- Innovative healthcare delivery options like telemedicine, mobile medicine, and electronic health records will help meet the challenges of increased demand on the healthcare system due to healthcare reform.
- Telemedicine allows doctors to diagnose and treat patients remotely using videoconferencing technology. Mobile health uses smartphones to enable remote diagnosis.
- These new options help address physician shortages and increase access to specialists, particularly in rural areas. They also improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Optimizing your EHR Value through Patient EngagementBrian Ahier
The document discusses optimizing EHR value through patient engagement. It lists several Stage 1 and Stage 2 Meaningful Use objectives related to engaging patients and families, such as providing clinical summaries and discharge instructions electronically. It describes ways physicians can use health IT to facilitate patient involvement, like arranging exam rooms so patients can see screens and using portals and PHRs. The document also discusses enabling engagement between visits through secure messaging, reminders, and accessing records online. It promotes joining ONC's Pledge Program to empower patient partnership in health.
Telephone medical consults provide a convenient and affordable option for routine medical care through telephone consultations with physicians. The document discusses how telephone consults can increase access to care, particularly for rural communities and those who have difficulty taking time off work to visit a doctor. Over 1.5 million Americans currently use telephone consult services, which studies have shown provide equivalent healthcare outcomes at a lower cost. The model supports a more patient-centric approach through increased convenience and privacy compared to traditional office visits. It also helps reduce emergency room overuse for non-urgent issues.
Medical Informatics Update 2013 Programpaulgoldfarb
Event program for the Medical Informatics Update 2013 held October 16, 2013 and sponsored by the Center for Advanced Information Management at Columbia University and IBM Healthcare.
Prof Diana Schmidt's Talk at AIIMS on 8th January 2008Sukhdev Singh
Prof Diana Schmidt, School of Medical Informatics of Heidelberg University and Heilbronn University Germany, would be gave a talk on “Factors for success and failure of Telemedicine in Germany and USA” on 8th January 2008. She has permitted me to upload her presentation for the benefit of "Indian Association for Medical Informatics" members. It is being shared through IAMI Delhi Chapter Blog - http://iamidelhi.blogspot.com
The document discusses the "meaningful use" regulation for electronic health records (EHRs) in the US. It notes that while EHRs can improve care, widespread adoption has been slow. The HITECH Act provides $27 billion over 10 years to encourage EHR adoption through Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments. To receive payments, providers must meet objectives for meaningful use of EHRs to advance care processes and outcomes. The regulation outlines a core set and menu set of objectives providers must achieve, such as maintaining up-to-date patient health information, engaging patients, coordinating care, and reporting quality measures. The goals are widespread EHR use and improved healthcare through healthcare IT.
1) The home health care market in the US has potential to grow but faces many financial and operational barriers holding it back.
2) New technologies like remote patient monitoring and telemedicine are bringing advanced care into patients' homes but have low penetration due to misaligned incentives between payers and providers.
3) For a technology-enabled home care business model to succeed, it must satisfy financial, effectiveness, and accessibility factors - including having a clear value proposition, impacting patient outcomes, being easy to use, and integrating with clinical workflows.
Teleradiology is a branch of telemedicine in which telecommunication systems are used to transmit radiological images from one location to another. Interpretation of all noninvasive imaging studies, such as digitized x-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies, can be carried out in such a manner.
The first steps in teleradiology date back to 1929 when a medical image was transmitted via telegraph to a distant location
Whole systems demonstrator programme 2011Alfredo Alday
The Whole System Demonstrator programme was the largest randomized controlled trial of telehealth and telecare in the world. It involved over 6,000 patients across three sites testing the impact of remote monitoring technologies on patients with long term conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and COPD. The initial findings show telehealth reduced mortality by 45%, emergency hospital admissions by 20%, bed days by 14%, and costs by 8%. The program demonstrates that remote monitoring technologies can transform care delivery by empowering patients and reducing strain on hospitals if integrated into healthcare systems properly.
Optimizing your EHR Value through Patient EngagementBrian Ahier
The document discusses optimizing EHR value through patient engagement. It lists several Stage 1 and Stage 2 Meaningful Use objectives related to engaging patients and families, such as providing clinical summaries and discharge instructions electronically. It describes ways physicians can use health IT to facilitate patient involvement, like arranging exam rooms so patients can see screens and using portals and PHRs. The document also discusses enabling engagement between visits through secure messaging, reminders, and accessing records online. It promotes joining ONC's Pledge Program to empower patient partnership in health.
Telephone medical consults provide a convenient and affordable option for routine medical care through telephone consultations with physicians. The document discusses how telephone consults can increase access to care, particularly for rural communities and those who have difficulty taking time off work to visit a doctor. Over 1.5 million Americans currently use telephone consult services, which studies have shown provide equivalent healthcare outcomes at a lower cost. The model supports a more patient-centric approach through increased convenience and privacy compared to traditional office visits. It also helps reduce emergency room overuse for non-urgent issues.
Medical Informatics Update 2013 Programpaulgoldfarb
Event program for the Medical Informatics Update 2013 held October 16, 2013 and sponsored by the Center for Advanced Information Management at Columbia University and IBM Healthcare.
Prof Diana Schmidt's Talk at AIIMS on 8th January 2008Sukhdev Singh
Prof Diana Schmidt, School of Medical Informatics of Heidelberg University and Heilbronn University Germany, would be gave a talk on “Factors for success and failure of Telemedicine in Germany and USA” on 8th January 2008. She has permitted me to upload her presentation for the benefit of "Indian Association for Medical Informatics" members. It is being shared through IAMI Delhi Chapter Blog - http://iamidelhi.blogspot.com
The document discusses the "meaningful use" regulation for electronic health records (EHRs) in the US. It notes that while EHRs can improve care, widespread adoption has been slow. The HITECH Act provides $27 billion over 10 years to encourage EHR adoption through Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments. To receive payments, providers must meet objectives for meaningful use of EHRs to advance care processes and outcomes. The regulation outlines a core set and menu set of objectives providers must achieve, such as maintaining up-to-date patient health information, engaging patients, coordinating care, and reporting quality measures. The goals are widespread EHR use and improved healthcare through healthcare IT.
1) The home health care market in the US has potential to grow but faces many financial and operational barriers holding it back.
2) New technologies like remote patient monitoring and telemedicine are bringing advanced care into patients' homes but have low penetration due to misaligned incentives between payers and providers.
3) For a technology-enabled home care business model to succeed, it must satisfy financial, effectiveness, and accessibility factors - including having a clear value proposition, impacting patient outcomes, being easy to use, and integrating with clinical workflows.
