Perspectives: Telehealth as Infrastructure–Building a Financially and Clinically Sustainable Virtual Channel

March 19, 2026 | by | No Comments

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s topic is how clinicians can take advantage of the telehealth flexibilities extension to 2027 by integrating telehealth and virtual care fully within their operational workflow and within patient care. The author, Matthew Order, is Vice President of Business Development at Yosi Health. He has more than 20 years of healthcare technology and SaaS experience including previous roles at MEDITECH, athenahealth and Buoy Health. At Yosi, he leads enterprise adoption across health systems, translating product integrations into measurable operational improvements for practices and patients.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently extended many Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. That policy decision signals what providers already know: telehealth is no longer a short-term option to expand access to care, but a permanent channel of care delivery.

That policy certainty is welcome, but it also exposes a hard truth: simply offering video visits won’t deliver value unless telehealth is embedded into the day-to-day operational workflows of the practice. Clinics that want telehealth to reduce cost, improve access, and protect revenue must redesign the patient journey so virtual care is predictable, reimbursable and measurable.

Here are the practical, operational steps clinics should take now.

Move pre-visit upstream

The biggest operational losses happen around patient visits, e.g. when intake is incomplete, insurance is unknown, or staff must chase missing information. One way to change this is by moving pre-visit work upstream: require or encourage patients to complete digital intake forms before an appointment and surface those discrete data fields directly into the chart. This isn’t just a patient convenience, it fundamentally changes how front-office work gets done. Studies show that centralizing reminders and automating pre-visit tasks improves appointment utilization and reduces no-shows, two levers that matter for telehealth ROI.

Treat eligibility as clinical infrastructure, not an afterthought

Nothing kills collections faster than an unpaid copay or an ineligible telehealth claim. Embed real-time eligibility and benefits checks into the pre-visit flow so patients see their financial responsibilities before the encounter and staff can resolve red flags ahead of time. Organizations that operationalize eligibility verification as a revenue-cycle control point report fewer denials and faster time-to-cash. This is the difference between telehealth being a marginal convenience and a reliable revenue stream.

Design rule-based automation for phone and scheduling channels

Studies show over 60% appointments are still made by phone. If your telehealth offering can’t integrate with phone volume and scheduling rules, it is difficult to scale. Deploy rule-based automation that reads live availability, applies clinic booking policies, verifies benefits, and either completes the booking or hands off with full context to a human. For transactional tasks, rule-based systems often outperform free-form AI systems because they reduce follow-ups, corrections, and operational risk.

Measure clinical and financial outcomes, not vanity metrics

Define a tight set of KPIs tied to margin and access: completed telehealth visit rate, no-show reduction, denial rate for telehealth claims, point-of-service collections, and staff minutes reclaimed per patient. A simple 60–90 day pilot with baseline and target thresholds will tell you whether integration and automation are working. And instrument technical reliability as well; API success rates, data mapping accuracy, and escalation quality matter just as much as outcomes.

Protect equity and patient experience as you scale

Telehealth should expand access, not create new disparities. Make digital intake mobile-first and low-bandwidth, provide multilingual options, and maintain assisted touchpoints (phone registration, in-clinic support) for patients who need them. Evaluate patient satisfaction specifically by channel; a good telehealth system should reduce friction, not shift it elsewhere.

Make governance non-negotiable

Without clear operational ownership, telehealth programs drift and performance deteriorates. Who owns booking rules? Who maintains payer mappings? What are clear escalation policies for clinical red flags? Assign cross-functional ownership (e.g. operations, revenue cycle, clinical leaders, and IT) and lock in a change-control cadence that prevents “rule drift” as policies and payer contracts change. Evidence that EHR workload-per-visit can rise even when visit volume falls illustrates why governance and workflow redesign must accompany modality shifts.

Pilot pragmatically—and scale what earns results

Don’t rip-and-replace overnight. Start with two tightly scoped pilots: for example, telehealth follow-ups for chronic care and virtual urgent visits for same-day access. Keep pilots time-boxed, assign a process owner, and require week-over-week reporting on the KPIs that impact margin and access. If real-time eligibility and pre-visit intake reduce denials and nursing callbacks in the pilot, scale; if not, iterate.

Why this matters now

Policy windows like CMS’s telehealth extension present a rare opportunity – but only practices that pair clinical intent with operational discipline will secure lasting gains. With continued Medicaid churn and administrative pressure on primary care, clinics can’t afford telehealth programs that add friction or unpredictability. Integrating intake, eligibility verification, automation, and governance turns telehealth into a reliable channel for expanding access and stabilizing revenue. Recent analyses from KFF highlight how enrollment volatility is already increasing administrative burden across care settings.

By operationalizing telehealth – moving work upstream, protecting revenue at intake, automating predictable tasks, and measuring what counts – clinics can shift from friction to flow. That’s the difference between telehealth that breaks even and telehealth that delivers sustainable access, better outcomes, and measurable financial returns.

Perspectives: Bridging the Gap in Rural Healthcare Through Telehealth

April 7, 2025 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s topic is the closure of rural hospitals and whether telehealth can bridge this access gap. The author, Hari Prasad, is co-founder and CEO of  Yosi Health, a full-service technology ecosystem that connects patients with their providers through the entire care journey before, during and after the visit, creating delightful patient experiences and modernizing the entire healthcare patient experience. 

Rural hospitals across the United States are at risk of closing especially if Medicare and Medicaid cuts are enacted. According to a March 2025 report by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, over the past two decades, nearly 200 rural hospitals have already closed. It’s an economic reality that could leave hundreds of thousands of Americans without local medical care.

Rural communities, which already face challenges related to limited healthcare resources, transportation, as well as staffing and economic constraints, are likely to experience even greater disparities in access to essential services. As these hospitals and clinics face potential shutdowns, telehealth is emerging as a critical tool to maintain healthcare connectivity and improve patient outcomes in these underserved areas.

The threat of rural hospital closures has far-reaching implications. For many residents, these facilities provide not only emergency care but also routine health services, chronic disease management, and preventive screenings. With the loss of a nearby hospital, patients are often forced to travel long distances for care—a situation that can delay treatment and exacerbate health conditions. Additionally, the closure of rural hospitals often leads to increased pressure on remaining facilities, further straining resources and limiting access.

Telehealth, which allows patients to connect with healthcare providers through digital platforms, offers a promising solution to these challenges. By enabling virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and digital care coordination, telehealth can mitigate some of the negative effects of hospital closures. It provides patients with timely access to medical advice and treatment without the need for long, costly journeys to distant facilities.

In my experience at Yosi Health, we are witnessing a notable trend: rural healthcare providers are increasingly turning to telehealth as a means of bridging the access gap. Digital tools and virtual care platforms have evolved to support not only routine consultations but also more complex care management needs. For example, remote patient monitoring is now being used to track chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, ensuring that patients receive ongoing care – without the constant need for in-person visits.

Furthermore, telehealth solutions are proving effective in reducing hospital strain. By diverting non-emergency cases from overcrowded emergency departments, these platforms help ensure that hospital resources are preserved for patients in critical need. Virtual visits can also lead to more efficient use of healthcare resources, allowing providers to manage larger patient loads with improved workflow efficiencies.

There are, however, challenges that must be addressed for telehealth to reach its full potential in rural areas. One of the key issues is the digital divide. While broadband expansion initiatives and improved rural telecommunications infrastructure are making strides, many rural communities still lack reliable internet access—a crucial component for successful telehealth implementation. Policymakers at the state and federal levels, including considerations in the Federal 2026 budget, are beginning to recognize the importance of investing in these areas. Such investments are essential to ensure that telehealth can serve as a viable alternative to in-person care in rural settings.

Another challenge is ensuring that telehealth services are fully integrated with existing healthcare systems. Interoperability between telehealth platforms and electronic medical records (EMRs) is vital to maintain a seamless flow of patient information, which in turn supports continuity of care. As more healthcare providers adopt digital solutions, the need for standardization and robust data exchange protocols becomes increasingly important.

