Today's Practice: Changing the Business of Medicine TP2018Q2DigitalEditionWeb | Page 9

Framework for a Successful
Telehealth Implementation
By Ashley Amaral
Few would argue that today’s healthcare landscape is a
bit unpredictable, with ever-changing demands from
regulatory bodies placing immense pressure on provid-
er organizations. No sooner do providers adapt to
existing healthcare policies before new legislation is
passed and they are forced to pivot. Small provider
groups in particular are struggling to keep up with
demands to increase patient access to care while contin-
uously decreasing costs. In addition, with the transi-
tion of the patient to the “consumer”, patient choice is
driving patients out of their own doctor’s office and
into the waiting room of providers with shorter wait
times, increased availability and on-demand visits. As a
result, many small providers are struggling to effectively
manage their resources, meet industry guidelines, and
remain financially viable.
In an effort to keep up, many providers today are
turning to Telehealth as a way to attract and retain
patients, reduce the cost of care for routine visits,
increase patient and provider satisfaction, and increase
patient access, volume and throughput. Yet, despite the
abundance of information available to providers about
the various Telehealth technologies and implementa-
tion strategies, many providers struggle to implement a
“successful” Telehealth program, often failing to either
see a return on investment, adoption, or both.
“Even in a provider-directed model,
adoption and increased utilization will be
driven by the patients.”
TODAY’S PRA C T I C E: C HA NGI NG T HE BUS I NES S OF M ED ICINE
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