Teleradiology is a branch of telemedicine in which telecommunication systems are used to transmit radiological images from one location to another. Interpretation of all noninvasive imaging studies, such as digitized x-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies, can be carried out in such a manner.
The first steps in teleradiology date back to 1929 when a medical image was transmitted via telegraph to a distant location
Whole systems demonstrator programme 2011Alfredo Alday
The Whole System Demonstrator programme was the largest randomized controlled trial of telehealth and telecare in the world. It involved over 6,000 patients across three sites testing the impact of remote monitoring technologies on patients with long term conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and COPD. The initial findings show telehealth reduced mortality by 45%, emergency hospital admissions by 20%, bed days by 14%, and costs by 8%. The program demonstrates that remote monitoring technologies can transform care delivery by empowering patients and reducing strain on hospitals if integrated into healthcare systems properly.
YouROK delivers a positive emotional health platform to help kids, families and professionals prevent mental health issues and build healthier families. The platform includes an app that builds emotional resilience while measuring deterioration in emotional well-being to proactively offer targeted treatment. Using deep learning to assess emotional health, YouROK keeps parents and professionals informed of a child's mental health status through a dashboard and alerts.
Order & Unity: UT Southwestern Case Study on Imaging AppropriatenessMick Brown
On a sunny Saturday in May 2017, nearly 400 primary care physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, technologists, and nurses crowded into the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine, Tex. Despite the beautiful spring weather, participants eagerly gathered indoors to attend the second “The Right Scan from Head to Toe” radiology utilization conference, where they would learn about and discuss best practices for enhancing performance- based metrics when ordering radiology exams.
Telemedicine helping doctors and patients in pandemicGautam Verma
While every other country is now vowing to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, the addition of telemedicine and online consultations is bound to play an extremely important role in the coming years. The connect between doctor and patient is getting redefined with technology.
Overcoming Fear of Health Technology Programsbartlettc
This document summarizes a presentation given by Prof. Mukesh Haikerwal and Chris Bartlett on using 21st century tools to overcome challenges in healthcare. It discusses how health technology programs have had some success but also poor publicity. Rising healthcare costs are challenging many countries. While developing economies spend less on healthcare currently, that spending is expected to increase with economic development. There is a need to better manage chronic diseases through tools like eHealth. New technological trends are impacting all parts of the healthcare system. Successful eHealth programs require leadership, a focus on users, and addressing behavioral changes.
The Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) uses lay care guides to remotely monitor patients with chronic illnesses through daily phone calls. The calls analyze patients' health and social situations to predict health risks and chances of hospitalization. PaJR has completed Phase 1, comparing hospitalization rates between monitored patients and controls. Phase 2 is an ongoing regional trial monitoring over 130 patients. Preliminary results show the control group has approximately 3 times higher unplanned admission rates. PaJR aims to detect health issues earlier to reduce avoidable hospitalizations through low-cost monitoring and support.
The Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) uses lay care guides to remotely monitor patients with chronic illnesses through daily phone calls. The calls analyze patients' health and social situations to predict health risks and the need for hospitalization. PaJR has completed Phase 1, which found lower hospitalization rates among monitored patients compared to controls. Phase 2 is ongoing in two sites and continues to recruit more patients and controls. Preliminary results again show lower admission rates for monitored patients. The system aims to detect health issues earlier through closer monitoring to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and shift care to the community.
This document discusses telehealth and highlights the need for more robust evidence on its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness through high-quality studies. It provides definitions of telehealth and telemedicine. While telehealth has potential benefits, the evidence from systematic reviews is mixed and inconclusive. Larger controlled trials are still needed to demonstrate clear benefits. Decision-makers require strong evidence from well-designed studies to justify full-scale implementation of telehealth services.
Tele-ophthalmology: the new normal in current timesObaidur Rehman
Covers telehealth and telemedicine in general. Tele-ophthalmology development in India. Practice and patterns as defined by concerned authorities. Guidelines as set up Govt of India. Current tele-ophthalmology projects in India
Is the increasing availability of automated image analysis a possibility to strengthen the application of diffusion-MRI as a biometric parameter, and to enhance the future of image biobanks? Or is this evolution threatening the position of radiologists as medical doctors. Is a redefinition of radiologist as computer technicians inevitable?
The National Center for Primary Care (NCPC) is the only congressionally sanctioned center in the US dedicated to promoting optimal healthcare, especially for underserved communities. Headquartered at Morehouse School of Medicine, NCPC is committed to improving national health.
Nyberg Goodit CeBit Tele Health Germany 2007timornyberg
The document discusses healthcare networks at local and global levels. It describes personal health records and networks of care providers, as well as information networks like electronic health records and clinical lab networks. Mobile healthcare applications show benefits like improved quality of life and compliance for patients with chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. However, more clinical trials are still needed to demonstrate their quality and economic impacts.
The challenges and opportunities in telemedicine during COVID 19 pandemic
Project supervisors: Dr. Rosalind Silverman and Dr. Lorelei Silverman
Background A multidisciplinary team consisting of premedical and predental students, internationally trained doctors, and IT professionals will showcase the present and future of telemedicine post COVID 19 era.
Methodology Our team researched literature and surveyed telemedicine clinics in Canada to identify the usage of telemedicine, devices, advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine in 18 medical disciplines.
Results We will present new technologies and best practice in telemedicine and tele dentistry as well as the practical use in clinics across Canada, USA, and internationally. We will also demonstrate the further role of telemedicine in expanding the field, and challenges and opportunities during COVID19. In addition, we will share our survey of application of telemedicine to telepsychiatry, teleradiology, telepathology, telecardiology, tele respirology, pediatrics, women health, ophthalmology, ENT, emergency response, physiatry, gastroenterology, infertility, dermatology, oncology, palliative care, allergology, rheumatology, and plastic surgery. The advantages of telemedicine such as fast access to care, reduced cost, cutting down on commuting, travelling in bad weather, taking time off from work, need for childcare, immobile patients, remote areas, cultural taboos are also assessed. The disadvantages of telemedicine are mainly present in older population that has less exposure to technology and the concern over data security.
Conclusion In sum, using virtual health care tools and telemedicine we can shorten wait times to see a provider, reduce the risk of community infection, improve training, and expand the range of access to specialists who live further away or need to be consulted for a second opinion
To understand the definition of telemedicine
Knowing the history of telemedicine
To understand the advantages of telemedicine
Telemedicine during COVID 19
Future of telemedicine
Benefits of telemedicine
What does “patient centricity” really mean and how is it actually done? This was the driving question of the DayOne Experts Meeting in Basel, co-hosted by Arcondis.