Ultimately, while telehealth is not a complete substitute for all in-person care, it is a powerful tool that can help maintain continuity in the face of rural hospital closures. By improving access to care, reducing travel burdens, and alleviating pressure on overstretched facilities, telehealth can play a central role in preserving the health of rural populations.

The ongoing evolution of telehealth technology offers a hopeful outlook for rural healthcare. As innovations continue to improve service delivery and integration, it is imperative for stakeholders—providers, policymakers, and technology developers alike—to collaborate in expanding these solutions. In doing so, we can help ensure that rural communities are not left behind, but instead have access to the high-quality, timely care they deserve.

For Perspectives editorial and additional opportunities such as supporting TTA through advertising, contact Editor Donna.

Perspectives: As police step back from mental health calls, telepsychiatry steps forward

March 26, 2025 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Our hot topic today is community mental health crisis response, and the role that telepsychiatry can play in an integrated approach to  prevent crises from escalating. Today’s contribution is from Andy Flanagan of Iris Telehealth. As CEO, he drives strategy, operations, and culture, leveraging his extensive healthcare and leadership experience. A four-time CEO with a background in global health tech, he holds degrees from Northwestern and the University of Nevada, Reno.

Law enforcement is stepping back from mental health crisis response. Sacramento County Sheriff recently announced deputies will no longer respond to non-criminal mental health calls, citing a recent Ninth Circuit Court ruling that questioned police involvement where no crime has occurred.

Sacramento isn’t alone. In Austin, Texas, the police union president declared that “the Austin Police Department must stop responding to mental health calls,” as reported by Fox 7 Austin.

Law enforcement is underequipped for mental health crises. But who should respond instead? How do we build a system that connects people in crisis with appropriate care?

The answer lies in creating integrated crisis response systems that combine trained mental health professionals, community resources and telepsychiatry to ensure people in crisis get immediate access to appropriate care, regardless of location or timing.

The current crisis

In Austin alone, police responded to 34,000-52,000 mental health calls annually since 2020. Nationally, the burden is immense, with behavioral health-related emergency department (ED) visits doubling from 2011 to 2020, now reaching approximately 47 visits per 100 people.

When law enforcement withdraws from mental health response, this pressure shifts to already strained emergency departments. Without alternative systems in place, people experiencing mental health crises have nowhere to turn except hospital EDs, leading to overcrowding, extended wait times and less-than-optimal care environments for behavioral health needs.

First responders face an impossible task. Most receive minimal mental health training — often just 40 to 120 hours — compared to the years of specialized education mental health clinicians receive. This gap creates dangerous situations like the DeSilva case that prompted the Ninth Circuit ruling.

A better approach

Communities are discovering more effective models for mental health crisis response. The nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides immediate access to trained counselors, while integrated crisis response systems — like Austin’s approach of offering mental health services as a 911 option — show promising results. When Austin callers select mental health services, they’re connected with Integral Care clinicians who conduct assessments, provide support and deploy mobile crisis teams when needed. According to Fox 7 Austin, 87% of these calls are resolved without police involvement.

Specialized mental health professionals are the cornerstone of these systems. These experts bring the right training and perspective to de-escalate situations, connect individuals to appropriate resources and provide trauma-informed care. Unlike law enforcement, their approach centers on therapeutic intervention rather than control and containment.

Technology bridges access to specialized services. Telepsychiatry enables immediate access to mental health expertise, even when providers aren’t physically present. Digital platforms can connect crisis responders with psychiatrists for real-time consultation, ensuring appropriate assessment and care planning from the first point of contact. This is particularly valuable for rural communities with provider shortages, where in-person mental health specialists may not be readily available.

The role of telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry platforms connect patients directly to behavioral health expertise before crises escalate. Today’s technology enables immediate access to qualified mental health professionals through smartphone apps, community centers and EDs. Modern systems incorporate AI-driven analytics to optimize patient scheduling and resource allocation without replacing clinical judgment.

The benefits are immediate for patients who receive specialized care within 30-45 minutes versus traditional ED visits taking 2+ hours. Healthcare providers gain psychiatric expertise without maintaining 24/7 in-house specialists, addressing a critical gap where 54% of U.S. hospitals have no psychiatrists available for ED and inpatient consultation services. When telepsychiatry is effectively implemented, health systems experience reduced boarding times, lower admission rates and improved emergency department throughput. One hospital avoided more than $1.7 million in boarding costs with a 281% return on investment, while another reduced psychiatric patient length of stay by 70%.

Technology works best when enhancing human expertise, not replacing it. A recent Iris Telehealth survey found 41% of respondents would feel comfortable receiving treatment recommendations from AI-powered mental health tools, and 33% would leverage these tools if integrated into services they already use (think telehealth platforms or primary care visits).

As law enforcement rightfully steps back from mental health crisis response, we must step forward with integrated solutions that combine human expertise and technology. Telepsychiatry represents one critical piece of a comprehensive approach connecting people in crisis with appropriate care.

For Perspectives editorial and additional opportunities such as supporting TTA through advertising, contact Editor Donna.

Perspectives: Telehealth Expands Access to Addiction Treatment and Specialized Care, But Navigating Regulations Remains Key

March 18, 2025 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Telehealth extensions, especially for controlled substances, are hot topics and here is another Perspectives on this topic. Today’s contribution is from Nate MacLeitch, CEO and founder of QuickBlox, an AI communication platform. He is a seasoned business leader with deep expertise in telecom, media, software, and technology, having held leadership roles at WIN Plc (now Cisco) and Twistbox Entertainment (now Digital Turbine). He also advises and invests in startups and holds degrees from UC Davis and the London School of Economics.

Telehealth’s really made a huge difference in who can get good medical care. By enabling health system leaders to connect more patients to doctors, 91% now report having a telehealth program in place.

Even so, accessibility to prescriptions and proper healthcare remains a critical issue in the US. A systematic review of 185 studies found that 54% of cases indicated how disability or chronic health conditions create barriers to medication access. Race contributed to 28% of reported barriers, while income and education levels were factors in 30% of the studies. Furthermore, half identified a lack of available treatment or healthcare practitioners as a significant structural barrier.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) recent announcement to make permanent three telehealth regulations increases access to vital medical services—particularly addiction treatment, specialized care, and care for veterans. Here’s what telehealth providers need to know.

The DEA’s latest ruling

Telehealth is a necessary avenue to solve accessibility barriers, however, it comes with its own challenges. Patient safety and preventing the diversion of medications into the illicit drug market are at the heart of the DEA’s amendments. See the three latest rules below:

Expansion of buprenorphine treatment via telemedicine encounter

The allowance of initial buprenorphine prescriptions via telephone consultations for up to a six-month supply addresses a critical need in combating opioid addiction. This removes a major barrier for individuals seeking treatment, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Practitioners must note that the requirement for subsequent in-person visits ensures a balance between accessibility and safe patient care. Further telemedicine prescriptions following this period may be permitted but will first require an in-person visit to a medical provider.

Telehealth platforms should be designed to facilitate these initial consultations, seamlessly integrate with existing healthcare systems, and automatically notify patients and practitioners when the six-month window is completed.

Special registrations for telemedicine and limited state telemedicine registrations

The introduction of special registrations for telemedicine, including the ability for medical practitioners to prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances without prior in-person evaluations, significantly broadens the scope of telehealth. This helps patients struggling with conditions such as sleep disorders, diarrhea, and anxiety to receive ongoing medication management.

For Schedule II medications, which are more addictive and prone to diversion to the illegal drug market, the DEA established an advanced telemedicine prescribing registration. Certain Schedule II medications are prescribable via telehealth but require the medical practitioner to be board-certified in one of the following specialties: psychiatrists; hospice care physicians; physicians rendering treatment at long-term care facilities, and pediatricians.

