4 Tips to Build a Successful Telemedicine Program
There’s a lot more to a telemedicine program than providing a video connection between a doctor and patient. Here are four recommendations from experts:
1. Ensure a Solid Telemedicine Foundation
Before rolling out telemedicine technology, organizations should complete site surveys and viability assessments to ensure their networks are optimized for telemedicine, says Erica St. Angel, chief technology innovation officer for Access Physicians.
2. Set Out with a Purpose
Providers should identify specific goals, like reducing pulmonary critical-care transfers, says Access Physicians’ managing partner and co-founder Dr. Eduardo Vadia.
3. Develop Relationships with Healthcare Providers
Telemedicine providers should visit the hospital to build rapport with the onsite staff, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital President and CEO Paul Harvey says.
4. Keep Telehealth Solutions Simple
Limit the overall number of platforms in your solution, says Deanna Larson, CEO of Avera eCARE. Not all telemedicine tools integrate with one another. The more you use, the more complex it is for the IT team to manage.
Check out this article from our Fall 2017 issue of HealthTech to learn more about how organizations are building successful telehealth programs.
