From Constraint to Standard Due to the War

The demand for treatments in the field of child development increases every year. The lengthening queues resulting from a shortage of therapists have led, among other things, to a boom in online treatments – mainly in the private market. What began as a constraint during the Corona period has become common in the war, but professionals are divided in their opinions regarding the benefit of such treatment.

The advantages and challenges of remote treatment

The security reality has forced many families to stay at home, and as a result, remote treatment has become a central tool in child development services, rather than a temporary alternative. However, experts in the field explain that this is not a perfect solution.

Nava Galcop, a developmental physiotherapist and chairwoman of the Israeli Association for Child Development and Rehabilitation, noted:

“Remote treatment was seen as a less good option, also because its use expanded during the Corona periods when it was a solution born out of constraint. It is true that one of the reasons for remote treatment is the long wait in line for face-to-face treatment, but it also stands on its own and has many advantages”.​

According to her, the main change in the treatment of children stems from understanding the need to include parents more actively in the process:

“Studies today show that in order to achieve good results, you must take into account the family dynamics and the unique characteristics of each family, otherwise it will not work in the long term. Working with the family is what changes the range of the child’s abilities. A 45-minute face-to-face treatment with a professional, without daily work with the family, is not enough. A joint discussion leads to better progress”.​

Also Dr. Dorit Shmueli, director of the field of child development in the community division of Clalit Health Services, refers to the issue and says that:

“Many in the field will say that hybrid treatment is preferable – a combination of online and face-to-face treatment – and yet, most professionals agree that the diagnosis itself should be face to face, especially in the professions of occupational therapy and physiotherapy”.​

According to her, a combination of online and face-to-face treatment may lead to better results, but there are cases where the physical meeting between the therapist and the child cannot be replaced.

How does the system adapt to the change?

With the increase in demand for online treatment services, health funds and medical institutions are trying to find the right balance between remote treatment and face-to-face treatment. In 2024, Clalit Health Services reported 14,000 online treatment meetings, almost double that of 2021​.

For further reading