Startupfest 2015: DR. JONATHAN KANEVSKY - "Future of" stageStartupfest
The future of medicine
The future of medicine is bright. In the era of big data, nanotechnology, and advanced robotics, medicine is becoming more advanced than ever. Dr. Kanevsky will outline the most interesting innovations in medicine and surgery that are changing the face of healthcare.
Informed consent in telemedicine confidentiality and privacy of telemedical ...Shazia Iqbal
The document discusses informed consent in telemedicine. It defines telemedicine and the importance of confidentiality and privacy in telemedical information. Guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association and American Telemedicine Association emphasize competency of physicians and patients, informed consent, and security/privacy measures. Risks of telemedicine include technology disruptions and privacy breaches, while benefits include increased access and engagement. Legal and ethical issues around telemedicine include ensuring patient confidentiality, avoiding harm, obtaining informed consent, and maintaining data security.
this is a report of my summer internship that i had done in Ruby hall clinic(550 beds) Pune.Title of my project is "Feasiablity study of implementation of personal health records in Ruby hall clinic".
Title: Closing Keynote: Winning the Battle Against Brain Attacks: Fighting Back with Telehealth
Description: The final keynote will showcase how the University of Virginia Health System is leveraging its Stroke Telemedicine and Tele-education program (STAT) to efficiently manage care both pre- and post-stroke for patients, providing improved and timely access. This session will highlight what's been successful, and how advances in mobile health are advancing the ability of this program to succeed for patients and providers.
Speaker: Andrew Southerland, MD, MSc
Objectives: Discuss how telehealth technology can be leveraged to optimize stroke management. Describe how telehealth can be used to achieve cost and quality goals
Outline how telehealth can be used to improve both patient and provider satisfaction.
Healthcare costs are rising faster than the economy and new solutions are needed. Mobile devices and telehealth can help by reducing missed appointments, improving medication adherence for chronic conditions, and allowing remote monitoring to reduce hospitalizations. Studies show text messaging appointment reminders through mobile phones in primary care reduced missed appointments by 15-20% and increased response rates for high-risk patients. Telehealth trials in the UK showed reductions in hospital admissions and visits through remote monitoring of conditions like COPD, congestive heart failure and diabetes. Vensa is working on a telehealth network and trial in New Zealand to further these opportunities through mobile devices.
Meeting healthcare challenges: what are the challenges and what is the role o...Mohammad Al-Ubaydli
The document discusses the challenges facing healthcare systems and the role that e-health can play in addressing these challenges. The major challenges are quality and safety, access, responsiveness, and affordability. E-health can help by providing access to electronic patient records, reducing complexity, optimizing information processing, and increasing efficiency. It can also help with navigation through the healthcare system and engaging patients in their own health. The document advocates for free access to research information and using data to identify at-risk patients in need of care.
YouROK delivers a positive emotional health platform to help kids, families and professionals prevent mental health issues and build healthier families. The platform includes an app that builds emotional resilience while measuring deterioration in emotional well-being to proactively offer targeted treatment. Using deep learning to assess emotional health, YouROK keeps parents and professionals informed of a child's mental health status through a dashboard and alerts.
Order & Unity: UT Southwestern Case Study on Imaging AppropriatenessMick Brown
On a sunny Saturday in May 2017, nearly 400 primary care physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, technologists, and nurses crowded into the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine, Tex. Despite the beautiful spring weather, participants eagerly gathered indoors to attend the second “The Right Scan from Head to Toe” radiology utilization conference, where they would learn about and discuss best practices for enhancing performance- based metrics when ordering radiology exams.
Telemedicine helping doctors and patients in pandemicGautam Verma
While every other country is now vowing to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, the addition of telemedicine and online consultations is bound to play an extremely important role in the coming years. The connect between doctor and patient is getting redefined with technology.
Overcoming Fear of Health Technology Programsbartlettc
This document summarizes a presentation given by Prof. Mukesh Haikerwal and Chris Bartlett on using 21st century tools to overcome challenges in healthcare. It discusses how health technology programs have had some success but also poor publicity. Rising healthcare costs are challenging many countries. While developing economies spend less on healthcare currently, that spending is expected to increase with economic development. There is a need to better manage chronic diseases through tools like eHealth. New technological trends are impacting all parts of the healthcare system. Successful eHealth programs require leadership, a focus on users, and addressing behavioral changes.
The Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) uses lay care guides to remotely monitor patients with chronic illnesses through daily phone calls. The calls analyze patients' health and social situations to predict health risks and chances of hospitalization. PaJR has completed Phase 1, comparing hospitalization rates between monitored patients and controls. Phase 2 is an ongoing regional trial monitoring over 130 patients. Preliminary results show the control group has approximately 3 times higher unplanned admission rates. PaJR aims to detect health issues earlier to reduce avoidable hospitalizations through low-cost monitoring and support.
The Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) uses lay care guides to remotely monitor patients with chronic illnesses through daily phone calls. The calls analyze patients' health and social situations to predict health risks and the need for hospitalization. PaJR has completed Phase 1, which found lower hospitalization rates among monitored patients compared to controls. Phase 2 is ongoing in two sites and continues to recruit more patients and controls. Preliminary results again show lower admission rates for monitored patients. The system aims to detect health issues earlier through closer monitoring to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and shift care to the community.
This document discusses telehealth and highlights the need for more robust evidence on its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness through high-quality studies. It provides definitions of telehealth and telemedicine. While telehealth has potential benefits, the evidence from systematic reviews is mixed and inconclusive. Larger controlled trials are still needed to demonstrate clear benefits. Decision-makers require strong evidence from well-designed studies to justify full-scale implementation of telehealth services.
Tele-ophthalmology: the new normal in current timesObaidur Rehman
Covers telehealth and telemedicine in general. Tele-ophthalmology development in India. Practice and patterns as defined by concerned authorities. Guidelines as set up Govt of India. Current tele-ophthalmology projects in India
Is the increasing availability of automated image analysis a possibility to strengthen the application of diffusion-MRI as a biometric parameter, and to enhance the future of image biobanks? Or is this evolution threatening the position of radiologists as medical doctors. Is a redefinition of radiologist as computer technicians inevitable?
