crucial. It must comply with health data security requirements (HDS) and offer the necessary functionalities for speech therapy practice.
- Health-dedicated platforms: Doctolib, Maiia, certified HDS solutions
- Essential features: Screen sharing, annotation, whiteboard, chat
- Video/audio quality: Minimum HD, connection stability
- Ease of use: Intuitive interface for patients
Remote rehabilitation applications
Cognitive stimulation applications are particularly suited for tele-speech therapy. They allow for interactive exercises while maintaining control over the session.
COCO
Over 30 educational games for children, perfect for screen sharing in remote sessions
JOE
Varied exercises for adults, performance tracking, automatic level adjustment
EDITH
Simplified interface for seniors, exercises adapted to neurocognitive disorders
💡 Technical tip
Always test your setup before each session. Have a backup plan in case of technical issues (phone number, alternative platform). Technical reliability is essential for therapeutic quality.
👩⚕️ Best clinical practices in tele-speech therapy
Tele-speech therapy requires an adaptation of clinical practices to maintain therapeutic quality despite the distance. Here are the recommendations for effective sessions.
Preparing the session
- Check the technical setup before the appointment
- Prepare the materials and supports that will be used
- Plan alternative activities in case of technical issues
- Ensure you are in a calm and professional environment
- Have the patient file accessible for traceability
During the session
Eye contact
Look at the camera (not the screen) to maintain eye contact with the patient
Adapted communication
Speak more slowly, articulate more, regularly check understanding
Time management
Shorter sessions if needed, regular breaks to limit screen fatigue
Adapting exercises
Not all exercises translate directly to remote sessions. Certain activities need to be rethought to remain effective in videoconferencing.
- Favor shareable visual supports on screen
- Use interactive applications that the patient can manipulate
- Plan exercises that the patient can perform at home with simple materials
- Involve the present entourage for certain activities
"Tele-speech therapy forced me to rethink my practice. I discovered new, more interactive ways of working, and my patients are sometimes more comfortable at home than in the office."
— Sandrine, freelance speech therapist practicing tele-speech therapy since 2020
🎓 Train in tele-speech therapy
DYNSEO offers training to optimize the use of digital tools in remote sessions.
Discover our training →👥 Supporting patients in tele-speech therapy
The success of tele-speech therapy also relies on the preparation and support of patients. Not everyone is comfortable with digital tools.
Preparing the patient
Check equipment
Ensure the patient has the necessary equipment: computer/tablet, internet connection, microphone/camera
Train if needed
Plan a learning time for the tool for patients unfamiliar with digital technology
Give instructions
Calm environment, lighting, camera position, materials to prepare...
The role of the entourage
For children and dependent patients, the presence of a caregiver is often essential. Their role must be clearly defined:
- Technical assistance (connection, tool manipulation)
- Supervision without interference in the session
- Support for exercises requiring physical manipulation
- Transfer of skills for inter-session work
💡 Obtain consent
Before the first tele-session, obtain informed consent from the patient (or their legal representative). Explain the advantages and limitations of this modality, the technical conditions, and possible alternatives.
💰 Billing and reimbursement
Tele-speech therapy acts are reimbursed by Health Insurance under the same conditions as in-person acts. However, there are some particularities to be aware of.
Billing rules
- Same pricing as in-person acts (AMO)
- Use of a specific act code for traceability
- Possible limitation on the number of tele-sessions per patient
- Billing only for sessions actually conducted (not aborted attempts)
⚠️ Proportion of tele-speech therapy
It is recommended not to exceed 20% of your activity in tele-speech therapy. Beyond that, Health Insurance may request justifications. The in-person/remote balance should be adapted to the clinical needs of patients.
🔮 The future of tele-speech therapy
Tele-speech therapy is set to develop and improve in the coming years. Several trends are emerging.
Artificial intelligence
Tools for automatic analysis of voice and language to enrich remote sessions
Virtual reality
Immersion in virtual environments for more ecological rehabilitation
Connected monitoring
Applications allowing continuous monitoring of exercises between sessions
These technological evolutions will enrich the practice but will never replace the human relationship at the heart of speech therapy. Tele-speech therapy will remain a valuable complement to in-person care.
🎯 Conclusion
Tele-speech therapy represents a major evolution in our profession, offering new possibilities to support patients despite geographical or mobility constraints. Well-regulated and well-practiced, it allows for maintaining optimal care quality while adapting to the realities of the modern world.
The success of tele-speech therapy relies on technical mastery, adaptation of clinical practices, and attentive support for patients. It does not replace in-person sessions but intelligently complements them.
By integrating this modality into your practice, you expand your ability to meet your patients' needs while developing new professional skills.
Ready to develop your tele-speech therapy practice?
DYNSEO supports you with tools perfectly suited for remote sessions.