While the DEA currently only allows certain types of doctors to use telehealth to prescribe controlled medications, it asks the public to comment on any needs and reasons for expanding this list. The agency’s consideration in making it easier to use telehealth for treating complicated health problems is a good sign for the future of virtual healthcare.

In the meantime, telehealth providers can help clients and partners identify practitioners’ certifications and monitor and restrict prescription types based on their associated authorities within the platform.

Continuity of care via telemedicine for Veterans Affairs patients

The clarification regarding continuity of care for Veterans Affairs patients via telemedicine is a welcome development. By extending the provider-patient relationship established during an initial in-person visit to all US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners using telehealth, the VA is streamlining care coordination and improving veterans’ access to required medication.

Telehealth providers must support secure communication and data sharing between platforms and the VA system, further enhancing the continuity of care for veterans.

How automatic notifications can help

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Perspectives: How the DEA Telehealth Extension Impacts Patient Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatments & Buprenorphine Prescriptions

March 11, 2025 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Telehealth extensions, including those for controlled substances, are hot topics and before the US Congress today. Today’s contribution is from Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician and the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. With extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment. She completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty of the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Telemedicine flexibilities for buprenorphine, the controlled substance recognized for its high safety profile in treating opioid disorder (OUD), will live to see another year after being re-extended through December 31, 2025. That is, for now.

Federal regulators first leveled the access playing field to buprenorphine in 2020, in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The pandemic-friendly policy change allowed buprenorphine administrators to prescribe the substance via telehealth, waiving the previously required in-person patient evaluation.

Renewals granted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have since kept telemedicine flexibilities for controlled substances alive.

With these protections in place, the treatment landscape for opioid use disorder looks bright, but one overturned ruling from the incoming Trump Administration could change everything.

Buprenorphine hasn’t always been as widely accessible as it is today.

It wasn’t too long ago when buprenorphine prescribers had their hands tied, with regulations like the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008, a previous DEA-enforced statute that prohibited them from prescribing buprenorphine over the internet.

Things changed once the DEA dialed back on their telemedicine restrictions in March 2020, permitting providers to prescribe buprenorphine via telehealth platforms and waiving the required initial in-person visit.

Later-released studies that analyzed patient data for “low-threshold” buprenorphine treatment programs, many of which were offered at COVID-19 isolation sites and out of mobile vans, revealed that telemedicine showed much promise in successfully engaging patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This included rural residents, veterans, and homeless individuals seeking continued buprenorphine-based treatment.

Such telehealth programs were reported to have high patient engagement numbers in the areas of acceptability and feasibility. For instance, many feasibility studies reported a 60% or higher rate of continued engagement after 30 days of initial prescription.

There are a couple of downsides to telehealth-administered buprenorphine, and that’s patient selection and monitoring. Telemedicine is most appropriate for patients who do not have a lot of unmet psychosocial needs, and who can stabilize, manage meds appropriately, and otherwise have more recovery-related resources.

It may also not be a good option for patients who are struggling with multiple substances or have unmet medical or psychiatric needs.  So, it is not the appropriate care setting for everyone.  However, there are many pros to it, including accessibility, convenience, and lower access barriers than some in-person options.

Policy extensions have bought the DEA more time to rethink telemedicine’s future.

After receiving public feedback on a set of newer proposed telemedicine rules, the DEA and HHS have since worked diligently to release more permanent regulatory updates.

To justify their decisions on how to regulate buprenorphine prescriptions moving forward, these federal agencies have largely leaned on evidence-based studies published in scientific journals. Expanded access to treatment services through telehealth is likely one of the reasons why the country has seen a recent drop in overdose death rates, among other factors.

In one study that assessed patient retention rates for an urban buprenorphine treatment program, the patient show rate increased from 74.1% for prior routine in-person visits to 91.7% for telehealth visits. In another study that focused on patient experiences with buprenorphine telehealth treatments, 84.5% of participants reported having overall positive outcomes.

I am hopeful that DEA will recognize that the current rules have allowed greater access for patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders and mental health, and move to make permanent access to buprenorphine via telehealth.

For Perspectives editorial and additional opportunities such as supporting TTA through advertising, contact Editor Donna.

Perspectives: Three Strategies to Bring Digital-First Care to Patients Through Telehealth

January 22, 2025 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s contribution is from Jessica Wagner, Chief Operating Officer at RXNT, who leverages extensive customer insight, product expertise, and organizational experience to address challenges in the healthcare industry. With a background spanning roles in product management, sales, and marketing, she is dedicated to delivering software solutions that simplify operations for healthcare organizations, enabling them to focus on patient care. Wagner holds a Master’s in Technology Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Palm Beach Atlantic.

This article highlights the findings of their recently published report, “Tracking the Impact of Technology on Patient Satisfaction Within the US Healthcare System”, available for download here.

Today’s patients expect flexible, convenient, digital-first healthcare experiences. Telehealth can address many of these needs by reducing travel time, eliminating long waits, and allowing remote consultations. However, if practices fail to communicate telehealth’s availability and benefits, patients may remain unaware or skeptical.

Our 2024 survey report uncovered that difficulty scheduling appointments (42%) and long wait times (38%) are two leading causes of patient dissatisfaction—barriers that telehealth can help overcome by offering quicker and more flexible access to care. On top of that, over half of patients surveyed believe introducing more technology would improve their healthcare experience, and 35% say they’d consider switching providers for better digital services.

When telehealth flexibilities are a core component of your business strategy, it shows patients you’re committed to facilitating the modern, seamless care experience they expect. Here are three steps your practice can take to make this happen:

1. Promote Telehealth Services on Your Website’s Landing Page

Your website is your digital front door. When patients land on your homepage—new or existing—they should see whether you offer telehealth and how they can access it. Showcase telehealth with a bold call-to-action button, short explanatory text, and clear benefits:

  • Explain “Why Telehealth?”
    Use bullet points or a concise paragraph to clarify common patient questions and the benefits of telehealth, such as reduced travel time, minimized exposure risks, and convenient, timely appointments from anywhere.
  • Highlight Ease of Scheduling
    2 in 5 patients say it’s hard to get in touch with healthcare professionals for appointments. Highlight that your telehealth booking process is designed to be quick and simple with no phone tag necessary.
  • Offer Patient Testimonials
    If available, share—in a HIPAA-compliant manner—a testimonial or quote from a patient that shows how telehealth saved time, money, or both.

2. Update Online Profiles and Manage Reviews; Include Your Telehealth Services

Patients increasingly rely on online reviews and listings to find providers they can trust. Ensure that Google My Business, Healthgrades, WebMD, Yelp, and more reflect your telemedicine appointment options so that potential patients know you’re ready to meet their digital preferences.

  • Emphasize Digital Convenience
    Fifty-five percent of patients prefer using a mobile application to manage appointments. On each profile, detail how you make remote care accessible, whether via a proprietary app or a web-based portal.
  • Mention Text and Email Reminders
    Nearly 9 in 10 consumers say they find text notifications valuable. If your practice utilizes text reminders for telehealth, call it out under the “Services” section or description.
  • Provide Easy Booking Links
    Link directly to your telehealth scheduling tool to simplify the process. The fewer clicks it takes, the more likely patients are to book a virtual consultation.

3. Offer Telehealth for Every Applicable Client Appointment

Sometimes, patients need an extra nudge to try telehealth. Encourage staff, particularly receptionists or schedulers, to mention remote appointments whenever it’s clinically appropriate.

  • Alleviate Communication Woes
    Poor communication with healthcare providers is the top complaint among unsatisfied patients. To combat this, telehealth platforms often include built-in messaging features that give patients a direct line of communication to manage care and help reduce missed connections.
  • Showcase Time Savings
    Highlight how telehealth can minimize time off work or away from family. The more you can personalize these perks, the greater the likelihood that patients will opt in. As an example, write something like, “Have your appointment from home in 15 minutes.”
  • Normalize Telehealth as a Standard Option
    Even in routine appointment reminders or automated messages, include “Switch to a telehealth appointment!” prompt. Present virtual care as routine to foster acceptance among those who might otherwise only consider in-person visits.