The National Center for Primary Care (NCPC) is the only congressionally sanctioned center in the US dedicated to promoting optimal healthcare, especially for underserved communities. Headquartered at Morehouse School of Medicine, NCPC is committed to improving national health.
Nyberg Goodit CeBit Tele Health Germany 2007timornyberg
The document discusses healthcare networks at local and global levels. It describes personal health records and networks of care providers, as well as information networks like electronic health records and clinical lab networks. Mobile healthcare applications show benefits like improved quality of life and compliance for patients with chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. However, more clinical trials are still needed to demonstrate their quality and economic impacts.
The challenges and opportunities in telemedicine during COVID 19 pandemic
Project supervisors: Dr. Rosalind Silverman and Dr. Lorelei Silverman
Background A multidisciplinary team consisting of premedical and predental students, internationally trained doctors, and IT professionals will showcase the present and future of telemedicine post COVID 19 era.
Methodology Our team researched literature and surveyed telemedicine clinics in Canada to identify the usage of telemedicine, devices, advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine in 18 medical disciplines.
Results We will present new technologies and best practice in telemedicine and tele dentistry as well as the practical use in clinics across Canada, USA, and internationally. We will also demonstrate the further role of telemedicine in expanding the field, and challenges and opportunities during COVID19. In addition, we will share our survey of application of telemedicine to telepsychiatry, teleradiology, telepathology, telecardiology, tele respirology, pediatrics, women health, ophthalmology, ENT, emergency response, physiatry, gastroenterology, infertility, dermatology, oncology, palliative care, allergology, rheumatology, and plastic surgery. The advantages of telemedicine such as fast access to care, reduced cost, cutting down on commuting, travelling in bad weather, taking time off from work, need for childcare, immobile patients, remote areas, cultural taboos are also assessed. The disadvantages of telemedicine are mainly present in older population that has less exposure to technology and the concern over data security.
Conclusion In sum, using virtual health care tools and telemedicine we can shorten wait times to see a provider, reduce the risk of community infection, improve training, and expand the range of access to specialists who live further away or need to be consulted for a second opinion
To understand the definition of telemedicine
Knowing the history of telemedicine
To understand the advantages of telemedicine
Telemedicine during COVID 19
Future of telemedicine
Benefits of telemedicine
What does “patient centricity” really mean and how is it actually done? This was the driving question of the DayOne Experts Meeting in Basel, co-hosted by Arcondis.
Startupfest 2015: DR. JONATHAN KANEVSKY - "Future of" stageStartupfest
The future of medicine
The future of medicine is bright. In the era of big data, nanotechnology, and advanced robotics, medicine is becoming more advanced than ever. Dr. Kanevsky will outline the most interesting innovations in medicine and surgery that are changing the face of healthcare.
Informed consent in telemedicine confidentiality and privacy of telemedical ...Shazia Iqbal
The document discusses informed consent in telemedicine. It defines telemedicine and the importance of confidentiality and privacy in telemedical information. Guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association and American Telemedicine Association emphasize competency of physicians and patients, informed consent, and security/privacy measures. Risks of telemedicine include technology disruptions and privacy breaches, while benefits include increased access and engagement. Legal and ethical issues around telemedicine include ensuring patient confidentiality, avoiding harm, obtaining informed consent, and maintaining data security.
this is a report of my summer internship that i had done in Ruby hall clinic(550 beds) Pune.Title of my project is "Feasiablity study of implementation of personal health records in Ruby hall clinic".
Title: Closing Keynote: Winning the Battle Against Brain Attacks: Fighting Back with Telehealth
Description: The final keynote will showcase how the University of Virginia Health System is leveraging its Stroke Telemedicine and Tele-education program (STAT) to efficiently manage care both pre- and post-stroke for patients, providing improved and timely access. This session will highlight what's been successful, and how advances in mobile health are advancing the ability of this program to succeed for patients and providers.
Speaker: Andrew Southerland, MD, MSc
Objectives: Discuss how telehealth technology can be leveraged to optimize stroke management. Describe how telehealth can be used to achieve cost and quality goals
Outline how telehealth can be used to improve both patient and provider satisfaction.
Healthcare costs are rising faster than the economy and new solutions are needed. Mobile devices and telehealth can help by reducing missed appointments, improving medication adherence for chronic conditions, and allowing remote monitoring to reduce hospitalizations. Studies show text messaging appointment reminders through mobile phones in primary care reduced missed appointments by 15-20% and increased response rates for high-risk patients. Telehealth trials in the UK showed reductions in hospital admissions and visits through remote monitoring of conditions like COPD, congestive heart failure and diabetes. Vensa is working on a telehealth network and trial in New Zealand to further these opportunities through mobile devices.
Meeting healthcare challenges: what are the challenges and what is the role o...Mohammad Al-Ubaydli
The document discusses the challenges facing healthcare systems and the role that e-health can play in addressing these challenges. The major challenges are quality and safety, access, responsiveness, and affordability. E-health can help by providing access to electronic patient records, reducing complexity, optimizing information processing, and increasing efficiency. It can also help with navigation through the healthcare system and engaging patients in their own health. The document advocates for free access to research information and using data to identify at-risk patients in need of care.
The document is a systematic literature review of 74 studies on home care in Europe between 1998-2009. It finds that:
- Studies provided information on home care systems in 18 countries, with most focusing on Sweden and the UK.
- Many studies had a descriptive or cross-sectional design and examined characteristics of elderly home care recipients or home care professionals.
- Most studies addressed organization/service delivery and financing, with less information on policy/regulation and clients/informal carers.
- There was variability between and within countries in home care systems. More international comparative research is still needed.
Case management involves coordinating healthcare services for people with diabetes. The Task Force found strong evidence that diabetes case management improves glycemic control. Case management includes appointing a case manager to oversee services, assessing needs, developing care plans, implementing plans, and monitoring results. A review of 15 studies found case management reduced average HbA1c levels by 0.53% when combined with disease management and 0.40% without it. However, the evidence was insufficient to determine the effectiveness on other health outcomes.
This document describes the "Five M's" approach for teaching diabetes self-management skills to patients in the hospital. The five categories are: Meter (blood glucose monitoring), Meds (medication management), Meals (meal planning), Move (physical activity), and More (problem-solving skills and reducing health risks). For each M, the summary provides when to address it, questions to ask patients, and how to individualize teaching for that skill. The approach aims to give patients "survival skills" in a simple format using teachable moments before discharge.
This document summarizes and discusses a scholarly article about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and its potential impact on elevating public health in the United States. Some key points:
1. PPACA includes many provisions aimed at prevention, wellness promotion and population health interventions, which could help shift the national focus from "sick care" to "health care".
