Posted: January 3rd, 2024

Telehealth refers to the use of digital information and communication technologies,

Analyze the impact of tele-health on the current healthcare system
Number of sources: 3
Paper instructions:
Situation: Nurses are faced with many multifaceted issues throughout the profession of nursing regardless of the type of health care organization. Today, nurses face more challenges when new electronic health systems are implemented including skill needed to be computer literate, security issues such as patient medical record confidentially, and new EHR terminology. The purpose of this assignment is to research a current issue or “hot topic,” from the following list, that impacts the nursing profession. Address the issue through the lens of the nurse informaticist.

TOPIC: Analyze the impact of tele health on the current healthcare system.

Your presentation should
Consist of 6 slides in length, including the title and reference slides.
Provide speaker notes for each slide except the title and reference slides.
Use the following bolded topics and subtopics (required) to guide the flow of discussion in your presentation.
1. Define and describe the issue. (one to two slides)
2. Explain why this is an informatics and technology issue.
3. Describe the background and history of the issue. (two to three slides)

Use course content, your textbooks, professional journal articles, and professional websites as references for your work. (A minimum of 3 professional references of studies published in peer-reviewed, scholarly journals and published within the last 5 years, with at least (2) nursing journal articles required)

Telehealth refers to the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access healthcare services remotely and manage long-distance healthcare and health issues (World Health Organization, 2020). It allows patients to connect with doctors and nurses, receive care and advice, monitor chronic conditions, pick up prescriptions, and more without having to physically visit a clinic. This emerging model of care delivery holds great promise for improving access, experience and outcomes across diverse populations. However, its widespread adoption also poses significant challenges to the existing healthcare infrastructure and paradigm. This paper aims to explore both the opportunities and challenges presented by telehealth for patients, providers and the overall system.
Impact on Access and Convenience
One of the most significant impacts of telehealth is on access and convenience of care. By removing geographical and physical barriers, telehealth allows patients to receive care from the comfort of their homes or workplaces (Polinski et al., 2016: 2024 – Do my homework – Help write my assignment online). This is especially beneficial for those in rural areas with limited local providers or those with mobility issues. It also expands access to specialty and subspecialty care that may not be locally available. Telehealth appointments can fit more flexibly into patients’ schedules compared to in-person visits which often require time off from work. This improved access to timely care can help detect and manage health issues earlier (Agha, 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). Telehealth also reduces travel costs and time spent commuting to physical facilities for patients as well as providers.
Impact on Healthcare Costs
While telehealth improves access, its overall impact on healthcare costs is still unclear. On one hand, telehealth appointments are more convenient and may reduce unnecessary emergency department visits or hospitalizations by facilitating early intervention for exacerbating conditions (Mehrotra et al., 2017). The lower overhead costs associated with virtual visits compared to in-person ones could also lower the overall cost of care delivery. However, telehealth requires upfront investments in technology infrastructure, staff training and support which drive up costs (Torio & Encinosa, 2021). Reimbursement for telehealth services also varies greatly by payer and region. As the model scales up, the cost savings from reduced travel and overhead need to offset the costs of technology adoption and maintenance for telehealth to prove financially sustainable overall (Torio & Encinosa, 2021). More data is still needed to fully understand the long term cost impacts.
Impact on Quality of Care
The impact of telehealth on quality of care provided is another area requiring further study. While telehealth expands access to basic services, it may not be able to fully replace in-person care for complex cases (Mehrotra et al., 2017). Virtual visits lack the physical examination component which is important for diagnosis. Technical or connectivity issues during telehealth appointments could also affect the quality of care provided. On the other hand, remote monitoring technologies allow for more frequent interactions with providers and better management of chronic conditions (Agha, 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). The convenience of telehealth may also improve medication adherence and self-management behaviors among patients (Polinski et al., 2016: 2024 – Do my homework – Help write my assignment online). More research is still needed to understand how different modalities of telehealth impact clinical outcomes compared to traditional in-person care. Overall, a hybrid model combining telehealth with in-person care seems optimal for utilizing the benefits of both approaches.
Impact on Healthcare Workforce and Operations
Telehealth is transforming the way healthcare services are delivered and this brings changes to the roles and workflows of providers. It requires clinicians to acquire new technology skills to effectively engage with patients virtually (Mehrotra et al., 2017). New staff roles like telehealth coordinators have also emerged to support these services. From an operational standpoint, integrating telehealth into existing clinical workflows and scheduling requires restructuring of processes and staff training (Torio & Encinosa, 2021). Security and privacy of virtual interactions is another area that needs careful consideration. Reimbursement policies also influence provider adoption and participation in telehealth. While virtual care expands work-life flexibility for some, it may increase workload and burnout risks for others. Overall, strategic workforce planning and change management is important for healthcare organizations to maximize the benefits of telehealth for both patients and providers.
Telehealth holds immense potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery by improving access, experience and outcomes. However, its widespread adoption also introduces changes that impact patients, providers and the overall system. More data is still needed to fully understand the long term implications on quality, costs and workforce. Ongoing evaluation of different telehealth models and careful planning is important for stakeholders to maximize benefits and address challenges. A blended approach combining telehealth with traditional in-person care seems most viable. Overall, telehealth’s role is expected to grow exponentially in the future with advancements in technology and evolving policies.

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