5 Ways to Deliver Care, Remotely
Telehealth has become a massive buzzword recently. During the COVID-19 crisis, focus has been brought on how to deliver healthcare remotely. The safety concerns, compounded with how overwhelmed hospital staff are pushed telehealth solutions into the forefront. Medical practices found that they could reduce contact with patients by performing triage before a doctor's visit. This also reduced the number of patients needing to be seen by a doctor or nurse during business hours. With these results, it looks like telehealth is here to stay, but in what ways can nurses and doctors deliver care remotely? Thankfully, the options are wide and varied, just like your patients. The list is growing thanks to ingenious ideas and clever ways to use technology. Let's take a look at a number of ways telehealth can be delivered.
Phone calls: The most basic way to provide care remotely is by telephone. This can be used for everything from follow-up appointments to checking in on a patient's progress. Many practices offer prescription refills and after hours triage via telephone. Generally, this is a widely available option for patients as most have access to a telephone. It also gives a personal touch that some of the other methods lack. The largest consideration for handling phone calls is staffing. While some things may be asynchronous, direct discussion with a professional requires someone to be available to field a phone call.
Secure chat and messaging: This is a great option for patients who are more comfortable with text-based communication. It can also be used to send photos or videos, which is helpful for things like wound care assessment. Many electronic health record (EHR) systems have secure messaging built in. Services like Doxy.me and Healow allow for secure, HIPAA-compliant messaging between patients and providers. These methods allow staff to respond when they see the messages, without the fear of losing a phone call.
Live video streaming: Video calling platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype can be used to provide live consultations between patients and providers. This is great for cases where a physical examination is not necessary. These platforms can also be used to provide remote patient monitoring. This is especially useful for post-operative patients or those with chronic conditions. It allows providers to check in on patients without having to schedule an appointment or come into the office.
Patient portals: Most EHR systems have a patient portal where patients can access their medical records. This gives patients the ability to view their lab results, schedule appointments, and message their providers all in one place. While, not a direct means of telehealth, self-service options like this can reduce the number of phone calls and patient visits for more routine needs.
Remote patient monitoring: For patients with chronic conditions, remote patient monitoring (RPM) can be a game-changer. RPM allows providers to track a patient's vital signs and other health data remotely. This data can then be used to make changes to a patient's care plan as needed. RPM can be done via a number of devices, including fitness trackers, glucometers, and blood pressure cuffs. This data is then transmitted to the provider through a secure portal. RPM is a great way to reduce hospital readmissions and keep patients healthy at home.
Regardless of method, it is important to consider the resources available to patients as well. Many of these methods require some level of technology literacy. For those who are not comfortable with computers or smartphones, assistance may be needed to get started. Additionally, some methods may require a specific device, like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Practices should consider how they can provide the necessary resources to patients who need them.
These are just a few of the ways telehealth can be delivered. As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to providing care remotely. The best way to deliver care will vary depending on the needs of the patient and the resources available. What do you think? What are some other ways telehealth can be delivered? Share your ideas below!
