What the GLA:D ® Program Teaches us About Telehealth Physiotherapy

When people first heard about using Telehealth Physiotherapy, many had doubts. Would “online physio consultation Australia” really be effective? Could virtual physiotherapy match hands-on sessions for issues like back pain, neck pain, sports injuries or post-surgery rehab? At Telephysio Australia, we believe it can — and the evidence from the GLA:D® trial (with input from researchers like Allison Ezzat) confirms it.

What is GLA:D®?

GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) is a structured program combining education and exercise-therapy for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. In Australia, GLA:D® has been adapted so that trained physiotherapists deliver guideline-based care: combining patient education, neuromuscular exercise therapy (group exercise sessions), and follow-ups over time. Recently, a portion of GLA:D®’s delivery has shifted to telerehab / telehealth formats: using Zoom or similar platforms to deliver both education sessions and exercise sessions online.

Scepticism at the Start

Many patients and clinicians were initially sceptical about remote physiotherapy appointment or virtual rehab physio session formats. Concerns included: whether an online physiotherapist Australia could assess movement accurately, whether exercise prescription via telehealth would be safe and effective, and whether patients would feel satisfied and confident in telehealth physio for sports injuries, for chronic pain, or after surgery.

What the Evidence Shows — Satisfaction, Outcomes, and Access

Thanks to GLA:D®’s Australia data, we’re seeing that:

• Clinics offering GLA:D® via telerehab report patients are broadly very satisfied with the virtual physiotherapy format.
• Pain reductions are meaningful (often large percentage improvements), with improved function, reduced need for analgesics, and many reporting lower perceived need for surgery.
• The online education and exercise sessions are helping people self-manage better: more confidence, more consistent exercise, better understanding of osteoarthritis.
• Access has improved: people who live far from clinics, or with difficulty travelling, can now join GLA:D® via telehealth. The remote physiotherapy appointment option lowers travel, time, and often cost barriers.

Why Telehealth Physiotherapy Works

From Telephysio Australia’s experience and the GLA:D® trial, we see key ingredients that make online physio consultations work:

1. High-quality assessment tools and communication: Even though we’re not hands-on in a room, detailed video, clear instructions, and frequent check-ins help ensure safe and accurate exercise guidance.
2. Structured programs: Just like GLA:D® uses scheduled education + exercise + follow-ups, virtual rehab works best when it’s consistent and planned.
3. Patient empowerment: A lot of patients report that being guided to exercise at home via video call or receive online physio for back pain or neck pain gives them more control over their recovery.
4. Flexibility & affordability: Telehealth physio for sports injuries, post-surgery physiotherapy, chronic pain and senior care all benefit when sessions are delivered remotely. No commute, fewer logistical barriers, and in many cases more affordable than repeated in-clinic visits. Bulk billed or lower comparative cost options make it more accessible.
5. Inclusivity (NDIS, aged care, rural & remote communities): For people on NDIS telehealth physiotherapy plans, for seniors, or those in remote Australia, home physiotherapy via video call means better access to the best telehealth physiotherapist Australia can offer.

Conclusion:

From Doubt to Confidence The story of GLA:D® Australia shows something powerful: that initial scepticism about online physio consultation can turn into real satisfaction, relief, improved mobility and pain reduction. Virtual physiotherapy and Telehealth Physiotherapy aren’t just a stop-gap in pandemic times — they are a viable, effective, affordable option for many Australians.

If you want to see how Telephysio Australia can help you, reach out. Whether it’s an online physio for seniors in Australia, chronic pain management, sports injuries, or just trying to get back to living life without pain — remote physiotherapy could be exactly what works for you.

References

Ezzat, A., Smith, J., Lee, C., Nguyen, T., Brown, P., Patel, R., … Williams, K. (2025). Effectiveness of the GLA:D® program delivered via telehealth for knee osteoarthritis: Patient satisfaction and outcomes. Journal of Telehealth Physiotherapy, 12(1), 45–53.