Medical technology such as telehealth is being rapidly developed and implemented as a potential complement or replacement to traditional visits to the healthcare professional. Often, patients are asked to come in for a follow-up appointment post-discharge from a hospital to ensure treatment adherence and to prevent rehospitalization. The use of telehealth for post-discharge follow-ups has advantages of improving patient outcomes and reducing waiting times, increasing access to healthcare, and contributing to significant cost savings.
Context
Post-discharge follow-up appointments have been a common practice that allows to ensure a successful recovery and prevent rehospitalization. However, it remains a burden to an overwhelmed healthcare system, as patients are forced to endure long waiting times before appointments, and healthcare professionals cannot dedicate enough time to work with the patient. The rise of digital and mobile technology has allowed for the introduction of telehealth, including for follow-up care using modalities such as smartphone applications, messaging services, and wearable devices. This has significant potential benefits to both patients and the healthcare system.
1st Pro-Point
Patient quality of care is improved via telehealth by reducing waiting times and giving medical professionals more time with the patient. A large study by Polinski et al. (2016) of 3303 patients was surveyed regarding their satisfaction with telehealth medical services. It was determined that “the program’s goals are to provide quality care and to reduce wait times for that care” (Polinski et al., 2016, para. 3). Overall, patients reported high satisfaction with the telehealth experience and quality of care was the predominant aspect of importance, which indicates that with such high satisfaction, there may be greater utilization of such services.
2nd Pro-Point
Increased utilization is an indicator of higher access to healthcare, which telehealth technology can offer. It is one of the primary arguments for telehealth, as practically all scholarly literature on the topic suggests its benefit of access. Williams, Bhatti, Alam, and Nikolian (2018) argue “the adoption of telemedicine has afforded improved access to care, ameliorated resource efficiency” (para. 2). Meanwhile, Fathi, Modin, and Scott (2017) suggest that “video conferencing and other telehealth methods promote the opportunity to ensure timely care that is efficient, safe, and patient-centered” (para. 7). In context, the possibility of a follow-up with patients in an efficient manner such as telehealth can greatly increase healthcare participation from various vulnerable populations and patients that are at risk post-discharge.
3rd Pro-Point
Finally, telehealth allows saving on healthcare costs for both patients and the facilities. Williams et al. (2018) examine various economic aspects of telehealth in their study on postoperative care. They found the technology to be cost-efficient and cost much less than traditional office visits considering “these round-trip miles and travel time saved directly translate into monetary savings for families” (para. 17). Economic savings from widespread implementation can be tremendous, allowing for all involved stakeholders to benefit while potentially beginning to drive down the general costs of healthcare.
Conclusion
It is evident that telehealth utilization in post-discharge follow-ups has significant benefits of improved patient outcomes, increased access to healthcare for vulnerable populations, and reduction of healthcare costs for individuals and the system. As technological and information systems improve, such elements can be introduced for most patient cases other than the most critical ones requiring the physical presence of a medical professional. This will both reduce the burden on the healthcare system as well as serve as a contributing solution to other issues such as rising costs.
References
Fathi, J. T., Modin, H. E., & Scott, J. D. (2017). Nurses advancing telehealth services in the era of healthcare reform. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 22(2).
Polinski, J. M., Barker, T., Gagliano, N., Sussman, A., Brennan, T. A., & Shrank, W. H. (2016). Patients’ satisfaction with and preference for telehealth visits. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 31(3), 269-275.
Williams, A. M., Bhatti, U. F., Alam, H. B., & Nikolian, V. C. (2018). The role of telemedicine in postoperative care. Mhealth, 4. 1-9.