2. However, the ultimate impact of these public health provisions will depend on future implementing regulations and funding appropriations.
3. Successfully implementing a broad public health agenda in the US may face significant cultural and political challenges, as attitudes toward government intervention and lifestyle choices differ from other countries with stronger public health systems.
This document discusses the evolution of telehealth from traditional fixed systems to a new era of mobile telehealth, or "Telehealth 2.0". It describes how mobile devices and wireless connectivity now provide a robust platform for telehealth. Key applications like telestroke are incorporating mobile technologies to provide doctors access to patient information and consult with specialists from anywhere via smartphones and tablets. This new mobile approach addresses limitations of prior telehealth systems and could help drive broader adoption of telehealth.
2Running Head Nursing Informatics on Patient Outcomes 2Nurs.docxlorainedeserre
2
Running Head: Nursing Informatics on Patient Outcomes
2
Nursing Informatics on Patient Outcomes
The Impact of Nursing Informatics on Patient Outcomes and Patient Care Efficiencies
Nicole L Rosser
Walden University
NURS 6051
June 16, 2019
The Impact of Nursing Informatics on Patient Outcomes and Patient Care Efficiencies
According to Agha (2014) “Information technology has been linked to productivity growth in a wide variety of sectors, and health information technology (HIT) is a leading example of an innovation with the potential to transform industry-wide productivity.” Due to evidence-based practice research with informatics in the healthcare setting has proven to be a well-known, much needed entity. Studies have shown the efficiency of technology in healthcare improved documentation for healthcare providers and nurses. Healthcare technology also provides a means for organizations to communicate with each other without even picking up a phone. Another, aspect of technology in healthcare allows the healthcare team to monitor trends and changes in a patient’s status. For example, a critical patient on a cardiac monitor would alarm to quickly notify the nurse that a critical change has occurred for timely interventions to take place. With stroke being the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. adopting Stroke Telemedicine into practice would be innovative for any organization. Much research has shown that healthcare facilities remain untrained and unprepared for stroke care and management.
Proposed Project
The project proposed to better equip my organization with treating stroke patients is Telestroke. According to the Mayo Clinic (2019) “In telestroke, also called stroke telemedicine, doctors who have advanced training in treating strokes can use technology to treat people who have had strokes in another location.” The use of this system is said to reduce wait time for an onsite neurologist and to increase one’s chances of receiving prompt treatment for a desirable outcome. This service will also save money by preventing Medicare and Medicaid from having to pay rehabilitation cost due to disabilities and long-term care. Telestroke will also provide efficient time for Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA). The drug tPA is an FDA-approved medication also known as a clot buster use in treating strokes to dissolve that which may be causing an ischemic stroke. However, it is contraindicated with a hemorrhagic stroke which may cause an excessive amount of bleeding if given due to the broken vessels that may have caused the stroke. This service has brought together neurologist and emergency physicians that feel using Telestroke will reduce geographical disparities and prevent increased cost from misuse of other medical facilities.
Stakeholder Impacted by This Project
One of the main stakeholdersthat would be affected in this project would be Dr. Buehler who is the regional director of all the Urgent Cares and Clinical Decision- ...
The document discusses emerging home health monitoring technologies that promise to enhance care for aging patients and reduce healthcare costs through remote patient monitoring. However, reimbursement from Medicare and other payers has not kept pace, posing financial challenges for healthcare providers looking to adopt these technologies. Some states have begun reimbursing for telehealth services, but widespread reimbursement will be necessary for these technologies to truly transform home healthcare. The future of home health monitoring depends on resolving the conflict between providers wanting to invest in new technologies and payers refusing to pay until technologies are proven effective.
The growth of teledermatology expanding to reach the underserved.IMSS
This document summarizes the current state of teledermatology in the United States. It discusses how teledermatology can help expand access to dermatological care for underserved communities by allowing remote consultations. The document reviews trends in teledermatology utilization, as well as policies around reimbursement, licensing, and health record integration in the US. It finds that while telemedicine adoption is growing, regulations and coverage still vary significantly between states and insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Telehealth offers convenient virtual care that can reduce costs while improving outcomes. It allows patients to access care remotely through video or phone instead of visiting physical offices. This saves money by reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and tests. It also improves productivity and wellness by making care more accessible. Telehealth is highly satisfactory to patients and can help prevent medical issues by facilitating preventative care. Its 24/7 availability makes telehealth a valuable option for employers and insurers to include in health plans.
The document discusses the potential roles and applications of wireless technology in healthcare. It describes how cell phones are becoming ubiquitous personal computing devices well-suited for delivering healthcare applications. Some current uses include monitoring physiological functions and providing patients with health information and feedback to encourage self-management of chronic conditions. Challenges include establishing reimbursement, proving benefits, ensuring privacy and developing standards.
The document discusses how Canada's healthcare system can be improved through adopting a value-based model and increased use of technology. It notes that Canada's system scores below average on key indicators and is fragmented with siloed administration and funding. Implementing value-based healthcare, which focuses on patient outcomes and bundles all costs of a patient's journey, could lower costs and improve quality by breaking down these silos. Emerging technologies also offer opportunities to provide better care and save lives at lower costs, but the current system does not always embrace these due to its compartmentalized structure.
Digital Health: Medicine at the CroosroadsSteven Peskin
This document discusses the implications of mobile health and social media in clinical practice. It describes the three components of digital health as applications, devices, and infrastructure. Mobile technologies and social media have tremendous potential to improve care delivery, patient safety, information dissemination, and chronic disease management. The document outlines how physician communities on social media can facilitate knowledge sharing and discusses the growth of medical apps. It predicts that mobile health and social media will become integrated into everyday healthcare through digital tools and communities.
Here are 5 things to know about what is Telemedicine solution: 1. History of Telemedicine 2. How It Works 3. Types of Telemedicine Services 4. Telemedicine Is Effective In Chronic Disease Management
The document discusses 10 megatrends shaping healthcare and healthcare IT over the next 5-10 years based on a meta-analysis of several leading sources. The megatrends are organized into three groups: medicine, politics and society, and technology. Some of the key megatrends discussed include the rise of telemonitoring of patients, personalised medicine enabled by electronic health records, aging populations in western countries, increasing healthcare costs requiring value-based approaches, medical tourism and globalization, the growth of cloud computing and mobile technologies, and emerging fields like robotics and nanotechnology.
