One of the most effective ways for healthcare providers to improve service delivery is by enhancing the level of collaboration between different stakeholders using videoconferencing, according to a recent report by independent analyst firm Ovum.
Putting dedicated telehealth and telemonitoring solutions to one side for the moment, both home grade and enterprise videoconferencing solutions can be used to improve service delivery outcomes, enhance collaboration and communication between patients and practitioners, and provide more equitable healthcare – particularly to those in rural and remote areas.
Clinicians’ and care workers who provide care for patients in their homes can use videoconferencing tools on tablet or laptop devices:
- for Occupational Therapy reviews, particularly to review and monitor client equipment usage or risks in the home
- to link with a physiotherapist to review a patients home exercise program
- to link with wound assessment or diabetes management experts
- to liaise with the palliative care team for communication and triage
- for patient social isolation prevention
Whilst there are many more usage senarios, the main point is that we have the technology available today (eg laptop/tablet & skype) to deliver improved outcomes by using this readily available technology. Unfortunately many (dare I say “most”) community healthcare providers are not using it in this manner.
So, why are some/many community healthcare organisations not using videoconferencing ?
- Culture and process change – using videoconferencing in the clients home requires change in process, documentation and culture. It needs to be driven proactively by organisational leaders, and requires consultation and buy-in from field staff (and patients).
- Perceived cost – the purchase of laptops/tablets, monthly data plans and systems (corporate systems give the best experience but come at a price). There is also the cost of change and training. A business case is essential in justifying the return on investment and benefits to patients/staff.
- Lack of connectivity in remote areas – unfortunately many rural pockets of Australia do not have broadband connectivity, and many areas struggle with cellular 3G connectivity.
To have the best chance of success, the above issues need to be addressed, or mitigated as much as possible. Also, video-conferencing solutions must be tailored to various usage scenarios, so having a clear picture of how the technology will be used is very important. Health related video conferencing initiatives must align with, and be included within an over arching e-health strategy.
With the continual improvements in fixed and mobile broadband connectivity, improvements in equipment interoperability, and relatively low cost entry, video-conferencing in healthcare has a lot of potential now and in the future.
Ben Ward 