Meeting Patient Needs in a Modern World

Telehealth has become a vital part of modern healthcare strategy. Showcasing its benefits in as many places as possible will highlight its convenience and reinforce your commitment to meeting the changing needs of your patients.

Our survey data suggests that effectively communicating your telehealth offerings can provide a significant competitive edge. In today’s healthcare space, success means delivering it on patients’ terms: where, when, and how they need it.

Perspectives: How Telehealth is Transforming Access for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Patients

December 13, 2024 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s contribution is from Mark Knudsen, the president of AMN Language Services. Mark brings experience from previous roles at AMN Healthcare, Synzi, and Stratus Video. He holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theological Studies at Regent College. AMN Healthcare Language Services (AMN LS) is a healthcare language solutions provider that offers a range of services for patients with limited English proficiency, hearing impairments, or deafness. 

For millions of Americans with limited English proficiency (LEP), accessing healthcare can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.

Telehealth, once considered a temporary solution to the pandemic, is filling in those gaps, removing language barriers that have long hindered LEP patients from understanding their care. It is clearly here to stay.

The integration of medically trained language interpreters into many telehealth platforms has been making it easier for LEP patients and those who are deaf or hard of hearing to converse with healthcare providers in their preferred language, and ultimately, providing better quality care for patients. This access is essential for effective diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, helping patients understand their health information.

In rural or underserved areas, where access to specialized healthcare is limited, telehealth becomes especially valuable. Finding qualified bilingual providers or medically qualified interpreters who speak specific languages in these regions is often challenging. Telehealth overcomes this obstacle by connecting LEP patients with language-appropriate care from professionals across the country. This not only reduces travel burdens but also minimizes misunderstandings that could lead to incorrect treatments, offering patients a reliable, culturally competent care experience.

Telehealth’s cost-effectiveness is another advantage. Telehealth consultations are generally more affordable than in-person visits, and the built-in interpretation services help lower access barriers for patients. For healthcare organizations, telehealth also presents a scalable, sustainable approach to language access, allowing them to provide high-quality care to diverse populations without the logistical challenges and costs of in-person interpretation.

However, telehealth still faces challenges in ensuring equitable language access. Some platforms lack sufficient language and accessibility features, creating frustrations for LEP patients. Additionally, some healthcare providers may try to “shortcut” interpretation by relying on family members or unqualified bilingual staff instead of trained medical interpreters. While this may seem practical in the moment, it’s not an adequate substitute for professional interpretation, can lead to misunderstandings that compromise care, and in most cases is considered a violation of the patient’s civil rights under the Affordable Care Act.

Integrating language services seamlessly into the telehealth workflow is also key. If language support isn’t user-friendly, it can create extra burdens for both patients and providers. Patients may struggle to navigate complex systems to request interpretation, while providers may face disruptions. Without careful integration, telehealth’s potential for LEP populations is limited by poor user experience.

To fully realize telehealth’s potential, care delivery platforms must prioritize accessibility and patient experience, designing features that provide equitable access to quality care. This means genuinely understanding the needs of LEP and deaf or hard-of-hearing patients and offering effective communication channels.

Telehealth is becoming a staple in healthcare and the focus is shifting toward making it a permanent, optimized part of healthcare delivery and integrating it with existing platforms such as EHR systems. Incorporating language interpretation services into these platforms could clearly streamline workflows for clinicians, making it easier to connect patients with the right resources with a click of a button.

Additionally, integrating language services into telehealth workflows could not only improve the patient experience and patient care but also improve clinician satisfaction by reducing administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on patient care rather than logistical issues. This streamlined process can lead to higher job satisfaction and potentially reduce burnout rates for physicians and nurses alike.

The future of telehealth lies not just in maintaining its accessibility but in reimagining how it can serve every patient, regardless of language or ability. The responsibility rests on healthcare providers and tech innovators to forge a path where language and hearing impairments are no longer obstacles to quality care. The real challenge now? Not simply to sustain telehealth, but to elevate it to a level where it is genuinely inclusive, fully intuitive, and universally transformative.

Perspectives: Virtual Nursing Optimism Grows, But Providers Remain in Early Stages

December 10, 2024 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s contribution is from Lisbeth Votruba, MSN, RN, CAVRN, the Chief Clinical Officer for AvaSure. She is a pioneering nurse executive committed to continuous improvement of healthcare and the diffusion of new technologies to drive patient and staff safety. Her Master of Science in Nursing is from Columbia University School of Nursing. In this article, Ms. Votruba reviews the state of virtual nursing in US health systems and how they can progress into a system-wide strategy for integrating virtual care into widespread clinical use. AvaSure is an intelligent virtual care platform that deploys AI-powered virtual sitting and virtual nursing solutions and is a trusted partner of 1,100+ hospitals with experience in over 5,000 deployments.

Looking at healthcare news headlines, one might think inpatient virtual care is ubiquitous and everyone else is saving millions of dollars through virtual nursing. Or one might get the impression the nursing shortage is over because AI is easing administrative strain. It turns out the truth lies somewhere in the middle. 

A new survey reveals that most health systems remain in the early stages of virtual nursing adoption in acute care settings. In 2024, just 10% of hospital leaders and 14% of IT leaders have reached the phase where virtual care is a standard part of care delivery. In both groups, 30% reported no virtual care.

Those were among the major takeaways from two recent surveys of 369 hospital clinical and information technology leaders on the topic of inpatient virtual care.

Over the last year and a half, hospital leaders grew more firmly committed to the concept of virtual nursing with those believing it will be an integral part of care delivery, growing from 66% to 74%. However, as of October 2024, one out of three respondents had yet to implement virtual care in any inpatient department.

Progressing through the early stages of virtual care
Based on survey results and firsthand observation, most providers are still in the early exploration phase, which is stage 2 of the 5-stage Inpatient Virtual Care Maturity Model (see graphic). The 5-stage process represents a blueprint for care model redesign led by change-management-oriented, outcome-focused leaders.

Few survey respondents have progressed to stage 3, strategic advancement, in which providers establish infrastructure and advance virtual care use for admission, discharge, education, mentoring, and rounding. None has advanced to stage 5, mature virtual care, which is characterized by full integration of virtual care with an emphasis on optimizing workflows, operational efficiency, and outcomes.

Key survey findings

Despite these slow steps toward inpatient virtual care maturity, the annual survey revealed that:

  • 74% of hospital leaders believe virtual care is or will become integral to care delivery models in acute inpatient care, up from 66% in last year’s survey.
  • Hospital leaders continue to prioritize virtual nursing, with an average ranking of 6.2 on a prioritization scale of 1 to 10. Among health IT leaders, the average ranking was 6.
  • 46% of hospital leaders are piloting or have implemented virtual care for inpatient acute care, up from 38% a year ago.

Virtual care use cases and metrics
Hospital leaders consider the top use cases for virtual care to be virtual sitting (39%), patient discharge (33%), admission documentation support (32%), high-acuity monitoring (18%), patient education (18%), and virtual consults (18%).

Survey respondents’ most frequently cited metrics to measure the success of virtual care programs include patient safety, patient experience, workload burden for staff, patient outcomes, patient flow, nurse retention, workforce costs, and nurse safety, satisfaction and retention.

The use of virtual care solutions to reduce burnout among nurses and other clinicians is consistent with the US Surgeon General’s advisory on building a thriving health workforce. Researchers estimate that annual burnout-related turnover costs are $9 billion for nurses.

The path to virtual care maturity requires not just investing in new technology; it also requires organizational alignment, solid change management processes, and buy-in at all levels of the organization. Adopting an intelligent platform that seamlessly blends remote and in-person care with AI-powered virtual sitting and virtual nursing could be a critical step towards accelerating virtual care maturity. However, making a significant difference requires more than just adopting technology; it also calls for establishing specific objectives and taking deliberate steps to build these initiatives.

