440 likes | 914 Views
The Archway . . . to Telemedicine. What is Telemedicine?. . . . the use of electronic information and communications technologies to provide and support health care when distance separates the participants . Institute of Medicine, 1996. Telemedicine . Background Applications
E N D
What is Telemedicine? . . . the use of electronic information and communications technologies to provide and support health care when distance separates the participants. Institute of Medicine, 1996
Telemedicine • Background • Applications • Benefits and Challenges • Research • Conclusions • Recommendations
Background The evidence suggest that the concept dates to 1924.
Quadrants Defined • ST/SP • Same Time/Same Place • DT/SP • Different Time/Same Place • ST/DP • Same Time/Different Place • DT/DP • Different Time/Different Place
Who… … is involved with telemedicine?
Telemedicine Applications • 1. Remote Consultation • 2. Remote Monitoring • 3. Remote Education • 4. Telementoring
When… …do we use telemedicine?
When do we use telemedicine? • Maldistribution of health resources urban and/or rural • Capitated populations • Access • Distance/Time/Travel • Patients and Families • Outreach Physician • Isolation of Provider • National/International
Telemedicine Benefits and Challenges “It is an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one” Rutherford Hayes, 1882 on the using telephone for the first time
Trends • Market place reform/managed care • Shifting site of care Hospital>Clinic>Home • Case Management/Team Care • Improved communications between provider and patient • Health care practices and affiliations • Digital convergence
Benefits Patient Perspective • Access: Time, Travel, Expense • Health Provider Collaboration • Enhanced Communications • TV & Computer Applications common and non- threatening • Added attention may enhance confidence that all that can be done is being done
BenefitsProvider Perspective • Communication/Collaboration with specialists • ER ‘front-line’ support • CME/Life Long Learning • Saves time, travel to outreach clinics
Challenges • Lack of reimbursement • Licensing and Credentialing issues • Liability • Privacy • Infrastructure • End-user Issues
Recommendations • Conduct a comprehensive telemedicine audit/assessment • Explore Financial Issues • Develop a short, mid and long range telemedicine plan • Build training initiatives • Systematic implementation of plan
Audit and Assessment • Medical Services Data • Descriptive elements • Current Services • Current technologies • Service Opportunities/Needs • Miscellaneous Observations/Comments
Financial Issues • Program Budgets • Finding Funds • Maximizing Investments • Measuring Intangibles
The Plan • Clarifying Goals • Prioritizing Objectives • Policies and Procedures • Operational Issues • Personnel
Video Clip #5 : A Typical Telemedicine System
Mere Vehicles Telemedicine and information technologies are merevehicles that permit the delivery of health care services but which have no greater impact on health care than the truck that delivers our groceries has on our nutrition. It is the content of the vehicle that permits effective health care, not the vehicle.