Finding Your Way in the Future of Healthcare
Strategic Planning for Telemedicine
Since COVID-19 shifted the healthcare landscape, telemedicine has been brought to the forefront, and with it many opportunities and challenges. Most importantly, the onslaught of competition for rural healthcare providers with newly sought after virtual care services.
To assist providers, Teledigm Health offered in-person Post-Pandemic Strategy Development meetings. Customized for each facility session, we synergized the room by bringing together executives, department directors, physicians, advanced practice providers, board members, and at times community members to discuss telemedicine strategy and prepare for the post-pandemic era of medicine. Open dialogue and round table discussions provided valuable insight into the future of care.
Virtual care retreating to pre-pandemic usage is no longer part of the foreseeable future. Gaining an understanding of how to harness a comprehensive virtual program strategy is critical to a hospital’s success and bottom line.
Teledgim Health provided the strategy outlay to keep primary care at the local level. At times, in order to do that, you have to take debunk the ideals that can cause obstacles and setbacks to become a new age competitor.
Debunking Telemedicine Myths
Technology continues to become more readily available and innovative, so the opportunity to expand care options and services is no longer a nicety, but a necessity. As hospitals are introduced to the idea of telemedicine, common misconceptions can arise and were evident throughout the various sessions with our providers.
1. Patients will not appreciate seeing a provider on a screen.
2. We can’t keep more acute care patients with telemedicine.
3. Nurses are not comfortable with adding telemedicine services.
4. Telemedicine will not produce a return on investment.
5. Telemedicine will replace in person care.
6. The competition looks the same pre- and post-pandemic
7. My patients will return to me for their care, so there is not a need to offer a virtual solution.
Virtual care is an affordable solution to supplementing limited resources and provides new opportunities for rural hospitals to compete. They can ultimately take care of more patients, reduce transfers, improve local provider work/life balance, enhance recruitment ability, gain new specialty offerings, and provide a return on your investment.
Competing in the New Age
Now that more patients have experience with telemedicine, demand for virtual care options has created additional competition for rural healthcare facilities and local primary care providers. The virtual adoption surge of online care during COVID-19 serves as a catalyst to ignite a new era of rural healthcare, providing satisfaction to a myriad of new and existing patients.
Embracing the shift towards telemedicine is key for getting ahead of the industry changes. With telemedicine solutions, you gain instant access to specialists and have the opportunity to provide more options to your patients locally. You’ll be able to meet the demand for virtual care and keep patients coming back to see their primary care provider.
Strategy Equals Success
As facilities across the country begin integrating telemedicine, rural hospitals may find themselves at a loss on how to handle telemedicine integration. To capitalize on the benefits of telemedicine, a strategic plan is essential.
A virtual care plan allows local primary care to effectively compete with advancing technology. By tailoring a strategy to your hospital, patient care remains at the local level. Plans can even incorporate partnerships with local industries to provide unique healthcare solutions that ultimately allow you to deliver convenient care.
Our goal at Teledigm Health is to position rural healthcare facilities and local primary providers, as the provider of choice for both in-person and virtual care. With a well-developed strategy, telemedicine can power the future of your healthcare practice.
Our team of experts are ready to assist you, so give us a call if you’d like to schedule a Strategy Session with me to uncover telemedicine opportunities ahead.