About the survey:

The Virtual Care Insight Survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Joslin Insight on behalf of AvaSure between September 19 and October 7, 2024. The survey received responses from 340 healthcare professionals primarily working in acute care settings. At least 30% were nurse leaders or key decision-makers (collectively referred to as hospital leaders). This study’s sample data is accurate to within +5.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.

To complement the survey of hospital leaders, AvaSure gathered insights from 29 hospital IT leaders (mostly CIOs) regarding Inpatient Virtual Care Adoption.

The full survey report is available for download here: https://avasure.com/resource/2024-virtual-care-insight-survey-report/

Perspectives: Embracing the Power of EiPaaS in 2024 and Beyond

July 18, 2024 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s article is by Scott Sirdevan, co-founder and CEO at Vorro. In this article, Mr. Sirdevan explains the concept of EiPaaS and how it can integrate the digital programs and tools used by healthcare providers, securely, to enable customers to bring together data from any system to the point of decision. He holds a master’s degree in computer information systems from Kansas State University and was the lead inventor on Vorro’s three BridgeGate patents.

Vorro empowers businesses with seamless integration solutions to connect, transform, and automate their data processes, ensuring efficiency and innovation in the digital landscape.

Despite the increasing risk of using digital tools in healthcare due to faulty systems and cyberattacks, the booming health tech sector is becoming more vital for healthcare systems than ever before, delivering efficient, proactive, and more accurate solutions to providers.

Today, one of the most popular health tech solutions is Enterprise Integration Platform as a Service (EiPaaS), with its market expected to reach $10.26 billion by 2027. Essentially a data integration solution, EiPaaS streamlines healthcare provider processes by creating a centralized space in the cloud for all programs and tools to work in unison.

EiPaaS has become increasingly critical as healthcare systems seek increased collaboration between insurance companies, suppliers, and patients and deal with more software programs than ever. This integration connects all operations, making tasks automated, timelier, and safer.

Let’s examine three reasons modern healthcare providers should embrace EiPaaS:

1.    Seamless Data Integration

Delivering seamless data integration in healthcare is crucial for patient care. Fragmented care, often due to delayed communications between suppliers, providers, and insurance companies or human error, creates adverse effects on patients with chronic illnesses.

EiPaaS in healthcare operations ensures efficient communication and minimizes human errors, from typos to delayed manual processes. Providers can seamlessly share information with suppliers quickly, ensuring low-latency system responses.

Access to up-to-date patient data, such as allergies, prescriptions, and other patient information, helps physicians make informed decisions.

2.    Enhanced Scalability & Security

Cybercrime rates have skyrocketed since 2020, with 2023 witnessing the most attacks on record. Cybersecurity is paramount in healthcare, and EiPaaS solutions address these concerns by providing robust security measures. The “enterprise” in EiPaaS signifies a higher grade of fault tolerance, scalability, and cybersecurity, meeting standards like HIPAA and other government-mandated compliance requirements.

Often, healthcare providers hire vendors without vetting their cybersecurity stance, which puts their services and patients’ information at risk. In 2023, there were 725 large data breaches in the healthcare sector, exposing over 133 million records. Hacking incidents accounted for 79.72% of these breaches​ (The HIPAA Journal)​​ (HHS.gov)​​ (The HIPAA Journal)​. EiPaaS solutions feature up-to-date compliance, secure data sharing, and encryption, ensuring that digital services are safe and trusted.

Scalability is another significant advantage of EiPaaS. One of the biggest benefits is the ability to grow and shrink based on customer demand. This flexibility allows healthcare providers to handle large data loads efficiently. For instance, several of our customers have needed to load a large amount of data in a short time, and EiPaaS can scale up to support these large one-time bulk loads and conversions. This scalability ensures that healthcare providers can dynamically manage their data needs without compromising performance or security.

3.    Optional Fully Managed Services

A significant advantage of EiPaaS is its optional fully managed services. These services are beneficial for healthcare organizations in many ways. Healthcare organizations can focus on their core business, utilizing the EiPaaS provider to handle all Integration responsibilities and support. Managed services are more cost-effective and in sync with the specific systems healthcare organizations use daily.

As health tech solutions become more critical and scrutinized by regulators, data integration services like EiPaaS are taking center stage. EiPaaS’s robust cybersecurity practices, full audited chain of custody of data, and fault-tolerance scalability integration are what modern healthcare systems need today, leveraging technological advances to elevate service quality, resulting in excellent patient care.

For Perspectives editorial and other promotional opportunities, contact Editor Donna.

Perspectives: How Collaborative Care Combats Physician Burnout

May 30, 2024 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s contribution is from Sussan Nwogwugwu, DNP, PMHNP, Clinical Leader at Done. In this article, Dr. Nwogwugwu discusses physician burnout, how it can affect delivery of care, and how collaborative and comprehensive care can mitigate burnout.

Done is a leading provider of telehealth services for individuals with ADHD, dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-first care. With a network that spans more than 35 states, Done connects individuals with ADHD to experienced, board-certified providers for personalized treatment plans and medication management. 

Physician burnout is a significant concern, as it affects not only physician well-being but the quality of care they deliver.

The state of primary physician burnout
The American Medical Association found that at the end of 2021, nearly 63% of physicians had reported burnout symptoms. This was roughly a 66% increase from the preceding year, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to support physician mental and emotional health. Increasing burnout is attributed to excessive workload, administrative burdens and lack of support and resources.

Collaborative care and its benefits
Collaboration between a team of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals decreases clinician workload and leads to enhanced job satisfaction. Additionally, feelings of isolation and burnout among physicians are reduced. Most importantly, the continued skill building and exchange of knowledge contribute to professional growth.

For mental health patients, collaborative care ensures holistic care and access to specialized services and continuity of care, particularly for patients managing chronic conditions.

Comprehensive care supports providers
A collaborative care model is designed to reduce the burden on primary care providers; and enhance clinician well-being and patient care by integrating comprehensive behavioral health support within the primary care framework. Comprehensive care supports providers in several ways:

Impact analysis
Impact analysis, primarily powered by data analytics software, provides insights into treatment effectiveness. It is particularly helpful in guiding interventions.

Impact analysis further addresses burnout and other issues by identifying areas for improvement, ultimately guaranteeing effective resource allocation and helping track the progress of interventions over time for better adjustments.

Evidence-based interventions (EBI)
EBI enables providers to use resources efficiently by enlightening them on what works and does not. It also enhances job satisfaction and morale, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. Finally, using evidence-based treatments reduces the chances of facing legal action if something goes wrong.

Physicians leverage technology to learn more about EBIs across various medical fields; that can include digital libraries/databases, clinical decision support systems, mobile applications, telehealth platforms and online resources.

Frequent reviews and an inclusive patient approach
Frequent reviews help identify and address areas for practice improvement due to informative feedback they provide. An inclusive patient approach reduces burnout and provides a sense of fulfillment among providers by nurturing greater patient engagement and increasing satisfaction.

Comprehensive care supports patients
In addition to benefiting health care providers, comprehensive care benefits patients, too.

Impact analysis
Impact analysis fosters an in-depth understanding of a patient’s needs and responses to treatment, leading to more personalized care. Patients can also make informed decisions about their health and treatment options, guided by physician recommendations on helpful online resources.

Evidence-based interventions
EBI supports patients, reduces the risk of adverse effects, and ascertains that patients receive appropriate, high-quality, rigorously tested and proven care. Additionally, since EBI is founded on research and clinical evidence, it guarantees better health outcomes.

Frequent reviews and an inclusive patient approach
Frequent reviews enable personalized care and continuous treatment plan adjustment per each patient’s progress and feedback. Remote patient monitoring technologies like smart watches or mobile health apps help to track key health metrics and symptoms, thereby fostering patient empowerment and ensuring adherence to treatment plans by involving them in their own care.

