Definition of Telehealth
Telehealth is the use of digital platforms and communication technologies to deliver and facilitate health-related services as it accommodates long-distance patients as well. It’s transmitting images and data via electronic devices rather than sending a medical team to a particular region. According to the American Telemedicine Association, “telemedicine is used in a more limited sense to describe remote clinical services such as diagnosis and monitoring” (Demaerschalk et al., 2017). Additionally, in a rural setting where there is a lack of transport, poor roads, and inadequate staff access to care, telehealth facilitates healthcare services.
Examples of Telehealth used Effectively
Remote monitoring for heart failure patients in Boston using communication devices in sending updates of their health progress. Through the data received, medical professionals adjust treatment options in providing alternative care. “This has contributed to a nearly 50percet reduction in hospital readmissions related to heart failure” (Hale et al., 2016).
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Tele-ICU technology supports a few ICU beds in the U.S, allowing doctors to practice remote monitoring on patients. This type of way of providing healthcare showed that a few patients had complications, reducing mortality rates.
“ Kaiser Permanente dermatologists in San Diego are able to treat more patients by reviewing images and patient information uploaded and sent to them over a secure server by referring physicians, rather than seeing every patient in person” (Arkwright et al., 2018).
“ Wireless medication adherence systems where a randomized trial at the center for connected health showed the use of a wireless pill bottle that reminded patients to take their blood pressure medication increased adherence by 68percent” (Gandapur et al., 2016).
Benefits
Improves patient engagement with remote monitoring
With an increase in chronic diseases, hospitals are now forced to invent new ways to communicate with their patients and teach them self-care. During clinical visits through communication technologies, clinicians demonstrate the ways to administer self-care by themselves. "Today, telehealth is being used to report patient metrics from the comfort of the patient's own home, while remote teams act as coach and counselor as they engage patients in their journey towards good health" (Kyle et al., 2012). Therefore, telehealth improves patient engagement with remote monitoring through demonstrations provided by the clinician.
Cut patient costs
In rural areas, patients must travel for two days to reach the healthcare center in urban regions for treatment. There is a lot of time and money seeking healthcare; however, doctors can now visit patients' homes through phones, tablets, and laptops with telehealth. If some patients do not have telehealth programs in rural areas, they may skip treatment due to the time spent and transport fee burden to access the health center. Therefore, telehealth helps in cutting costs and time paid to reach a facility.
Improves clinical workflows and increases practice efficiency
Clinical workflow efficiency increases through telehealth as work the organization of work is systematic for productivity. “It can serve as the conduit for quicker prioritization of care delivery, triaging each case and improving communication by capturing, storing, and using patient data for better medical decision-making” (Kyle et al., 2012). Therefore, telehealth facilitates acceptable performance practices, which in turn improves patient satisfaction.
Retains revenues
Telehealth is less time-consuming for the patient. “Some patients can remain where they are instead of being moved to a health facility that is not in their network, as this helps retain revenues for the facility that has already been in charge of the patient’s care” (Kyle et al., 2012). Therefore, telehealth reduces readmissions to other hospitals and time spent as well.
References
Demaerschalk, B. M., Berg, J., Chong, B. W., Gross, H., Nystrom, K., Adeoye, O., ... & Whitchurch, S. (2017). American telemedicine association: telestroke guidelines. Telemedicine and e-Health , 23 (5), 376-389.
Hale, T. M., Jethwani, K., Kandola, M. S., Saldana, F., & Kvedar, J. C. (2016). A remote medication monitoring system for chronic heart failure patients to reduce readmissions: a two-arm randomized pilot study. Journal of medical Internet research , 18 (5), e91.
Arkwright, B., Edwards, J., & Mattison, J. (2018). Making Telehealth a Strategic Asset to Achieve Efficiency. Telehealth and Medicine Today .
Kyle, E., Aitken, P., Elcock, M., & Barneveld, M. (2012). Use of telehealth for patients referred to a retrieval service: timing, destination, mode of transport, escort level, and patient care. Journal of telemedicine and telecare , 18 (3), 147-150.
Gandapur, Y., Kianoush, S., Kelli, H. M., Misra, S., Urrea, B., Blaha, M. J., ... & Martin, S. S. (2016). The role of mHealth for improving medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. European Heart Journal-Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes , 2 (4), 237-244.