Case Study: How Social Media Can Improve Communication & Collaboration During...Joel Selzer
Case Study on how social media provides alternative methods of communication and collaboration during a public health crisis. During the H1N1 Influenza outbreak, physicians utilized the new Ozmosis / Veratect Health Alerts solution to access real-time reports, discuss treatment options and submit suspected cases. The presentation also highlights examples of how organizations such as the CDC utilized Twitter and YouTube during the crisis. This Case Study was presented at the HIMSS National Capital Area Meeting on Thursday, May 21st in Roslyn, Virginia.
H1N1 Influenza: How Social Media Improves Communication & Collaboration For P...jmbhan
How Ozmosis, the Physician's Trusted Network used a social media platform to keep physicians informed and up to date during the H1N1 Pandemic wave in 2009.
Respond to 2 students 250 words each and include a reference with ea.docxmackulaytoni
Respond to 2 students 250 words each and include a reference with each about Electronic Medical Records now and in the year 2025...
Student#1
After reading all 4 scenarios for primary care, by 2025 and reading several articles. I believe the U.S. healthcare system will represent scenarios 1 and scenarios 4 due to the rapid changes in technology. With the electronic health records (EHR) and new technologies emerging this will improve quality of care, while reducing cost, and by allowing patients to monitor, record, and participate in their own preventive care, progress, and which will produce better outcome for each individual needs (Ginter, P.M.; Duncan, W.J.; Swayne, L.E. 2013). New technology will make it easier for patients to address their questions and concern by phone or online access to their physician directly.
Based on today’s issue due to cuts in the federal health care spending, Medicare restricting payments to hospitals that perform sufficient amount of surgical procedures where this is known to result in better outcomes, and the global debit crisis which has put the country in a recession with healthcare being hit the harder due to millions of Americans are still uninsured, employees are paying higher premium and out of pocket for health care has contributed to the lack of affordable health insurance, and high quality of care (Ward, M.; Daniels, S.A.; Walker. G.J.; and Duckett, S. 2007).
Even though physicians are more likely to receive a financial incentive for improving on the quality of care while controlling the volume of service they provide and deliver (Ward, M.: Daniels, S.A.; Walker, G.J.; and Duckett, S. 2007).
In my scenarios in health care in 2025 will be due to people are starting to live, longer, and healthy lives due to becoming more involved in their own preventive care by changing their eating habits and exercising more. I believe within the next 10 to 15 years that majority of Americans will receive free preventive maintain services; safer hospitals; ability to access their own medical records; more affordable health care with lower increases in insurance premiums; more information about prices on diagnosis codes, procedures codes, and quality of care (Ezekiel, E. 2014). With Electronic health records (EHR) and new technology emerging with be a major tool in helping patients monitor their own blood pressure, glucose levels, and participate more in their own health care while increasing patient contact by phone, email, or online with their personal physicians without having to wait for hours for a response. There concerns can be addressed more quickly.
Student#2
Hea
l
thcare
has come a long way in such a short period of time and will continue on this model of rapid growth within the next few years as well. This is not only to the medical breakthroughs and
te
ch
niques
which are utilized but also the health care field and client based experiences which patients rely on. These changes encompass
access
i
b.
Technology is changing how medicine is practiced and empowering consumers to take more control of their health. Doctors can now examine patients remotely through telemedicine and use robotic technology in surgery. Patients are also monitoring their own health using devices and participating in online health communities. This transformation may lessen the human touch in healthcare but also make services more convenient and accessible.
The document summarizes discussions and presentations from the annual USC Body Computing Conference, which brings together leaders in medicine, technology, and healthcare to discuss advances in wireless medical solutions and mobile health. Key topics included using genomic data and mobile sensors to personalize cancer care and chronic disease management, monitoring health indicators remotely, and regulatory issues around mobile health apps and medical devices. Presenters demonstrated technologies for monitoring athletes and drivers' vital signs, and providing affordable healthcare access in developing nations.
This research paper outlines the idea of cost-effective health care, which minimizes 'unnecessary' patients tests and procedures that do not improve patient outcomes. The analysis focused on examining current trends in cost-effective health care, the rise of modern medical technologies involved in cost-effective health care, and the benefits of the U.S. implementing a cost-effective health care system. Mrs. McCallister and Dr. Pahwa were instrumental in the formation of this paper.
1) By 2025, the US healthcare system will represent scenarios where rapid technological changes improve quality of care and reduce costs through electronic health records and patients monitoring their own preventive care.
2) Widespread use of electronic health records and telemedicine will allow patients to easily access their medical records and contact physicians online or by phone.
3) Increased patient involvement in preventive care through lifestyle changes and new technologies, along with more affordable healthcare options, will lead to Americans living longer, healthier lives by 2025.
1) By 2025, the US healthcare system will represent scenarios where rapid technological changes improve quality of care and reduce costs through electronic health records and patients monitoring their own preventive care.
2) Widespread use of electronic health records and telehealth will allow patients to easily access their medical records and contact physicians online or by phone without long wait times.
3) Increased patient involvement in preventive care through healthy lifestyle changes and new technologies monitoring health will lead to longer, healthier lives in 2025.
Vidyo helped REACH Health Effectively Handle Emergency CareVidyo, Inc.
REACH Health is at the forefront of delivering patient care with telemedicine platform, especially in acute and emergency scenarios. Bringing expert healthcare teams and remote patients together for better interactions and healthcare workflow was a challenge.
Vidyo’s software based video conferencing capabilities was integrated into REACH telehealth system which allows physicians to connect with patients in no time. REACH Health is equipped with time immediate physician assistance possibility in the area of telestroke using Vidyo’s video conferencing platform.
More about Vidyo’s telemedicine solutions: http://www.vidyo.com/solutions/healthcare/
Expert Opinion - Would You Invest In A Digital Doctor_Hamish Clark
This document discusses the future of healthcare in the Middle East and opportunities for investors. It notes that healthcare systems are struggling to keep up with increasing demand and costs of chronic diseases. New technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital healthcare delivery could help address workforce shortages and improve productivity. These changes may significantly alter the roles of clinicians over the next 5 years. The document suggests investors should consider companies applying these new technologies to reinvent healthcare models.
Similar to New healthcare delivery_options_will_help_meet.4 (20)
A newspaper article discusses affordable universal healthcare and progress towards development goals. It notes that in 2015, the UN adopted goals aiming to provide universal healthcare coverage for all citizens worldwide by 2030. Currently, only about half the world's population has access to essential health services.