Why medicine is shifting toward value-based care
Medicine is gradually shifting to a value-based care model to deliver patient-centered, effective, cost-efficient healthcare. This is in response to the conventional fee-for-service model that incentivizes quantity over quality, which results in unnecessary procedures, fragmented care and unsustainable healthcare costs.

Technology, a key defining factor in value-based care, leverages EHRs, telemedicine platforms and data analytics tools to refine ADHD care and eliminate draining tasks that lead to burnout.

Telemedicine platforms enable remote consultations, making it easier for patients to access specialized services without the need for physical visits. Additionally, data analytics tools track patient outcomes and identify trends, allowing for more personalized and effective treatment plans.

Through integrating EHRs, telemedicine platforms and advanced data analytics, multidisciplinary healthcare teams can streamline communication and coordination. EHRs provide team members access to up-to-date patient information, thereby reducing errors and enhancing continuity of care.

Collaborative + comprehensive care = value-based care
Collaborative and comprehensive care, combined with technology tools, contribute to value-based care by enhancing patient experience and treatment outcomes; and optimizing resource utilization.

These care models collectively promote improved population health, foster accountability and transparency and encourage continuous improvement.

Through collaborative care models, the value of health care is maximized and aligns with value-based care goals, alleviating increasing levels of physician burnout.

Perspectives: Working with a PR Agency–How to Make the Most of the Partnership

April 3, 2024 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion and thought leadership area. Today’s contribution is from Jodi Amendola, CEO of Amendola, a full-service PR and marketing agency that focuses on healthcare, health tech, and life sciences. Your Editor personally knows Amendola as a leading US agency representing many leading companies ably and well in both earned and paid media. In this article, Jodi explains some best practices in working with your PR and/or marketing agency–why their specialized skills in dealing with the media are necessary–and getting the most out of your mutual commitment.

After leading a public relations agency for nearly two decades, I’ve learned a few things.

From the right way to shape a client’s message to the best reporters and media outlets to target for exposure to crafting the proper talking points for interviews, PR can deliver real results to help clients achieve their growth objectives.

However, some of the most useful knowledge and experience PR professionals can acquire pertains to building successful and mutually beneficial relationships with clients.

While there is undoubtedly a lot of optimism when a PR agency signs a new client, a successful partnership requires more than enthusiasm and high hopes. Without a clear focus and realistic objectives, the relationship may never produce the anticipated benefits for either party.

To that end, here are some important tips on what clients should do to maximize return on investment and reach the strategic goals of their public relations partnerships.

It’s all about alignment: At the beginning of the engagement, ensure that both client and agency are fully aligned on goals and key performance indicators (KPIs). Specifically, those KPIs need to help the client accomplish its goals, not the agency’s.

Think long- and short-term from the beginning: Agencies can produce better results when clients are invested in the process. Within the first few weeks, set both short- and long-term objectives to enable better tracking of the client’s KPIs. Solicit a wide range of input to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Communicate openly and transparently: By engaging in open and transparent communication, the client-agency relationship gains trust around shared values. Agencies should help create a collaborative environment that enables honest sharing of expectations and concerns, a step that is essential to generating a long-lasting working relationship.

Share what makes you special: To place a client in the appropriate light for media, customers, and other stakeholders, it is critical that the agency develops a deep understanding of what makes the client’s business unique. When clients demonstrate what sets them apart from others in a (most likely) crowded market space, agencies can tell better stories that are more likely to break through the noise.

Listen: Remember why you hired a PR team in the first place. The PR agency likely possesses skill sets and a level of expertise in media relations and content that your internal team may lack (since they specialize in other things). That’s okay and a testament to your good judgment! Let your PR team do what you are paying them to do and listen to their advice.

One touchpoint: Clients should identify a dedicated liaison to act as a single touchpoint and centralized hub for all agency contacts. Ideally, this person should have some PR and marketing savvy and should be as interested in moving the needle as the agency is. Often, media requests need to be turned around within only a few hours, so designating a single contact can expedite connections when every minute matters.

Timely, effective PR can help companies access new employees, customers, markets, partners, and investors that they otherwise would not have attracted the attention of. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Follow the above steps when working with your PR firm, and it could happen to you, too!

Perspectives: The Impact of Virtual Nursing on Telehealth

November 14, 2023 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion area. Today’s contribution is from Donna Gudmestad, MHL, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, who is clinical program manager and clinical product owner of mobile technology for Caregility, which provides secure, reliable, and HIPAA-compliant audio and video communication designed for any device and clinical workflow, in both acute and ambulatory settings supporting 1,300+ hospitals across dozens of health systems. Ms. Gudmestad has 30+ years of nursing experience and 14+ years of telemedicine operational and implementation experience. Prior to Caregility, she served as a bedside clinician, clinical manager, director of operations, and director of implementation. Her bachelor’s degree in nursing is from Indiana Wesleyan University and later earned a Master of Health Leadership from Western Governors University.

In this article, Ms. Gudmestad discusses how virtual nursing is not a substitute for in-person nursing, but supports traditional nursing by transcending physical boundaries in specific ways, both in patient care and in clinical workflow tasks, leading to better outcomes.

As healthcare executives, we are witnessing a remarkable transformation in the telehealth and virtual care industry, driven by the emergence of virtual nursing. This innovative approach to patient care, combining the convenience of telehealth with the expertise and empathy of registered nurses, is reshaping the healthcare landscape in profound ways– specifically the role of virtual nursing in clinical workflows and its profound impact on patient care.

Virtual nursing is not merely a digitized version of traditional nursing; it’s a dynamic interaction that transcends physical boundaries. Through video calls and chat interfaces, nurses can provide personalized guidance, address patient queries, offer much-needed emotional support, and provide workflow support for nursing staff. This heightened engagement fosters stronger patient-clinician relationships, resulting in enhanced patient satisfaction and greater adherence to treatment plans.

One of the essential aspects of clinical workflows is efficient patient triage. Virtual nurses excel in this domain, rapidly assessing the urgency of a patient’s condition and determining whether intervention is necessary. This swift and accurate decision-making reduces overcrowding in emergency rooms and clinics, optimizing resource allocation.

Beyond triage, virtual nurses excel in continuous monitoring. They can track vital signs, medication adherence, and symptom management remotely. Adjusting treatment plans and assisting patients in managing their conditions from the comfort of their homes becomes a reality. This proactive approach not only enhances patient care but also minimizes complications and readmissions.

After hospitalization or surgical procedures, patients require diligent follow-up to monitor their recovery. Virtual nursing streamlines this process by enabling nurses to conduct post-discharge check-ins via video calls. This proactive approach minimizes complications and the chance of costly readmission, leading to improved patient outcomes.

By reducing the necessity for in-person visits and hospital readmissions, virtual nursing contributes significantly to cost reduction for both patients and healthcare providers. This multifaceted approach to improving patient care enhances access, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, positioning virtual nursing as a transformative force in healthcare.

From an inpatient perspective, virtual nursing helps to support bedside nursing staff by performing some of the most time-consuming activities such as admissions and discharges in addition to other supportive workflows. With certain technologies in place such as peripheral devices, virtual nurses can even also perform admission assessments throughout the hospital with the assistance of a bedside nurse tech.

As technology continues to advance and healthcare providers increasingly embrace virtual nursing, we can anticipate continued growth and evolution in the industry. Virtual nursing is more than just a trend; it represents a fundamental shift in the way we deliver and receive healthcare services. It offers a vision of healthcare that is accessible, efficient, and patient-centric.

Virtual nursing is not merely an addition to our healthcare toolbox; it is a catalyst for redefining clinical workflows and patient care. As healthcare executives, we have the privilege of witnessing this transformation firsthand. The future of healthcare is being shaped by innovations like virtual nursing, with benefits that extend far beyond our current understanding. Embracing this shift is not just a strategic choice; it is a commitment to delivering healthcare that is smarter, more compassionate, and more accessible to all.

