You're a nurse striving to enhance patient care. How can you harness telehealth technology effectively?

Be open to new technologies and stay up to date on new innovations in telehealth. This may include attending trainings and workshops on new digital tools.

To harness telehealth technology effectively, ensure you’re trained in its use and integrate it into your patient care routine. Use telehealth to conduct remote consultations, monitor patient progress, and provide education. Maintain clear communication and follow-up to ensure patients receive comprehensive care and support. This approach can enhance accessibility and continuity of care while improving patient outcomes.

As a Nurse first of all I should be made a part of decision making in selection of the telehealth platform as end user involvement and ease of using is the key to success of any digital technology. This is often missed in most of the cases and when it comes to improve patient care 1. it is important to identify what all parameters are vital to capture based on patient assessment and clinical needs of patients 2. Right telehealth platform which is user friendly, secure, data protection and accurate and dependable 3. Integration capabilities with HIS for accuracy of data and outcome 4. Educate patients and caregivers on using the same 5. Customization of the platform based on hospital needs. 6. Performance matrix to track patient satisfaction

This may involve utilizing virtual consultations to provide timely medical advice and follow-ups, monitoring patients remotely using wearable devices to track vital signs and medication adherence, or conducting virtual health assessments to assess patient needs without the need for an in-person visit. By embracing telehealth technology, you can improve access to care for patients in remote or underserved areas, streamline communication between healthcare providers, and enhance the overall quality of care delivered. It is essential to stay updated on the latest telehealth platforms and tools available, ensure proper training for yourself and colleagues on how to use them effectively

From day one in nursing, I was told the only constant in healthcare is change. So my expectation has always been that change will happen and to accept it. But it’s more than accepting that needs to happen, individuals need to embrace it. No one has ever implemented a change they thought would negatively impact things (or at least let’s hope not). So if it isn’t making sense, seek clarification. Find out the reason behind the change. Is it a new CMS requirement? New evidence-based procedures? Whatever it may be, seeking to understand the change will help you embrace that change.

Teach patients how to use telehealth platforms, explaining the benefits and how they can access their care safely and effectively. This empowers patients and improves their experience with remote care.

Develop your own technological skills to easily navigate telehealth systems. This ensures that you can provide efficient care and resolve technical issues quickly.

Improve your communication skills to ensure clear and effective interactions with patients during telehealth visits. This includes being able to explain medical information in an understandable and empathetic way.

Strong and transparent communication in such usage of telehealth will help gain trust and faith from patients. Making them involved and a part of decision making process of their treatment shall Improve patient Experience as well. communication within the medical fraternity with regards to sharing a common telehealth platform shall encourage multi disciplinary approach if need arises hence communication especially in Healthcare plays vital role for treatment

Feedback from all stakeholders including patients, doctors and relatives shall only improve performance of the telehealth platform. If performance measure is done for a periodic time desired outcomes shall be sustained else the platform gets defunked. Also knowledge sharing and best practices in industry if followed can be of significant help for better patient outcomes.