7 Innovative Examples of Telehealth in Action
Many uses of telehealth technologies were advanced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue after the public health emergency has ended. Let’s take a look at 7 examples of telehealth technologies in action:
1. Screening and Engaging Patients Remotely before They Enter a Care Facility
To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, hospitals and medical organizations started using online patient screening to assess patients’ health and ensure no one with multiple COVID-19 symptoms entered the facility or medical center. In some cases, call centers would be tasked with calling high-risk patients to gather more information on their condition before referring them to a provider.
These precautions were implemented to reduce viral exposure for both patients and staff during a volatile time in the medical industry. While these practices aren’t as necessary as the pandemic subsides, many providers will keep them in place as they provide convenience and reduce the length of stay at hospitals and other medical facilities.
2. Bringing Ultrasound Expertise to the bedside with Live Remote Collaboration
Rural communities have always been at a disadvantage when it comes to receiving healthcare services, health education, and health resources. Tele-ultrasounds are a way to break past that barrier, allowing specialists to connect virtually with local providers. Healthcare professionals can manually operate the ultrasound machine, while specialists can examine the results in real-time and provide direct consultation.
3. Keeping a Caring Eye on Patients with Wearable Bio-sensors
Remote patient monitoring is a tool that allows healthcare providers to monitor health conditions using wearable sensors and telecommunications technology. These digital sensors are typically used to track vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar. Some sensors can also track additional patient data, such as activity level, posture, and sleep patterns.
Hospitals utilized remote patient monitoring during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor COVID-19 patients remotely to reduce the risks for staff. However, there is long-term potential for remote monitoring to ease the burden on patients experiencing chronic illnesses. With the benefits of remote monitoring, patients don’t need to visit their primary care physician for healthcare services as often, saving time and money while reducing the risk of exposure to other illnesses.
4. Supporting The Acquisition of Medical Images Remotely
Telehealth technologies are not only used between patients and providers, but also as a way for providers to work together. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, medical providers had to find a way to work together virtually, which led to new processes enabling providers from across the nation to collaborate.
This shift to virtual collaborations allowed field experts to train and support colleagues by offering immediate guidance. Providers can share medical imaging or scans and consult with peers in real-time to offer patients a diagnosis, treatment, and medical education sooner.
5. Welcoming Patients to a Care Facility through Digital Front Doors
With younger generations growing up in the digital age, having to call a medical office to schedule an appointment can be an inconvenient task. Many providers already offer online scheduling services to make it easier for patients to schedule and modify appointments on their own time. Some providers will also allow patients to enter medical history, health insurance, and personal health information online before an appointment to reduce administrative duties.
Allowing patients to schedule, modify, and cancel their appointments will decrease late arrivals and no-shows. This allows providers to visit with more patients a day and patients to receive a diagnosis and treatment sooner.
Many healthcare organizations have started using a virtual check-in process that sends patients a notification, typically a text message, with a link for the patient to check in before entering the facility. In many cases, the patients will be asked to wait in the car instead of in a waiting room, and they will receive another message when a healthcare provider is ready to see them.
6. Enabling Interventional Physicians to Learn without having to Leave their Lab
Interventional physicians are specialists who do minimally invasive procedures rather than surgery or other treatments. These physicians have started using telecommunications technology to provide guidance and education when they cannot be in the same operating room. Typically, expert physicians would be in the operating room to provide on-the-job training. Still, the COVID-19 pandemic had the medical field looking for ways to connect while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
With telehealth platforms and video conferencing, interventional physicians can collaborate and provide remote support to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care. As the public health crisis calms down, virtual support may continue, as the convenience and benefits were made clear early on in the pandemic.
7. Offering Easy Access to Telehealth via a Virtual Care Station
While telehealth services have countless benefits and uses, patients must have access to reliable internet to use them. This can be an issue for rural communities, who already experience a lack of clinical services, and urban residents without internet access. As telehealth becomes more prevalent in our healthcare system, bridging this access gap is essential.