The document outlines the budget for HIV/AIDS and TB activities in South Africa for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, including funds for testing, treatment, and case management. It details the budgets for various line items such as laboratory services, drugs and supplies, human resources, and district allocations. The budgets are broken down by funding source and program area with specific grant reference numbers provided.
1. The document reports HIV/AIDS statistics for 2556, including 157,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and 3,276.8 new infections.
2. Treatment guidelines are outlined for different CD4 count levels, including the use of viral load monitoring, second line regimens, and laboratory tests.
3. Barriers and recommendations for improving linkage and retention in care are discussed, such as expanding access across different health coverage schemes and centers of excellence.
1. The document reports HIV/AIDS statistics for 2556, including 157,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and 3,276.8 new infections.
2. Treatment guidelines are outlined for different CD4 count levels, including the use of viral load monitoring, second line regimens, and laboratory tests.
3. Barriers and recommendations for improving linkage and retention in care are discussed, such as expanding access across different health coverage schemes and centers of excellence.
1. S CAN N I N G TH E H O R I Z O N
MARCUS WELBY
MEETS THE 21ST
CENTURY
Innovative Healthcare Delivery Options Will Help Meet The Challenges Of The
Healthcare Reform Law
BY DARCY LEWIS
T
here’s an old saying about not being able to fit 10 As a result of these challenges, the hunt is on to find new ways
pounds of flour in a five-pound sack. The healthcare to reduce healthcare costs and increase efficiency as more patients
reform bill President Barack Obama signed into law — enter an already strained system.
and the hundreds of regulations that government staff- “There is a perfect storm brewing as the population ages and
ers are writing to implement it — promise to significantly change requires more care. Meanwhile, more patients will be entering a
the practice of medicine, as millions of people who did not have healthcare system where there aren’t enough physicians to meet
or could not afford health insurance will be making routine ap- the needs of the patients we have already,” says Zeev Neuwirth,
pointments with primary care doctors, seeking consultations and M.D., Chief of Clinical Effectiveness and Innovation at Harvard
second opinions with specialists and getting diagnostic testing Vanguard Medical Associates in suburban Boston. “Finally, health-
without a proportional increase in the number of providers and fa- care costs are a tremendous burden on our economy. We must
cilities. Some facts and figures to consider: make healthcare more efficient for the health of the country, the
Approximately 32 million uninsured people will be covered health of the economy — that is our imperative.”
by 2019. This includes 16 million who will enroll in Medicaid, Heathcare providers from solo practitioners to large medi-
the federal government’s health insurance program for low- cal centers are considering and trying out dozens of ideas and
income Americans. technologies to streamline the delivery of care without sacrificing
In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau projected that in 2010 quality. These initiatives range from multi-billion-dollar ideas, such
there would be 12.3 million Americans aged 65-69 who are as implementing electronic health records nationwide, to modest
eligible to receive Medicare, and that there would be 16.8 mil- innovations, such as a cell-phone app that helps patients man-
lion in the 60-64 age group — that is , next in line to receive age their health. Telemedicine, mobile medicine, shared medical
health benefits from the federal
government’s insurance for older
Americans. That’s a 25 percent
increase in just five years.
According to the American Medi-
cal Association, the current phy-
sician shortage will swell to as
many as 159,000 physicians by
2025. Already, 22 states and 15
medical specialties have reported
not having enough practitioners
to meet patient demand. Given
the current system of health care
finance, better pay tends to draw
new physicians — who start their
careers saddled with hundreds of
thousands of dollars in medical
school loans — to lucrative spe-
cialties instead of primary care.
16 H EART I N S I G HT • N OVE M B E R 2010
2. When a colleague at a hospital 90 miles away sent this photo of a patient’s leg to Dr. Javeed Siddiqui’s cell phone, he was able to
diagnose a life-threatening infection.
appointments and E-mail consults are four that have the poten- says Lee Schwamm, M.D., F.A.H.A., Director of TeleStroke and
tial to be game-changers. “These technologies respond directly to Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Bos-
consumers’ preferences and permit doctors to focus on what they ton. “It’s an immersive experience that lets the physician feel as if
do best: provide safe, high quality care to their patients when they [he or she is] really at the patient’s bedside.”
need it and where they need it,” says Catherine Dower, Associate The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical
Director of Research for the Center for the Health Professions at Health Act (HITECH Act) of 2009, which provides federal incen-
the University of California-San Francisco. tives for healthcare providers to invest in health information tech-
nology, will spur wider adoption of telemedicine. “The HITECH Act
A DOC AT YOUR BEDSIDE WITHOUT BEING IN THE includes a lot more federal money and support for telehealth,” says
ROOM Dower. “People will finally have the money to test these innovative
Doctors are leading the charge for telemedicine — videoconfer- ideas and see what really works.”
encing that lets physicians diagnose and treat patients remotely Stroke telemedicine (or telestroke), has already gained rapid
— to become more widely used throughout the medical system. acceptance by doctors and patients alike, because it increases ac-
“The term generally refers to the ability to review real-time, cess to stroke specialists, especially in rural or other underserved
high-quality video and the ability to zoom in and out as needed,” areas. The U.S. averages only four neurologists per 100,000 peo-
H EART I N S I G HT • N OVE M B E R 2010 17
3. ple, and not all of them specialize in stroke. In areas where there tors can do without actually laying hands on a patient — for instance,
aren’t enough stroke specialists to go around, a telestroke evalu- a telemedicine stethoscope that can allow pediatric cardiologists,
ation is as effective as a bedside stroke evaluation to determine if who are in short supply in many parts of the country, to hear the
a suspected acute stroke patient is a candidate for treatment with heart sounds and “see” a young patient visit via a teleconference.
tPA, according to a 2009 scientific statement on telestroke issued
by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. DIAGNOSING ON THE GO
The clot-busting drug can reduce brain damage if administered Mobile health, an emerging field within telemedicine, uses cell
within three hours of the onset of symptoms. phones and smart phones that can take photographs or short vid-
“Every hospital has a CT scanner, a lab and a pharmacy to pro- eos to enable doctors to make diagnoses from wherever they hap-
vide tPA — and now telestroke provides the specialist expertise,” pen to be, not just where the video equipment is located.
