Overview
Initiative type
Model of Care
Status
Close
Published
04 March 2026
Summary
The Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Telehealth Education Program, developed by Cairns Community Health, provides virtual group education for patients diagnosed with FND. The physiotherapist-run program replaces traditional in-person sessions with telehealth delivery, improving accessibility and reducing symptom exacerbation associated with travel. Patients can access the program from their own homes using their own device. The group education program is delivered via the Queensland Health Virtual Clinic platform. The program has been endorsed for statewide rollout and designed for easy adoption by other health services.
February 2025 - ongoing
Implementation sites
Cairns Community Health, Metro North Community Based Rehab Team
Partnerships
Directors of Physiotherapy Services Queensland (DOPSQ)
Functional Neurological Disorder Service - Virtual Care Community of Practice Webinar
Aim
To deliver accessible, consistent, and evidence-based education and self-management strategies for people with FND through a virtual platform, reducing barriers such as mobility limitations, social anxiety, and geographic isolation
Outcomes
- Increased access for patients in rural and remote areas and those with mobility or anxiety challenges.
- Positive consumer feedback on telehealth usability and convenience.
- Improved patient understanding of FND and self-managed strategies.
- Enhanced equity of care through statewide rollout.
- Strong engagement, with groups of 15–20 participants per session and interest from multiple HHSs.
Background
FND is the second most common reason for outpatient neurology consultations and manifests through motor, sensory, or cognitive symptoms without structural brain abnormalities. Historically, management has been poor due to limited clinician knowledge and lack of structured education. Cairns Community Health faced increasing referrals for FND patients, prompting the development of a group education program initially delivered in person. The service received a grant from the Directors of Physiotherapy Queensland (DOPSQ) to develop this program further as virtual only, and as something that could be delivered anywhere across Queensland health
Methods
- Program Structure:
- Four-week virtual education program delivered via telehealth.
- Lecture-style sessions with interactive Q&A and follow-up via email.
- Topics include understanding FND, identifying triggers, warning signs, and self-management strategies.
- Delivery Model:
- Entirely telehealth-based, using Queensland Health’s virtual clinic platform.
- Participants receive presentation PDFs, handouts, and optional homework (e.g., tracking triggers and strategies).
- Family members encouraged to attend; future iterations may include dedicated sessions for carers.
- Support:
- Allied Health Assistant assists with technical issues during sessions.
- Post-session email communication for questions and additional resources.
- Governance:
- Program content reviewed by neurologists, psychiatrists, and allied health professionals to ensure accuracy and relevance.
- Scalability:
- Designed as an interdisciplinary program for easy adoption by other HHSs; pilot rollout planned statewide.
Discussion and results
Telehealth delivery offers significant benefits for FND patients, including reduced travel, symptom management, and improved comfort. Participants appreciated the flexibility to attend from home, even during symptom flare-ups, and valued connecting with others who share the condition.
Challenges included:
- Technical issues (e.g., connectivity, manual invitation process).
- Limited real-time interaction for patients with speech difficulties; mitigated through email follow-up.
- Need for additional accessibility features (e.g., captions).
Despite these challenges, feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the program demonstrates strong potential for statewide implementation and future research. It aligns with chronic disease management principles by emphasising education and self-management.
Key contact
Sophie Morris
Senior Physiotherapist
Cairns Community Health