As a way of restricting the spread of COVID-19, methods of social distancing were instituted in most places that people gather, including workplaces. As such, human service agencies have implemented novel ways of delivering services to clients, with a common method being telehealth. For some practitioners this was unchartered waters and required rapid adaption to their everyday practice. I was interested to hear about their experiences and what useful learning came from it. I spoke, informally, with 13 people across four settings in a regional city in Victoria, asking them about the problems, positive changes and innovations that emerged. There were reports of challenges to overcome as well as benefits that may well become long-lasting. Practitioners adapted quickly and successfully to telehealth, with only minor problems that they managed to iron out quite quickly. They were mindful of people’s differing levels of capacity and access to technology and learned to be gentle and kind to themselves and others as they adapted. Some people came to realise that they like to work from home because it improves their work-life balance. Others, however, are keen to return to the workplace; highlighting the importance for flexibility based on individual circumstances. There was a strong sense of improved communication between agencies as they were better able to connect via telehealth compared with former in-person practices.

中文翻译：

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人类服务工作者快速转向远程医疗的经历

作为限制 COVID-19 传播的一种方式，在人们聚集的大多数地方（包括工作场所）都采用了保持社交距离的方法。因此，人类服务机构已经实施了向客户提供服务的新方法，其中一种常见的方法是远程医疗。对于一些从业者来说，这是未知的领域，需要快速适应他们的日常实践。我很想听听他们的经历以及从中学到了什么有用的东西。我在维多利亚州的一个地区城市的四个环境中与 13 人进行了非正式的交谈，向他们询问了出现的问题、积极的变化和创新。有报道称需要克服的挑战以及可能会长期存在的好处。从业者迅速成功地适应了远程医疗，只有小问题，他们设法很快解决了。他们注意到人们不同水平的能力和获得技术的机会，并学会在适应时对自己和他人保持温和和友善。有些人开始意识到他们喜欢在家工作，因为它可以改善他们的工作与生活平衡。然而，其他人则热衷于重返工作场所；强调基于个人情况的灵活性的重要性。与以前的面对面实践相比，机构之间的沟通有了强烈的改善，因为他们能够更好地通过远程医疗进行联系。有些人开始意识到他们喜欢在家工作，因为它可以改善他们的工作与生活平衡。然而，其他人则热衷于重返工作场所；强调基于个人情况的灵活性的重要性。与以前的面对面实践相比，机构之间的沟通有了强烈的改善，因为他们能够更好地通过远程医疗进行联系。有些人开始意识到他们喜欢在家工作，因为它可以改善他们的工作与生活平衡。然而，其他人则热衷于重返工作场所；强调基于个人情况的灵活性的重要性。与以前的面对面实践相比，机构之间的沟通有了强烈的改善，因为他们能够更好地通过远程医疗进行联系。