Voice of the Industry—Three Challenges (and How to Overcome them) Revealed in the New World of Telehealth

The proliferation of telemedicine in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 is critical to providing the necessary care to at-risk patients. In fact, many state governments Striving to expand telemedicine Within the Medicaid program, we also relax restrictions to allow for faster implementation.

And this tendency It doesn’t come back soon..

This becomes even more important given that patients are very cautious about face-to-face as a result of a global pandemic. A visit to your primary care physician About 60% In early April, and although the momentum began to change, the overall number of visits was Almost 20% Compared to a typical level.

This is of concern because the chronic condition has not diminished. People still need help managing their health. And the threat here is serious. Patients may be delaying necessary care due to fear of coronavirus To death..

Relation: Poll: Medicare Advantage members are working on telemedicine

While promising, accelerating telehealth is accompanied by some speed bumps revealed by the rapid transition to video conferencing and phone-based appointments.

Problems generally fall into three categories.

1. Access. Video conferencing is not an option for everyone. Internet access is a problem for different populations across the United States. For example, more than a quarter of people over the age of 65 Don’t use the internet, 21% of American countryside say access to high speed Internet is a problem.. In addition, some populations may be hampered by mobile data costs. Patient needs vary on a case-by-case basis and there is no comprehensive way to meet these needs equally.

To address this, providers need to include traditional phone and text messaging as a way to provide telemedicine services and healthcare education. Full 96% of US adults Have a mobile phone It’s sort of a thing, and it’s safe to say that the vast majority of people who don’t own a cell phone can access it through their family or have a traditional landline. Also, it may be easier or preferable to use a text-based conversation rather than waiting for the doctor to appear on the screen. This can take 20 minutes or more after the patient logs on.

Relation: UnitedHealth Executives: Patients Use Telehealth for Convenience, Not When Needed

2. Remember At home, distraction at home can be a problem. When a patient speaks with their doctor at home, there are several factors that can interfere with care. The patient’s dog may be barking out of control, the TV is noisy, or the child is in need of attention. Simply put, the environment is very different from an interview in a clinic where patients tend to be focused.

Distractions can adversely affect how well a patient understands and obeys the information and advice they are given.

It is already difficult for patients to remember everything covered by the provider during their visit, and telehealth can make it even worse. This requires a system that allows physicians to quickly and accurately summarize what is important to their patients.

Relation: Trump signs executive order to expand telemedicine and strengthen rural health

3. Coordination.. In this unique era of isolation, it is difficult to help friends and family interpret medical information. Patients, especially the elderly, often take families to an appointment to help them better understand the conversation.

This is difficult to do for telemedicine or face-to-face appointments, as social separation measures are still in effect.

Coordinating care and keeping people on the same page are key elements for good results. As a Harvard Public Health Review put itIf the patient does not understand what is being said, the quality of care provided by the healthcare professional is not important. Not just effective communication Improve patient outcomes, It makes healthcare more cost-effective and allows the system to reinvest savings into the organization.

Here it is important to track the interaction between the patient and the doctor. Coordination of care will be a more seamless and efficient process if there is a record at hand including what has been discussed and the next recommended steps in the patient care pathway.

The global pandemic has revolutionized the way doctors and patients deliver and receive care.

As well as new processes and technologies, challenges are shared and there is a learning curve that makes both patients and providers more effective users of telemedicine. After all, preparing both sides with the right tools will be a big step towards making the transition more seamless.

Sibulao, MD is a co-founder and CEO of Abridge, a company focused on bringing context and understanding to all medical conversations, and a faculty and cardiologist at UPMC’s Cardiovascular Institute. ..