What are the advantages and disadvantages of using telehealth or remote case management services?

In my experience utilizing telehealth care with in our schools we often break the barriers of rural healthcare due to lack of transportation, it provides convenience for working parents, and the nurse or social worker was available to provide helpful information to the Doctor/ mental health worker with consent of the guardian. Guardians were offered an invitation to attend and be part of some of the appointments. The kids are not missing school so attendance improves and needs are being met. Also, my parents utilized the telehealth care in their 80's and this was so helpful for them to be able to stay in the comfort of the home and speak directly with their doctors. I personally like the telehealth care for convenience of working.

I agree there are some tweaks that have to be made on occasions with the telehealth care as far as technical support. When encountering these kind of issues the participants (party) and the health care provider need to be prepared should this situation arise. I feel funding and providers should be involved with a way to study and grow telehealth care. Summer is here and we know that kids do not get to their appointments and medications lapse during these months. In turn , we have to start at ground zero to get through the first semester of school. This time would be better spent if the child had a meaningful encounter with the provider to be ready for review of the last years work and get a satisfactory feel for what lies ahead .

When discussing advantages & disadvantages of telehealth, we also need to recognize our privilege in being able to use telehealth - not just in access to the internet, but also knowledge in how to use the internet. Case management may involve things like having a client electronically sign a document, which can be incredibly difficult for someone to figure out if they have not had access to the internet before or never had to do such a thing before. We need to come into remote case management with awareness of this privilege in order to effectively serve our clients.

In my experience those persons who are experiencing chronic ongoing destructive behaviors, self harm ideas, any of this needs to be carefully managed and could benefit from being seen in person. Often times they are encouraged to go to the hospital as this is pretty standard protocol. I feel that people who do not feel comfortable with the technology should be given the consideration to see someone in person.

It is important to remember that low-income individuals may not be able to use video telehealth services due to a lack of data on their cell phones. Also, not everyone has internet access so audio telehealth options should be an option in certain circumstances.

As a School Social Worker I feel we have the ability to see many of the schools and kids be provided the opportunity to see therapists and doctors on a scheduled appointment visit. My understanding from some of the physicians I spoke with involves the Cost of equipment it would take to put them in the position of bringing their services to the schools. You do not want to take the privileges away from the providers unless this is something the guardians want to change. They should be directed to appropriate channels. So cost for the providers is a big problem. Thank you