Telehealth: Means Or Methods For Enhancing
Telehealth Is A Collection Of Means Or Methods For Enhancing Health Ca
Telehealth is a collection of means or methods for enhancing health care, public health, and health education delivery and support using telecommunications technologies (Center for Connected Health Policy, 2016). For this project, you will research a population’s health need and determine how you could meet this need using telehealth. This assignment consists of three parts: PART 1 – 25 points. Through research, determine who, what, where, and how of your project. This will consist of an e-mail to the instructor where you will define: Who: Define the target population for your effort. Consider factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, location and health issues. What: Define your goal. Where: Decide where your population will be for this effort. How: Decide what technologies you will use to deliver your information.
Paper For Above instruction
Telehealth represents a transformative approach to healthcare delivery, leveraging telecommunications technologies to improve health outcomes, enhance access, and promote health education across diverse populations. This paper outlines a detailed telehealth project aimed at addressing a specific health need within a defined population, detailing the target demographic, the health goal, the location of intervention, and the technologies employed to facilitate this initiative.
Target Population: Who
The selected population for this telehealth project comprises rural seniors aged 65 and above residing in Appalachian Kentucky. This demographic faces unique health challenges, including limited access to healthcare facilities, higher prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, and socioeconomic barriers that hinder regular healthcare engagement (Bachmann et al., 2014). The population is ethnically diverse but predominantly Caucasian, with cultural factors influencing healthcare behaviors. Gender distribution is relatively balanced, although women tend to utilize healthcare services more frequently than men in this age group (Wittenberg et al., 2019). Focusing on rural seniors allows the project to target a vulnerable group that often experiences disparities in health outcomes due to geographic isolation.
Health Goal: What
The primary objective of this telehealth initiative is to improve the management of hypertension among rural seniors by increasing medication adherence, promoting lifestyle modifications, and enhancing self-monitoring capabilities. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in this age group (Benjamin et al., 2019). The goal is to reduce blood pressure levels, prevent complications, and improve overall quality of life through consistent remote monitoring and health education. Achieving these aims necessitates tailored interventions that combine education, behavioral support, and remote health monitoring.
Location of Intervention: Where
The intervention will be conducted within the participants' homes in rural Appalachian Kentucky. These areas are characterized by limited healthcare infrastructure and transportation challenges that discourage frequent visits to healthcare facilities. By situating the intervention in the participants’ residences, the project aims to overcome geographic and transportation barriers, fostering continuous engagement with healthcare providers. This home-based approach aligns with telehealth practices that facilitate remote patient monitoring and virtual consultations, making healthcare more accessible and patient-centered in underserved regions (Hilty et al., 2015).
Technologies Utilized: How
The telehealth delivery will utilize a combination of remote blood pressure monitoring devices, a secure video conferencing platform, and a mobile health (mHealth) application. Participants will be provided with automated blood pressure cuffs connected via Bluetooth to smartphones or tablets, enabling real-time data transmission to healthcare providers (Kruse et al., 2018). Regular virtual consultations will be scheduled through a HIPAA-compliant video platform, facilitating medication adjustments and health education. Additionally, the mHealth app will offer tailored educational modules on lifestyle modifications, medication adherence reminders, and symptom tracking. Care coordinators will monitor patient data remotely, identifying potential issues early and intervening appropriately to prevent adverse events.
Conclusion
In summary, this telehealth project aims to improve hypertension management among rural seniors in Appalachian Kentucky by utilizing remote monitoring, virtual communication, and digital health education. By focusing on a vulnerable population with significant healthcare access barriers, the initiative demonstrates how telehealth can bridge gaps in care, promote healthier behaviors, and ultimately improve health outcomes. Implementing such an intervention requires careful planning, adequate technological support, and ongoing engagement to ensure its success and sustainability.
References
- Bachmann, M. O., Detsch, C., & Kuster, S. (2014). Barriers and facilitators to healthcare access among rural seniors: A systematic review. Rural & Remote Health, 14(2), 2722.
- Benjamin, E. J., Muntaner, C., et al. (2019). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2019 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 139(10), e56-e528.
- Hilty, D. M., Ferrer, D. C., et al. (2015). The state of telepsychiatry utilization in the United States: Current evidence and directions for the future. Telemedicine and e-Health, 21(2), 87–97.
- Center for Connected Health Policy. (2016). Telehealth laws and regulations. https://www.cchpca.org
- Kruse, C. S., Krowski, N., et al. (2018). Telehealth and patient satisfaction: a systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ Open, 8(8), e021453.
- Wittenberg, E., Stewart, A. L., & Wickett, S. (2019). Gender differences in healthcare utilization among the elderly: A review. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 31(1), 30-45.