Saturday, April 30, 2016

Important Ideas On Telemedicine Implementation

By Betty Smith


Most hospitals and healthcare systems are recognizing the importance of implementing a telemedicine program. Many physicians are supporting the project because of advantages that are associated with its implementation. Through the program, large number of patients will receive high quality care services irrespective of their geographical location. The flexibility of physicians will be boosted to a top-notch level. Telemedicine implementation can be carried out effectively when preparations are made earlier, right technology employed, workflow analyzed properly, and right people involved. The project involves web consultants, telemedicine rooms and hospitals, cloud-based physicians, as well as virtual health coaches.

One of the challenges that health facility will have to deal with during the implementation process is administrative engagement. Typically, not all members of executive team will see the value of the expensive process of implementation. As a project manager, you should strive to enlighten the members on the importance of digitizing care services. You must make them to understand that the physicians are armed with technological tools to aid them in delivery of services. Both patients and physicians understand how to use video conferencing tools, text messages, and phones. Most people are keeping in touch through a cloud-based model.

The telemedicine program will receive positive response and will be embrace by patients since most of them are communicating in a cloud-based style. You must carry out a rigorous market research and identify the potential the market has to offer. Once you have identified the community needs, you should evaluate the healthcare facility and find out if it has the right resource to offer the service that is on demand. Encourage the executive team to participate in matters that affect the community.

After gathering information from the market assessment, conducting a self-assessment is recommendable. You must evaluate the capabilities of your healthcare facilities and find out if you have the right equipment and trained personnel to offer the services that the patients require. For instance, if want to offer pediatric neurology service, you must have enough pediatric neurologist who are interested in telemedicine provision. Identifying the starting point can be a difficult task. Therefore, a committee comprised of stakeholders should be tasked with the duties of carrying out readiness assessment and determining the starting points.

Come up with goals that are clear, precise, and achievable. Involve everyone in the goal making process and ensure the goals of project align with those of hospital. Mobilize the hospital leaders to support implementation of telemedicine program. However, they must see how the program will benefit the hospital.

To avoid spending much time and accomplishing a little, every stage of implementation must be assigned enough time. You should be strict with time and be prepared to deal with challenges that may hinder implementation. Project goals and hospital size affects the procedure of implementation.

Strive to seek administrative support and make sure you are getting the necessary resources for implementing the program. Advice both the physician as well as patients to use the tools availed by modern technology. Massive administrative support will enable you to deal with strict timeline.

Telemedicine is advantageous for both patients and physicians. Patients are able to get professional help without necessarily travelling. On the other hand, physicians are able to operate on a flexible schedule. They can handle large number of patients within a short period.




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