says Schwamm, who was the lead author of the AHA/ASA scien- Javeed Siddiqui, M.D., Associate Medical Director at the Center for
tific statement. Harvard Medical School reinforced the AHA/ASA Health and Technology, University of California-Davis, had been doing
findings in a special report issued in September, “Stroke: Prevent- regular telemedicine consults with a small hospital 90 miles away. But
ing and Treating ‘Brain Attack’”, which noted: “Telestroke programs one night, he received a text at home from a colleague who was con-
are especially useful for helping physicians at smaller hospitals cerned about a newly admitted patient with a serious infection. After
determine when to use clot-busting therapy. In these hospitals, some discussion, Siddiqui asked his colleague to take a picture of the
telestroke may be the only way for a patient to receive potentially man’s leg with his cell phone and E-mail it to him.
brain-preserving treatment in time.” Using his cell phone, Siddiqui was able to magnify the image
As telestroke proves its value and more institutions are invest- and determine that the patient had a strep infection that had pro-
ing in the necessary video equipment, other medical specialties gressed to life-threatening toxic shock syndrome. He ordered the
are getting in on the act. “Video consults from academic health most effective antibiotics, and the patient was wheeled into sur-
systems to rural hospitals are growing significantly for both acute gery just two hours later. “So much of medicine is getting the right
situations and managing chronic conditions like uncontrolled high information to the right person at the right time,” he says. “Because
blood pressure,” says Thomas Nesbitt, M.D., a senior administrator my colleague and I both had our cell phones, we were able to start
in the University of California-Davis Health System and Execu- the correct treatment without losing time and the patient walked
tive Director for Telehealth Services at the Center for Connected out of the hospital just five days later.”
Health Policy in Sacramento, CA. “That’s a better way to use the
scarce resource, which is the specialist’s time, and it keeps people SHARING IS CARING
from having to travel great distances.” As promising as telemedicine is, there is one thing it cannot do:
Take the 25-bed Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, OR, increase the number of hours in the day that a doctor can see
which obtains remote care from 11 different medical special- patients. But what if the doctor instead increases the number of
ist teams in four states. One of their telemedicine offerings is patients he or she can see in a day — while also increasing the
a remote pacemaker clinic. “Our patients used to have to travel amount of time spent with each of them? Impossible, you say?
three-plus hours each way to Boise just to get their pacemak- Then you haven’t heard of shared medical appointments that
ers checked, which takes all of 10 minutes,” says Doug Romer, group several patients with the same medical condition.
R.N., Grande Ronde’s Executive Director of Patient Care Services. In addition to the doctor, each shared appointment includes a
“Needless to say, we have lots of happy patients now.” nurse to take vital signs, a trained facilitator to guide discussions, a
And new technologies are being developed to expand what doc- medical documenter who completes the doctor’s notes in real time
18 H EART I N S I G HT • N OVE M B E R 2010
4. S CAN N I N G TH E H O R I Z O N
and a care coordinator outside the room who provides an after- Patient satisfaction with shared appointments at Harvard Van-
visit summary with follow-up instructions. guard has been very high, with more than 80 percent of first-time
“As a doctor, it’s wonderful to walk into that room knowing that shared appointment patients returning for a second group visit.
all the administrative tasks have been taken care of and all you One such satisfied patient is James Chamberlain of Drakut,
have to do is focus on the patients,” says Neuwirth, whose medical MA, who attends quarterly shared appointments to help manage
group, Harvard Vanguard, is known as a national leader in shared his diabetes. He also continues to have a private physical with his
visits. “Doctors love to talk, to teach, to listen — this allows the doc- doctor each year. “I really enjoy the group appointments and I learn
tor to do all the things he or she does best.” so many things I never thought of before,” he says. “You see how
Neuwirth estimates that shared appointments can save a prac- your numbers compare with others in the room and that really
titioner an hour or more each day because instead of repeating the makes you think about your health and how you can improve it.”
same instructions on how to take blood pressure or when to check
blood sugar to patients one by one, the doctor can educate several E-CONSULTS CONNECT DOCTORS AND PATIENTS
patients at the same time. Patients can also learn from each other, Another way to streamline communications between doctors and
he adds. “Say you’ve got angina, but the person next to you has patients is E-mail, but while patients love it, doctors have been less
had it much longer. He or she can really offer you some wisdom, than enthusiastic.
[and] tell you things you never even thought to ask.” (Just so you Take Judy Balacz of Mount Prospect, IL, who likes E-mailing
her doctor because “I feel like I’m taking up less of her time than I
would with a phone call for something that’s not urgent. I can send
an E-mail at my convenience and she can answer at hers.”
Cheryl Alkon of Natick, MA, also likes E-mailing her doctors,
but her obstetrician told her she prefers phone calls because “she
can’t always respond to an E-mail quickly and is afraid she will miss
something important.” Other doctors are also concerned about
protecting patient privacy, being swamped by patient E-mails or
insurance companies in some states not reimbursing them for E-
consults (CA is a notable exception; insurers are not allowed to
deny claims for E-consults if an in-office visit would have been
covered).
Michael Crocetti, M.D., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Chil-
dren’s Center in Baltimore, exchanges E-mails with his patients’
parents only at their request. When the number of parents E-mail-
ing him reached about 25 percent of his practice, he surveyed
them and found they “very much want to use E-mail to communi-
cate with their providers, think it would strengthen the relationship
and see it as a necessary next step in healthcare because it’s so
convenient for them.”
Crocetti says that while hospitals may set policies on E-mail
communication between doctors and patients, practitioners often
make their own personal decision whether to do so. “We have to
figure out how to embrace this because it’s what patients want,” he
says. “But we also have to figure out a way to get the [compensa-
tion] issue addressed in the health care reform law.”
Despite the promise and potential of healthcare reform, confu-
sion will undoubtedly reign for years to come as healthcare in-
novations are developed and adopted by doctors, patients – and
perhaps most important, insurers. “Right now, it’s largely regulatory
and financial barriers that keep us from making all kinds of in-
novations throughout the healthcare system,” says Schwamm. “If
know: all patients must sign a confidentiality agreement before doctors would be allowed to figure out the best way to take care
being allowed to participate in a shared appointment.) of patients while using resources efficiently, we would rise to that
Harvard Vanguard currently has 30 clinicians offering more challenge in a heartbeat.”
than 50 shared appointments in a dozen specialties. “I have a So the spirit of Marcus Welby is alive and well, but the TV heal-
waiting list of 20 doctors in the practice who want to do shared er’s real-life counterparts have to navigate a convoluted and com-
appointments and I get a couple calls every week from outside plex healthcare system while also trying out new technologies that
physician groups and medical centers that are interested in what will eventually allow them to spend more time practicing medicine
we do,” Neuwirth says. and less time on paperwork. HI
H EART I N S I G HT • N OVE M B E R 2010 19