In this episode of HOPA Now, President David DeRemer hosts a panel discussion regarding the increased need for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel consists of three well-informed doctors that are representing both the East and West coasts. Eve Segal, PharmD, BCOP is the Lead Clinical Oncology Pharmacist at the University of Washington Medical Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, WA. Maurice Alexander, Pharm.D., BCOP, CPP is a Clinical Manager Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Services at UNC Chapel Hill, and John Valgus, Pharm.D. MHA, BCOP, CPP is the Assistant Director of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill. They discuss the need that COVID-19 has created to rethink traditional patient care, address various implementation strategies for telehealth, and offer a look at the potential future of telehealth.
In this episode you will learn:
What did telehealth look like before COVID-19?
● Telemedicine has always been part of a traditional practice, but concerns about patient relationships and access to technology limited full adaptation of telehealth.
● Prior to COVID-19, UNC only conducted 25 telehealth visits per month.
● Telehealth visits were limited by a narrow set of eligibility requirements.
Implementation strategies for telehealth
● The adaptation of telehealth is now essential in order to deliver care as safely as possible.
● Telehealth care at UWA is currently limited to those who have been credentialed, and they are working to expand telehealth credentials to all oncologists.
● At UNC, AmWell has helped meet the increasing need to expand telehealth services.
● Telemedicine platforms have improved exponentially because physicians, pharmacists, and hospital administrators are now all on board.
Rethinking traditional patient care
● Telehealth tends to improve care as patients feel more comfortable asking questions in a personal environment.
● More dedicated patient education sessions allow for increased preparation for treatment.
● Telemedicine offers increased convenience for patients but also requires improved coordination of care and lab testing.
● Staffing models have remained largely unchanged through the transition to telehealth.
● COVID-19 has forced us to break down the barriers that have limited the use of telehealth in the past.
Platforms that support telehealth
● Health and human services technology rules have changed to allow doctors to use any platform including Skype for Business, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or Zoom.
● Zoom offers a HIPPA-based platform that includes a virtual waiting room.
● American Well offers a telehealth solution that can be embedded into your patients’ health records.
● Doximity allows doctors to connect with patients with minimal steps.
● Security and user-friendliness need to be the two biggest priorities for selecting successful platforms.
Looking to the future of healthcare
● The slow reopening of states will allow hospitals to offer elective outpatient procedures.
● Pharmacies have the opportunity to embrace telemedicine and to offer best practices for their patients.
● The increased convenience and safety measures offered by telehealth benefit patients in a way that can and should be sustained beyond COVID-19.
Mentioned in This Episode:
HOPA
AmWell
Zoom Healthcare Plan
Doximity
Quotes:
“In the past month, the culture around telemedicine has completely changed. It went from a nice option to something that is absolutely necessary.” — John Valgus
“Our leadership has recognized that we need to adapt in order to deliver care as safely as possible.” — Eve Segal
“Telemedicine gives us the opportunity to safely manage patients with an even higher level of quality than in the past.” — John Valgus
“Telehealth is an excellent, convenient service that should sustain itself beyond the time of COVID-19” — Maurice Alexander
