Sam Post Addressing Needs With Telehealth The Use Of Telehea

Sam Postaddressing Needs With Telehealththe Use Of Telehealth Enables

Sam Post, Addressing Needs with Telehealth The use of telehealth enables healthcare workers to communicate with patients via emails, phone, and other web-based programs or even digital media. This makes the interaction of health care workers and patients distance based. Telehealth is used in providing healthcare services to people living in rural areas or remote areas. It helps reduce the barriers to people accessing care services when they live away from healthcare service specialists. Telehealth allows people who have mobility issues or access restrictions to healthcare facilities.

Telehealth is effective in offering communication and counseling services to patients. Healthcare workers can use telehealth to monitor patients. Telehealth can be used in diabetes management and prevention of type 2 diabetes. This enables the delivery of affordable and evidence-based lifestyle change programs to patients to prevent or delay the chances of type 2 diabetes (Crilly & Kayyali, 2020). Telehealth can be used in providing tobacco cessation services.

Stroke management and epilepsy management can be done via Telehealth services. Proper telehealth and patient monitoring management assist in accessing and delivering healthcare services. This makes the process of providing care cost-effective and reliable. A good support infrastructure should be installed to deliver telehealth services properly. Addressing the challenge of healthcare workers’ shortage assists in the delivery of healthcare services.

Focus on patient engagement in the process of care delivery. Proper data collection and analyzing patient outcomes (Crilly & Kayyali, 2020). This ensures adequate patient management. Collaborating and connecting with other organizations assists in the delivery of healthcare services. References Crilly, P., & Kayyali, R. (2020). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of telehealth and digital technology use by community pharmacists to improve public health. Pharmacy, 8(3), 137. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from Sam, Patients and families participating in care planning is absolutely the best practice. The PCC environment is an initiative many facilities have implemented. Can you think of any potential problems that may develop in the PCC environment? Dr. HM.

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Patient-Centered Care (PCC) environments, especially those integrated with telehealth, have become a vital aspect of modern healthcare. They emphasize active participation by patients and their families in care planning, aiming to improve health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and overall care quality. However, while the integration of telehealth into PCC offers numerous benefits, it also presents potential challenges that healthcare providers must address to ensure optimal delivery of care.

Potential Challenges in the PCC Environment with Telehealth

One of the primary issues that can arise in a telehealth-enabled PCC environment is technology-related barriers. Not all patients have access to reliable internet connections or the necessary devices, such as smartphones or computers, which can limit their participation (Cline & Haynes, 2016). This digital divide can exacerbate disparities in care, especially among elderly populations, low-income groups, and those living in rural areas. Such inequities threaten the principle of patient-centeredness, which aims to tailor care to individual patient needs regardless of socioeconomic status (Nouri et al., 2019).

Another challenge relates to privacy and data security concerns. Telehealth involves the electronic transmission of sensitive health information, making it vulnerable to breaches and hacking (Kruse et al., 2017). Patients may feel hesitant to share personal health details if they lack confidence that their information is secure. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is crucial but can be costly and technically complex to implement, especially across multiple healthcare settings.

Furthermore, effective communication within PCC via telehealth depends on the technology’s usability. Patients with limited digital literacy may struggle with using telehealth platforms, leading to frustration and decreased engagement (Polinski et al., 2016). Miscommunication can result from technical glitches, less non-verbal cues, or difficulty interpreting virtual interactions, which might compromise the quality of patient-provider relationships (Shigekawa et al., 2018).

In addition, healthcare providers may experience challenges related to the coordination of care in a PCC setting. Telehealth requires seamless integration of electronic health records (EHR), scheduling, and communication systems. Without proper interoperability, there can be gaps, duplication, or delays in information sharing, negatively affecting patient safety and care continuity (Buntin et al., 2011).

Patient participation itself can also become problematic. Some patients may be reluctant to assume an active role in their care, preferring passive receipt of instructions from providers. Others might feel overwhelmed by the amount of information or assume that virtual care lacks the personal touch necessary for effective engagement (Davis et al., 2019). The success of PCC hinges on fostering a partnership that respects patient preferences and literacy levels, which can be difficult through digital interfaces alone.

Strategies to Mitigate These Problems

To address technology disparities, healthcare facilities can implement programs that provide devices or internet access subsidies to underserved populations. Education and training sessions on using telehealth platforms can enhance digital literacy, empowering patients to participate actively (Berry et al., 2020). Ensuring platforms are user-friendly and linguistically appropriate can improve engagement among diverse populations.

Addressing privacy and security issues involves adopting strict cybersecurity protocols, encrypting communications, and complying with relevant regulations like HIPAA. Transparent communication about data safety can also increase patient trust, encouraging more open participation in the care process (Kruse et al., 2017).

Improving communication effectiveness can involve training healthcare providers in virtual communication skills and ensuring platforms facilitate clear, non-verbal cues where possible. Combining telehealth with traditional face-to-face visits may help maintain personal connections and allow for more comprehensive engagement (Shigekawa et al., 2018).

Streamlining care coordination requires investing in interoperable EHR systems that enable real-time data sharing across providers and settings. Such integration minimizes errors, enhances continuity, and ensures that patients' information is comprehensive and accessible (Buntin et al., 2011).

Finally, fostering patient engagement can be achieved by involving patients in decision-making, respecting their autonomy, and providing educational resources tailored to literacy levels. Building a trusting relationship through consistent communication helps overcome resistance or apprehension toward active participation (Davis et al., 2019).

Conclusion

While integrating telehealth into PCC environments offers significant advantages such as increased access, convenience, and personalized care, it also introduces potential problems related to technology access, privacy, communication, care coordination, and patient engagement. Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, investment, and ongoing evaluation to optimize telehealth’s role in delivering truly patient-centered care that is equitable, secure, and responsive to individual needs.

References

  • Buntin, M. B., Burke, M. F., Hoaglin, M. C., & Blumenthal, D. (2011). The benefits of health information technology: A review of the recent literature shows predominantly positive results. Health Affairs, 30(3), 464-471.
  • Berry, N. J., Lagnado, R., & Evans, S. (2020). Digital health literacy for the underserved: Facilitating technological access and usability. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(6), e18046.
  • Crilly, P., & Kayyali, R. (2020). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of telehealth and digital technology use by community pharmacists to improve public health. Pharmacy, 8(3), 137.
  • Davis, S., Nahal, R., & Sohal, H. (2019). Patient engagement and shared decision-making in telehealth: A systematic review. Patient Education and Counseling, 102(6), 1124-1132.
  • Kruse, C. S., et al. (2017). Secure messaging and data security in telemedicine: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Systems, 41(5), 77.
  • Nouri, S., et al. (2019). Addressing digital health disparities: Improving access and usability for vulnerable populations. Telemedicine and e-Health, 25(9), 845-850.
  • Polinski, J. M., et al. (2016). Patient satisfaction and reported barriers to using telehealth in rural settings. Telemedicine and e-Health, 22(9), 769-776.
  • Shigekawa, E., et al. (2018). The current state of telehealth evidence: A systematic review. Health Affairs, 37(12), 1973–1982.