Perspectives: How robust patient scheduling and intake enable better patient access to cancer care – a UK case study

June 15, 2023 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion area. Today’s contribution is from Josif Dishliev, co-founder at Healee, an integrated patient access solution built for the operational complexity of high-performing medical groups. For one of its clients, UK-based Perci Health, Healee helped launch a branded patient access platform that aims to challenge the status quo for those impacted by cancer. Perci Health connects people living with cancer and their caregivers to a team of multidisciplinary cancer experts, tackling the physical, psychological, and practical impacts of cancer with a focus on managing the long-term side effects of treatment which are often overlooked in traditional healthcare. In this article, Mr. Dishliev talks about the role robust patient scheduling and intake capabilities play in improving patient access to cancer care.

When it comes to cancer treatment itself, the UK has one of the most well-developed healthcare systems in the world. With advancements in screenings, diagnostics, and therapy, the cancer survival rate in the country has seen radical improvement. Although 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, survival rates have more than doubled, and by 2030 6% of the population will be living with and beyond cancer.  

However, innovation in the aftercare of cancer survivors has significantly lagged. Patients find the healthcare system complicated and confusing, they cannot get the care they need, and continue to suffer from the long-term effects of treatment.

Digital health technology holds immense potential to improve patient access to cancer care and provide people living with or beyond cancer with much-needed support from the physical, psychological, and practical impacts of cancer. 

Perci Health observed several critical requirements when it comes to successfully implementing a patient access solution that enhances cancer care:

Allow for custom digital intake forms

Strong digital patient intake is the first – and one of the most crucial – steps to the success of a virtual-first care model that prioritizes convenience and affordability but not at the expense of high-quality personalized care.

Perci’s Healee-powered platform utilizes digital intake forms by offering an online questionnaire that first determines the person’s demographic profile and then provides the option for two journeys – “supporting someone with cancer” or “living with or beyond cancer.”

  • For people who choose the “supporting someone with cancer” option, the platform asks a set of questions to determine the physical, psychological, and social impact that taking care of a person with cancer has had on them. 
  • For people who choose the “living with or beyond cancer” option, the platform asks several additional questions including type of cancer, year of diagnosis, and treatment stage.

Based on each person’s answers, the platform offers tailored recommendations for the type of care and the healthcare professionals best suited to their needs.

Robust patient access platforms offer custom intake forms, which determine each user’s needs based on their demographics and specific physical and psychological requirements. This method allows users to access personalized treatment plans and match them with the healthcare professional best suited to their needs.

Enable strong patient-provider matching

A well-designed patient access solution allows matching the exact patient need with the best-suited provider in one easy, smooth and real-time provider search experience. Automated patient-provider matching takes into account providers’ characteristics such as provider specialty and considers patient and provider preferences as well as system requirements.

Perci’s platform offers over 20 holistic cancer support types and a list of NHS-qualified healthcare professionals that range from cancer and clinical exercise coaches to psychologists, dieticians, psychosexual therapists, and more. 

Given the many different types of cancer specialists and the varying needs of cancer patients, the access to the right team of healthcare professionals is crucial to improving patient outcomes. (more…)

Perspectives: How AI and ML can accelerate the growth of telemedicine across the globe

May 31, 2023 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion area. Today’s Perspectives is from Deepak Singh, a thought leader in AI and telehealth. In his work, he builds AI-powered healthtech and telehealth solutions that can reach from big cities to remote areas of the world. With double master’s degrees in business and information systems, he has 10 years of experience in product development, management, and design ranging from telecom to multimedia and from IT solutions to enterprise healthcare platforms. This article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can accelerate the global growth of telemedicine, including a consideration of risks and possible solutions.

Introduction

The ongoing technological advancements have led the way towards greater opportunities for the growth of the global health business, particularly telemedicine through increased connections via the internet, robotics, data analytics, and cloud technology that will further drive innovation over the next ten years. It is obvious that artificial intelligence (AI) usage plays a noteworthy part in the maneuvering and execution of medical technologies when considering the bulky amount of data handling needed by healthcare, the requirement for consistent accuracy in complex procedures, and the rising demand for healthcare services.

Telemedicine is the practice of performing consultations, medical tests and procedures, and remote medical professional collaborations through interactive digital communication. Telemedicine is an open science that is constantly growing as it embraces new technological developments and reacts to and adapts to the shifting social circumstances and health demands. The primary goals of telemedicine are to close the accessibility and communication gaps in four fields: teleconsultation, which is having all kinds of physical and mental health consultations without an in-person visit to a medical facility; teleradiology, which uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to transmit digital radiological images (such as X-ray images) from one place to another; telepathology, which uses ICT to transmit digitized pathological results; and teledermatology, which uses ICT to transmit medical information about skin conditions.

AI has been progressively implied in the field of telemedicine. AI deals with machine learning (ML) that discloses complex connections that are hard to figure out in an equation. In a way that is similar to the human brain and neural networks that encrypt data using an enormous number of interconnected neurons, ML systems can approach difficult problem-solving in the same way that a doctor might do by carefully analyzing the available data and drawing valid judgments.

A growing understanding of artificial intelligence and data analytics can help to broaden its reach and capabilities. Telemedicine’s goal is to boost productivity and organize experience, information, and manpower based on need and urgency and it can be augmented by the use of AI and ML.

Evolving application of AI and ML in Telemedicine

In order to enable clinicians to make more data-driven, immediate decisions that could enhance the patient experience and health outcomes, AI is being employed in telemedicine more and more. The use of AI in healthcare is a potential approach for telemedicine applications in the future.

Al and ML were able to bring about the necessary revolution in so many sectors due to their competence, increased productivity, and flawless execution of tasks. AI is now surpassing the boundaries of being a mere theory and stepping into a practical domain where the need for human supervision for the execution of jobs by machines will be minimized all due to the presence of enormous datasets along with an increment in the processing power of that data. A computer-based algorithm that uses AI has the ability to analyze any form of input data such as ‘training sets’ using pattern recognition which eventually predicts as well as categorize the output, all of that is beyond the scope of human processing or analytical powers that uses traditional statistical approaches. In the field of telemedicine, the adoption of AI and ML still has to go a long way till its vital concepts are understood and applied likewise, nevertheless, the current scenario gives a promising picture where many research projects have applied AI to predict the risk of future disease incidence, decrypting cutting-edge imaging, evaluating patient-reported results, recording value-based metrics, and improving telehealth. The perspective to mechanize tasks and improve data-driven discernments may be comprehended by profoundly improving patient care with obligation, attentiveness, and proficiency in prompting AI.

Drawbacks of artificial intelligence in telemedicine (more…)

Perspectives: Implementing technology in rural communities to support access to mental and behavioral healthcare

May 1, 2023 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion area. Today’s Perspectives is from Brian Kenah, Azalea Health’s chief technology officer responsible for engineering, software development initiatives, M&A integrations, and related areas. Azalea Health is a leading US-based provider of cloud-based healthcare solutions and services, including a complete solution of electronic health records (EHR), practice management (PM), revenue cycle management (RCM) billing services, as well as a patient health records portal, and a mobile mHealth application. This article discusses how technology can bridge care gaps that continue to be present in rural areas and enable greater access for individuals.

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the health needs facing many communities and nowhere was that more apparent than in rural communities.

Rural areas in the U.S. often have higher rates of mortality and morbidity from the leading causes of death compared to urban areas. A report by the CDC in 2017 found that people living in rural areas had a higher risk of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, and respiratory disease combined than those living in urban areas. One factor contributing to these disparities is limited access to healthcare services – including behavioral and mental health.

Based on data from the American Psychological Association (APA), there is a shortage of mental health professionals in rural areas of the U.S. According to the APA, about 20% of Americans live in rural areas, but only about 10% of psychologists practice in these areas. Additionally, the APA reports that up to 80% of rural communities do not have a psychologist.

