Grome Luke, Jalalabadi Faryan, Fordis C Michael, Sussman Norman Leslie, Reece Edward M
Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Continuing Medical Education Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Semin Plast Surg. 2018 Nov;32(4):162-165. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1672133. Epub 2018 Oct 22.
Telehealth is a proven modality to better patient care, reduce health care cost, and increase provider efficiency. This article outlines the necessary steps for starting a telehealth program at a medical center or practice. A review of the current literature and health care-related laws was undertaken to identify the necessary steps and considerations for starting a telehealth program. Bootstrapping a telehealth program starts with the creation of concept and identification of need. Generation of a hotbed of support, from providers and patients, is key in gaining executive interest and idea investment. Development of a defined plan of implementation with the utilization of already available technologic assets facilitates ease of execution. Creation of a televisit platform, a patient portal for enrollment, and dedicated provider time for televisits to occur are the next steps in plan realization. Measuring results of patient satisfaction, number of visits, cost reduction, and scheduled procedures are powerful tools in support of the multifaceted expansion of a telehealth program. The authors believe that telehealth programs are critical to advancing patient care, reduction of costs, and increased productivity in the future of medicine.
远程医疗是一种经证实的改善患者护理、降低医疗成本并提高医疗服务提供者效率的方式。本文概述了在医疗中心或医疗机构启动远程医疗项目所需的步骤。通过对当前文献和医疗保健相关法律进行综述，以确定启动远程医疗项目所需的步骤和注意事项。启动远程医疗项目首先要创建概念并确定需求。在提供者和患者中营造支持的氛围，是获得管理层关注和想法投资的关键。利用现有的技术资产制定明确的实施计划，有助于轻松执行。创建远程就诊平台、患者注册门户以及安排专门的提供者进行远程就诊时间，是计划实现的下一步。衡量患者满意度、就诊次数、成本降低以及预定程序的结果，是支持远程医疗项目多方面扩展的有力工具。作者认为，远程医疗项目对于推动患者护理、降低成本以及提高未来医学的生产力至关重要。
