Telehealth Services: How Has It Changed with COVID-19? A Public Health Crisis and How It Can Be Leveraged to Support Rural Communities?
Significant changes in healthcare have ensued recently across the industry and within telehealth, specifically telehealth delivery. Coronavirus 2019 Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created significant challenges for healthcare organizations, as the pandemic has thrown into contrast the standard operations of the healthcare industry to those which occur during unforeseen circumstances. Even prior to COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth and digital health industry has been growing and developing significantly. However, this growth has been fueled and expedited in light of some of the government led changes due to COVID-19. The government has implemented new rules directed at breaking down many of the barriers to telehealth, including increasing access and allowing patients to receive necessary, but non-emergent services.
Telehealth has always been viewed as tool that can be used to help support rural and underserved communities. Not only can telehealth be leveraged to support patients in the local community, but it can be a strategic advantage to the rural hospitals and ultimately help these hospitals financially – which not only benefits the hospital and the patients, but the broader community.
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the telehealth industry (e.g., growth and regulatory changes) and discuss the impact certain telehealth programs can have on rural communities. It will highlight strategic approaches to identifying and partnering with rural hospitals from a strategic and clinical perspective to achieve the best outcomes for their patients and the local community.
Presenters:
Chris Fete, JD, MHA
Director, Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting
Ron Kubit
CEO, TeleNeph
Dr. Mandeep Sahani
Nephrologist, Desert Kidney Associates
