Leveraging Telehealth for Better Care Coordination
Virtual care is the next step in building more holistic care plans
Telehealth and telemedicine have revolutionized the way patients and their care teams interact. Patients who have complex care needs or are at high risk of complications require more support and assistance. In a, healthcare can leverage telehealth to enhance care coordination with those patients, resulting in improved patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.
Digital health tools like Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Remote Patient Monitoring Devices (RPMs), have already been shown to empower self-monitoring and self-management habits among patients. This augmented health literacy and patient care coordinator reach encourages greater adherence, prevents unnecessary healthcare spend and improves patient quality of life.
Overcoming geographical barriers
One of the primary challenges in healthcare is the coordination of care across various providers and settings. Telehealth acts as a bridge, breaking down geographical barriers and connecting patients and care teams seamlessly. With telehealth, patients can engage in virtual consultations, securely share medical records and communicate with their care teams from the comfort of their homes. This accessibility fosters improved communication, eliminates unnecessary delays and enables care providers to collaborate effectively.
Specialists can remotely consult with primary care physicians, allowing for timely diagnosis and treatment decisions. Care teams are able to access patients' electronic health records (EHRs) in real-time, facilitating coordinated care plans and reducing duplication of tests or procedures. This seamless collaboration ensures that all providers involved in a patient's care are on the same page, promoting continuity and reducing medical errors.
Improved communication channels
Patients are able to easily communicate with their care teams through secure messaging channels such as video conferencing and messaging platforms. Having direct and instant communication reduces the need for multiple appointments, enhances information exchange and empowers patients to actively participate in their care decisions. This increased engagement leads to a more holistic and patient-centered approach to healthcare.
Additionally, video conferencing capabilities allow for virtual consultations, enabling specialists to collaborate with primary care physicians in real-time. This facilitates multidisciplinary discussions, leading to comprehensive and coordinated care plans. Patients can also participate in virtual group sessions, such as support groups or educational programs, promoting engagement and shared decision-making.
Reduced admissions and emergency department (ED) visits
By increasing communication between patients and their care teams, offering health education and shrinking communication barriers, GoMo Health saw reduced readmissions and ED visits
Their care coordination solution, known as Concierge Care, is a digital therapeutic tool that centers around patient engagement, precision health and population health. Through evidence-based behavioral science, it integrates psychosocial support into a physical remote care plan to motivate and activate people on an individualized basis.
By leveraging their partnership with the American Heart Association and its resources, GoMo Health’s Concierge Care was able to reduce readmissions from 22% to 9% in that cohort. Additionally, they were able to cut ED visits by half and increase wellness visits by 10%.
GoMo is an excellent example of when patient-centered technology partners with traditional healthcare organizations and resources, patients are able to receive more holistic care with better outcomes.
Encourages continuity of care
Telehealth plays a vital role in ensuring continuity of care, especially during transitions between different care settings or providers. Through virtual visits and remote monitoring, patients can maintain regular contact with their care teams, even when they are not physically present.
For instance, with post-hospital discharge, telehealth enables remote monitoring of vital signs, allowing healthcare providers to track patients' progress, identify potential complications early on and reduce readmissions. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of readmissions and improves patient outcomes.
Telehealth also supports care coordination for patients with chronic conditions. With remote monitoring devices, patients can measure and transmit their health data to their care teams, enabling timely interventions and preventive measures. Moreover, telehealth offers educational resources and self-management tools, empowering patients to actively manage their conditions and reduce the need for hospital visits.
Enhanced patient education and empowerment
Telehealth serves as an avenue for comprehensive patient education and empowerment. Care teams can utilize telehealth platforms to share educational materials, videos and interactive resources tailored to each patient's needs.
Patients can access information about their conditions, treatment options, medication instructions and preventive measures at their convenience. This knowledge empowers patients to actively engage in self-care and make informed decisions about their health. By providing patients with the necessary resources, telehealth fosters a sense of health ownership, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Reduced healthcare costs
The efficient coordination of care through telehealth has the potential to alleviate the financial burden on patients and the healthcare system as a whole. By minimizing unnecessary office visits, travel expenses and hospital readmissions, telehealth helps reduce overall healthcare costs.
Moreover, telehealth eliminates productivity losses associated with extended wait times at healthcare facilities, benefiting both patients and care teams. By leveraging telehealth, healthcare systems can allocate resources more effectively, enhancing cost-efficiency and ensuring better access to care for all.
Powering better patient care outcomes
Telehealth has emerged as a powerful tool in revolutionizing healthcare and promoting better care coordination among patients and their care teams. By overcoming geographical barriers, enabling real-time communication, facilitating access to patient information and empowering patients through education, telehealth has the potential to transform the healthcare landscape.
OpenLoop, a white-label telehealth support company, is in the business of building better patient outcomes. With our private-label EHR platform, our clients are able to customize to meet their patient-flow and branding standards. Our provider staffing service also gives our clients access to 30+ specialities and continuity of care at every touchpoint in the patient journey.
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Our full suite of white-labeled Telehealth Support Services include: