Providers may already be reluctant to adopt change, which adds to resistance for engaging in telemedicine practice. Despite remarkable advances in technology, provider adoption of telemedicine lags much further behind consumer desire, with training cited as a primary barrier. Forcing providers to jump through one more hoop may be a deterrent to adoption. Training itself also requires specific resources in the form of time, personnel, financial commitment and auditing, which may further deter organizations from developing formalized programs.
Provider acceptance of telehealth hinges on ease of use and perceived usefulness, and training has a large influence on perceived ease of use. For one, providers familiar with technology are more inclined to use telemedicine. Health care providers tend to be reluctant to accept change, but the formal opportunity to have questions answered and to practice telemedicine in a training environment may be a valuable means to overcome this. In addition, formal telemedicine training can be linked to assignment of hospital telemedicine privileges, and this may be instrumental in delegated (or proxy) credentialing agreements with partner hospitals.
INFOGRAPHIC: Discover if telehealth offerings are meeting patient expectations.
Nuisance or Not, Training Is Necessary
We propose the following training strategies to encourage provider acceptance:
- Leverage adult learning theory. This is grounded in experiential learning, which is more effective for knowledge retention in adults.
- Automate whenever possible. Asynchronous methods of conveying knowledge, such as online learning modules and multiple-choice questions, can be effective at teaching the medicolegal, billing or documentation specifics of telemedicine.
- Allow room for in-person interactions. Role play, discussion and simulation work well. Identify the stakeholders and the specific environments to allow for open-ended questions and relevant, realistic training.
- Balance the opportunities for training. Some providers will need more hands-on experience to get familiar with technology and workflow, while others will do well with just-in-time training before an encounter.
Whichever modality you select, the goal is to convey a level of authenticity, professionalism, empathy and presence. Training and practice will make the technology invisible, so the medical virtualist can connect to the patient directly, leading to a safe and high-quality experience that leaves everyone feeling good.
