Extending healthcare with video conferencing - TeleMedicine
Posted on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 @ 11:53 AM
As seen on, BestinUC.com
The power of video technology extends well beyond its ability to connect the on-location worker with colleagues in the boardroom, or to help nail down sales leads with face-to-face meetings without the need to board an airplane, or to allow manufacturers to provide valuable training to sales people and dealers.
Video technology can change lives – literally.
According to the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, only 10% of physicians practice in rural America despite the fact that 25% of the American population lives in these areas. Individuals who live in rural communities are missing out on the opportunity to receive medical care from the country’s top-notch physicians.
Even more staggering, the same study points out that 87% of the country's shortage of mental health professionals are in non-metropolitan counties – home to more than 30 million people.
Now enter telehealth.
Today’s videoconferencing technology allows patients to have consultations with specialists and physicians without the need to travel. Not only can the technology help ensure that even patients in rural areas are receiving the best care possible, but the technology can help both patients and healthcare providers control costs.
Currently, there are more than 200 networked telemedicine programs in the country involving more than 3,200 hospitals and medical facilities.
A whitepaper by Verizon Business points out the factors that are critical in the success of telehealth initiatives, including ease of use and sustainability.
In order to gain widespread adoption of telehealth technologies, the focus must be on ease of use. Patients and medical professionals must be able to utilize the technologies, without being a particularly “tech savvy” individual. Medical professionals have little time and little patience to deal with technical glitches that would prohibit them from being able to provide care via telehealth. Keeping the technology simple and easy to use is key.
While government funding can help a hospital or healthcare professional launch a telehealth program, long-term sustainability is crucial. Healthcare providers must expand the number of services they offer over the telemedicine infrastructure to keep the long-term costs from outweighing savings and revenue potential.
For healthcare providers considering a telehealth initiative, there are a few keys to success, as outlined in the Verizon whitepaper.
- Start small and build on success. Careful planning can lead to early success, realistic expansion plans and true ROI. According to the California Telemedicine and eHealth Center best practices, the typical telehealth initiative starts with a single clinical area, and expands over time.
- Work with a trusted technology partner. Selecting a technology partner who not only understands the technical issues involved in telehealth, but also has the experience to understand underlying business issues is key. Any technology service provider can help install a videoconferencing system. Select a provider who can help optimize technology across the healthcare ecosystem and who understands how critical security and reliability are in the healthcare industry. Due to HIPPA, it is crucial that a technology partner can provide a secure network to maintain privacy of patient data.
In part two of this series, we will take a look at technology available and how tech companies like LifeSize have expanded into the telehealth realm via video teleconferencing.
For more information on the topics in this article, download the full whitepaper by Verizon Business.