Telehealth has grown swiftly over the past few years. The American Hospital Association states that 76% of US health facilities now use some sort of virtual care to connect with consulting practitioners and patients at a distance with live audio and video on top of other technology. Telehealth can help increase access to care, better patient outcomes, lower costs, and give caregivers deeper insight into their entire practice. As a facility administrator or care provider, you are considering employing a telehealth platform but are feeling somehow overwhelmed. There are thousands of telehealth platforms to select from, and some can help grow your practice, while some might end up limiting it. Read on to learn how to choose the right telehealth platform.
First of all, check integration. Telehealth should ease your life as a care provider. That implies accessing all your info with the same interface. Managing many programs, apps, and tabs simultaneously can delay daily processes. When you use several apps and programs, it becomes very easy to lose track of patient info, appointment, and other crucial care info. With the correct platform, you should be in a position to access everything utilizing the same interface, like patient info, data analytics, your schedule, electronic health records, a list of in-network providers, referral info, and live audio and video to connect with patients in real time. You will be able to address the needs of your clients on the same platform, which will enhance the efficiency and overall quality of care you give to your patients.
Secondly, consider a platform with a user-friendly design. Implementing a telehealth system needs buy-in from your patients and workmates. All parties must feel comfortable utilizing this technology; for example, your must vulnerable patients like the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, and low-income households. To ensure successful implementation, get a platform that is easy to use and intuitive. Ask your patients to try this technology to ensure they feel confident getting the required services. Your workers should also use time with this platform. There is always a learning curve when bringing a new system on board, but with a little practice, your employees should be able to finish daily processes faster than before. That includes scheduling appointments, administering care, updating patient info, monitoring the health of patients, and scheduling appointments.
It is also crucial to pay attention to configuration and customization. Every healthcare center differs from another. Thus, instead of considering a one-size-fits-all platform for your facility, look for one that can be configured for your facility. Your and your staff might have your way of completing daily tasks, and you need to be able to tailor your telehealth technology as you see suitable. Specialty care platforms should be adaptable, so specialty providers can link with their patients in a manner that makes sense for their facility. Your patients could have their matchless preferences also. Some may want to consult their care providers via live audio or video, while others may prefer phone calls or texts. Implementing a configurable platform will help you meet the needs of every person using the platform.