Dermatologist Kvedar at Mass General Brigham actively incorporates telehealth into his weekly schedule, allocating specific time slots to treat patients virtually. This approach allows him to efficiently conduct up to ten follow-up consultations within a span of two and a half hours.
Streamlined Clinical Workflows Foster Efficient Telehealth Services
Telehealth’s success in Kvedar’s practice stems from the seamless integration of electronic health records (EHR) via Epic, which synchronizes patient records and video consultations, enhancing productivity and punctuality. Kvedar emphasizes that dedicating blocks of time exclusively for telehealth prevents the stress associated with switching between virtual and in-person visits, suggesting a focused approach benefits the provider’s workflow.
While the well-structured telehealth setup proves beneficial, standalone telehealth solutions pose challenges due to their separate workflows and potential integration issues with existing EHR and revenue management systems. Community health centers, in particular, may struggle with technology adoption, though advancements such as cloud migration supported by grant funding can alleviate disparities.
Navigating Policies and Reimbursement Hurdles in Telehealth
Policy and operational difficulties also impact telehealth’s effectiveness. Kvedar discusses the limitations imposed by state licensure requirements, which hamper the ability to treat out-of-state patients virtually. Furthermore, the inconsistency in private insurers reimbursing telehealth at rates comparable to in-person visits threatens the financial viability of virtual care, as evidenced by a McKinsey survey indicating physicians’ hesitancy to offer telehealth if lower reimbursement rates apply.
Epic Research’s findings reveal a higher frequency of follow-up appointments with telehealth compared to in-person visits, raising concerns about increased healthcare utilization. Kvedar suggests that educating both patients and staff on the appropriateness of telehealth for specific cases, such as prescription refills, could help in optimizing its use.
Home Diagnostic Tools: The Next Leap in Remote Healthcare
Kvedar foresees a significant role for FDA-approved home diagnostic devices in bolstering clinical decision-making during virtual visits. Tools like the TytoCare Home Smart Clinic enable comprehensive remote examinations, expanding telehealth’s reach to acute and chronic care scenarios. The development of digital biomarker applications could similarly revolutionize remote health assessments, underscoring the need for professional execution of telehealth to maintain a quality patient experience.
Adoption of telehealth requires a delicate balance between technological capability, policy alignment, and patient satisfaction. As healthcare continues to integrate telemedicine into its core offerings, professionals like Kvedar advocate for a thoughtful, efficient approach that equates virtual visits with their in-person counterparts, ensuring a high standard of care.
