By Sanjay Upadhyay, MD

As healthcare providers, we're constantly seeking innovative ways to improve patient outcomes and streamline our workflows. One key area of focus has been telehealth, which has become an essential tool in maintaining patients' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case study, I'll share my experiences with telehealth at Temple Physicians at Palmer Park, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and best practices for implementing remote medicine.

Dialing Up Telehealth

When the pandemic struck, our senior administrators met with us to discuss how to keep patients and staff safe. As a busy primary care practice, we had no telehealth solution in place. We began by switching patients to phone visits and later added video consultations. Our support staff was instrumental in making this transition happen, informing patients about the change and apprising physicians when to call them.

Clear Benefits

The benefits of telehealth have been numerous. Over the past six months, our no-show rate has decreased by 5% compared to the previous year. We've also seen an increase in patient discharges within seven days, with 50.2% of patients being seen remotely (compared to 25.6% previously). Video consultations have allowed me to reach patients at their convenience, whether they're in town or traveling. Additionally, Medicare annual well visits can be conducted via phone, which is a great way to encourage patients to do these visits remotely.

Making Telehealth Work

As a proponent of video visits, I believe that having the right technology in place is crucial. However, not all patients may have the necessary equipment or know-how to use it. Before my telehealth sessions, I call patients to ensure they have a cell phone with a camera and can receive text messages. If they're unable to use video, we switch to phone consultations.

Tweaking Our Approach

Over the past six months, we've refined our approach by ensuring that medical assistants ask all the right questions when verifying appointments and prescreening patients. We've also improved internal communications by learning how to use our telehealth schedule and understand notifications on it.

Next Steps

As we continue to navigate the world of telehealth, I'm excited about the potential for fitness app development to further revolutionize healthcare. With the right tools and technology, we can provide patients with more convenient and accessible care options.