Rural communities may not have the same access to psychologists and other resources such as technology as urban areas, which can limit their ability to support mental and behavioral health. And, while many providers in rural communities cannot hire psychologists and other experts who specialize in mental and behavioral health, residents in these communities still need — and deserve — this type of care. There are efforts underway to address this issue and expand access, specifically with technology tools that can be used in rural communities to support mental and behavioral health issues. Some of these technology tools include the following:

  1. Access to Broadband: One challenge in rural areas is limited broadband internet access, which can make it difficult to access online mental health resources, telemedicine services, and other technology tools. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), nearly one in four rural Americans lack access to broadband internet. Despite these challenges, there are initiatives to expand access to technology tools for mental and behavioral health in rural communities. For example, the FCC has established the Rural Health Care Program, which provides funding to help rural healthcare providers expand their telemedicine services and broadband access.
  2. Telehealth: Telehealth is a service that saw widespread adoption during the pandemic. Telemedicine allows patients in rural areas to access mental health services remotely via videoconferencing. This is especially important where there is a shortage of mental health providers. Investing in telehealth services provides healthcare organizations with an opportunity to revolutionize healthcare delivery. Investing in and expanding the use of telehealth provides an immediate way for providers in smaller communities to tap into larger health systems and their experts. It also strengthens the provider/patient relations by removing proximity as a potential barrier to connecting. Longer term, telehealth allows providers to offer new services and expand existing offerings they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. Telehealth can also help reduce patient wait times and allow providers to serve more patients without necessarily needing to hire additional personnel.
  3. Remote Patient Monitoring/Care: The challenges faced by rural communities in accessing behavioral health services are well documented – long travel times to clinics, limited availability of mental health professionals, and stigma associated with seeking help. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) tools can address many of these barriers and improve the overall quality of care. The use of technology to remotely collect and transmit health data from patients to healthcare providers, such as information on mood, anxiety, sleep patterns, and medication adherence, can help providers identify potential issues before they become acute and intervene accordingly. This can all be done remotely without travel, particularly important in rural communities where access to transportation can be limited. Additionally, remote patient care can increase the frequency of patient-provider interactions, leading to more timely interventions and better outcomes. Remote patient care also has the potential to address the shortage of mental health professionals in rural areas, helping those that are providing services to make better use of their time and resources, ultimately improving access to patient care .
  4. Predictive Analytics: Coupling solutions like telehealth with predictive analytics can enable providers to focus on those with the biggest needs, moving from triage mode to true holistic healthcare management. Rural areas already struggle with a shortage of psychologists, doctors, and nurses, and that shortage won’t stop the flow of patients needing support for mental health issues. Predictive analytics can often help provide support for those individuals with existing and ongoing conditions such as PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders.

Overall, technology can help bridge the gap in mental and behavioral health services in rural communities and provide access to virtual care that might not be otherwise available.

Healthcare outcomes shouldn’t be based on a patient’s zip code, but for too long, that’s been the case. Patients in smaller communities deserve the same level of care as their counterparts living in larger communities, and technology enables providers to deliver on that promise.

Perspectives: Could the telehealth VIMPRO model save the NHS from drowning in demand?

December 6, 2022 | by

TTA has an open invitation to industry leaders to contribute to our Perspectives non-promotional opinion area. Today’s Perspectives is from Adam Hunter, CCO at Phlo Connect, an API-driven pharmacy infrastructure platform to deliver enhanced patient and clinician experiences. Phlo Connect integrates with prescribing technologies and digital health platforms used by the NHS and by private healthcare providers, from the initial consult and prescribing, and processes the request through to patient delivery. This article discusses how Vertically Integrated Micro-Providers (VIMPRO) can work in partnership to streamline NHS services using technology and telehealth.

Interested in being a Perspectives contributor? Contact Editor Donna. 

The NHS is in crisis: with staff vacancies currently exceeding 130,000, elective care waiting lists are predicted to exceed 10 million by March 2024, and up to 22,000 appointments are cancelled every single day.

Speaking at a King’s Fund conference in London earlier this month, NHS Chief Executive Amanda Prichard told delegates that demand on national health and care providers is rising so quickly that patients are not always getting the level of care they deserve. Highlighting a projected £7bn NHS budget shortfall, she went on to emphasise that “We’ve got to shift the model of care from one that does late diagnosis and expensive treatment to one that does faster diagnosis, better treatment and better value for the taxpayer in the process.”

Such a model, where all patients can access timely, preventative care without exorbitant cost, is one that every developed national healthcare system aspires to adopt. Navigating the practicalities and finding the capacity for transformation has to date stalled the full realisation of this. However, gathering pace in the past decade has been the VIMPRO model of healthcare delivery, which is increasingly proving to be a successful way of meeting the needs of underserved patient groups and alleviating pressures. At this time of critical need, could this model save struggling public systems from drowning in demand?

The VIMPRO model explained

A Vertically Integrated Micro-Provider (VIMPRO) is a telehealth provider focused on delivering an end-to-end service to a specific patient group. VIMPROs are characterised by excellent user experience and personalised clinician-led care, and are increasingly entering into partnerships with national healthcare providers (including the NHS) to help bridge gaps in service delivery.

One example of a successful existing VIMPRO model operating in partnership with the NHS to meet a previously unmet patient need is Leva Clinic. They are UK leaders in chronic pain management and medical cannabis treatment. The majority of their users pay to use their digital platform, where they access psychology consultations, nurse appointments, physiotherapy advice, prescription and direct-to-door medication delivery.

This is a big step in the right direction towards meeting the needs of the UK’s underserved pain patients, many of whom have spent years with inappropriate support owing to a shortage of pain specialists and lack of personalised treatment options.

Patient and system benefits

From the perspective of NHS leaders, the benefits of the VIMPRO model are multiple. Firstly, they provide an alternative point of access to care for patients who’d otherwise need to be seen by GPs and referred on to NHS consultants. This frees up system capacity and cuts wait times and workloads. Secondly, VIMPROs provide the education and information that their specific patient group needs to manage their condition and improve their outcomes. This reduces the burden of ill health on the NHS further down the line. And thirdly, when VIMPROs are integrated properly with NHS systems, all the information about the patient’s care can be tracked in their electronic record without adding to practitioners’ admin burden. 

The VIMPRO model also offers multiple benefits to patients. Convenience and timeliness of access to healthcare are primary amongst these, as they remove the barriers of geography and waiting lists that obstruct care in the NHS. Patients can be quickly connected to leading specialists and prescribers anywhere in the county, and don’t even have to leave their homes to collect their medication. In addition, accessing remote care through a VIMPRO model means that patients who are reluctant to engage with local services for support – perhaps because of stigma around their condition – are offered an alternative source of care that’s entirely virtual and distinct from other NHS services. Finally, VIMPROs often take on the responsibility of creating education materials and championing the needs of their patient vertical. For example, men’s health VIMPRO Numan hosts a medically-reviewed blog delivering advice on weight management, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, mental health and other under-discussed men’s health issues.

The future of NHS care delivery?

There is no single solution that can fix the problems facing the NHS and other public health systems around the world. Replacing the core of NHS services with a network of VIMPROs is an unrealistic proposition that would be extremely difficult to achieve. However, carefully planned VIMPRO partnerships have already proven to be effective at redirecting patient demand to where it can be successfully dealt with.

If the right streamlined system integration and tailored digital infrastructure is put in place, patients and clinicians can enjoy seamless and convenient experiences. This means no clunky transition between platforms and service providers: from first consultation to the arrival of medication on the doorstep of the patient. 

Global health needs, and our expectations of healthcare, are constantly evolving. Only by constantly evolving the models of care delivery will we be able to keep up, and right now, that means embracing the opportunities of the VIMPRO model and making it work as well as we possibly can.