The Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network (AFHCAN) is an organization that is based on a tribal basis that provides health care in Alaska, United States. The organization began in the year 1998. The organization serves most people in Alaska, especially those living in rural areas through the provision of tools that are used to manage individual health. AFHCAN offers telehealth and telemedicine that connects more than 180 clinics in Alaska (Alaska's Telehealth Solutions program n.d). Through technology and communication, the AFHCAN can provide healthcare services to its consumers and allows clinical workflow. AFHCAN cart offers diagnostic services through online consultation with other medical professionals and integration of the biomedical peripherals.
The elderly often suffer from chronic illnesses, and therefore, they require effective and efficient health care delivery systems to manage their conditions. The elderly are more likely to suffer from physical and mental disabilities. In most cases, the elderly are left alone by their children back at home, leading to mental stress, lack of financial support, inadequate nutrition, and lack of better health services (Shrivastava et al., 2013). Through the introduction of the AFHCAN in Alaska, the elderly can access healthcare at a grassroots level. The AFHCAN cart has been used to provide healthcare services to the elderly and is transforming health services for the aging population.
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First, the AFHCAN cart has enabled health care providers to provide optimal care for the aged by leveraging on technology. The elderly can get exceptional care near their homes through the community facility sites for telemedicine. Through the websites created, the elderly can get diagnostic examinations done to them, and results sent for more professional analysis. The best medication is then provided through telecommunication with health care providers at the grassroots. This approach has helped to reduce the length of hospital stay by the elderly. In case of any complications, the elderly can be rushed to nearby facilities.
Secondly, the AFHCAN cart has changed the delivery of health services for people above 65 years, through the reduction of health care costs incurred by the elderly. This has become possible through the introduction of home care based telemonitoring. Home telemonitoring has helped improve the health status of the elderly, especially those suffering from heart conditions reducing rehospitalizations and emergency visits (Madigan et al., 2013). Telemonitors are installed in homes, and measurements of blood pressure, weight, oxygen saturation, and pulse rates are done at a specified time. Any changes noted are taken care of, and timely medication is given. The use of home telemonitoring has also reduced the number of home visits by home care nurses and physicians. A decrease of 16-33% in physicians visiting the elderly has been noted. The elderly can now reduce the cost that could be incurred for transport to health care facilities and hospitalizations. Future costs in care for the elderly are also cut through the prevention of diseases and early detection of these diseases. Therefore, less financial constraints exist with this type of health care delivery.
Thirdly, the AFHCON cart is changing healthcare delivery for the elderly in that there are higher levels of satisfaction between the patient and the provider. Through the use of telemedicine by the AFHCON cart, more patient-provider achievement can be noted as compared to the traditional methods of health care delivery (Whitten & Love, 2005). This is because the use of telehealth has enhanced access to healthcare in areas that are not easily accessible. The elderly can now access health care at their homes without being involved in the physical examination and appointment schedules. There is no travel time for the elderly to access health care. The providers are satisfied because they can offer quality care in critical cases through the use of telemedicine. An accurate diagnosis for the elderly has been made through the use of telemedicine since information is sent to specialist physicians for consultation (Whitten & Love, 2005).
Lastly, the AFHCAN cart has enhanced the quality of health services provided to the againg population, through the education of the patients. Now the elderly can receive health information through telemedicine. Through the use of telehealth, the elderly are educated on various conditions. Virtual modalities are used to inform the elderly such as video conferencing, personal computers, and telephones, among others ( Morrison & Mair, 2011) . Health education has helped the elderly to become more aware of the common illnesses and how to manage these condition s. Improved quality of life and more self-care is noticed through telehealth. Through the patient education offered online, the elderly have become compliant and can now adhere to treatment plans.
In conclusion, the AFHCAN has led to better care for the elderly and the general population at large. Technology has provided better and improved ways to take care of the elderly for the communities in Alaska. Through these organizations, the elderly in the grassroots can now enjoy health benefits and education through telemedicine leading to an improved quality of life.
References
Alaska's Telehealth Solutions program. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2019, from Centre for Public Impact (CPI) website: https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/alaskas-telehealth-solutions-programme/
Madigan, E., Schmotzer, B. J., Struk, C. J., DiCarlo, C. M., Kikano, G., Piña, I. L., & Boxer, R. S. (2013). Home health care with telemonitoring improves health status for older adults with heart failure. Home health care services quarterly , 32 (1), 57-74.
Morrison, D., & Mair, F. S. (2011). Telehealth in practice: using Normalisation Process Theory to bridge the translational gap. Primary Care Respiratory Journal , 20 (4), 351-352.
Shrivastava, S. R. B. L., Shrivastava, P. S., & Ramasamy, J. (2013). Health‑care of the Elderly:
Determinants, Needs, and Services. International journal of preventive medicine , 1 (1), 1224-5.
Whitten, P., & Love, B. (2005). Patient and provider satisfaction with the use of telemedicine: overview and rationale for cautious enthusiasm. Journal of postgraduate medicine , 51 (4), 294.