One step Phillips has taken is developing a Virtual Care Station, where patients can access telehealth services at a neighborhood location like a library or university. With a pod-style structure, patients can access a private room to attend a virtual appointment with their provider. These stations are equipped with telecommunication technology, including a camera, lighting, and speakers designed to provide clinicians with a high-quality view of the patient to diagnose conditions appropriately.
See also: Telemedicine In Rural Areas Guide
Benefits of Telehealth for Providers
Now that we’ve looked at some practical examples of telehealth technology, let’s dive into some of the primary benefits providers can experience from incorporating telehealth into their practice:
Improved Access to Medical Care
A population that has long experienced challenges in receiving medical care is rural communities. Rural residents encounter various barriers, including a shortage of local providers, distance to specialty care, and access to public transportation. Many patients can experience difficulties accessing health care services, and telecommunication technology is working to fill the gaps. With telehealth programs, rural communities can access patient care that was previously out of reach.
Patients with viral or infectious illnesses can also use telehealth technology to reduce the risk of spread. Patients can access call centers and nurses to determine what level of care they require and where to receive it. If additional healthcare services are necessary, a virtual appointment can be scheduled, allowing sick patients to receive care from home.
Higher Patient Engagement Rates
When patients can schedule and attend medical appointments virtually, they are more likely to seek medical care early on. Patients are more likely to choose providers who make it easy to schedule an appointment at a convenient time and place. With telehealth services, patients can easily schedule appointments in only a few minutes using a mobile device and can attend anywhere they can access a reliable internet connection.
Better Patient Outcomes
Patients that experience chronic conditions would typically have to visit a doctor’s office regularly to be appropriately monitored. By using remote patient monitoring, these patients can monitor their health remotely, giving them more time and freedom. This can significantly impact rural patients, who already experience challenges accessing local health care services.
Lower No-show Rates
Patients can miss appointments for various reasons, but a common cause is an unreliable means of transportation. This can impact all patients but is common among elderly patients without licenses or access to rideshare apps. With telehealth services, patients don’t have to stress about getting to their appointments, letting them focus on receiving patient care and health education.
Another benefit of telemedicine that reduces no-shows is online scheduling. Patients can schedule appointments at a time that works for them and receive reminders on their mobile devices. Patients are also less likely to skip out on healthcare services when they can easily attend through a telemedicine app from the comfort of home.
Cost-Cutting
Telemedicine reduces the cost for providers in a variety of ways, including:
- Reduced operating costs
- More flexible hours of operations
- Increased efficiency
- Lower overhead costs with virtual visits
By including telehealth technologies as an offering, providers can access a larger pool of patients outside of their local area. With the combined benefit of lower costs for virtual appointments and having access to more potential patients, many providers have started to include telehealth services in their practice.
Benefits of Telehealth for Patients
While there are plenty of benefits providers can experience, let’s take a look at how patients can benefit by using telehealth services to manage their personal health:
Improved Outcomes
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality conducted evidence-based research on telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that:
- A large portion of research found clinical outcomes with telehealth services are just as good or better than standard in-person care
- A significant amount of research supports telehealth services for remote patient monitoring, counseling patients with chronic conditions, and providing mental health services
As this research supports, telehealth services can provide patients with medical care without requiring them to visit a physical office regularly, improving the patient experience.
Immediate Accessibility
One benefit of using telehealth technology for mental health services is the immediate accessibility of care. When patients can access mental health professionals in a simple and accessible way, they are more likely to seek support on a regular basis, preventing risky behavior. By offering mental health services virtually, patients are granted more control and comfort in seeking support.
Fewer Complications
In the evidence-based research, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality conducted, 21 studies evaluating remote ICUs reported consistently lower mortality rates and reductions in the length of stay. These remote ICU teams mainly consisted of a physician intensivist, nurses, and administrative support.
Other related articles:
Telemedicine in Pediatrics Guide
Learn More with Geneca
If your team is ready to support patients by incorporating telehealth technologies into your practice, reach out to Geneca today!