Abstract
The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is again reminding us of the importance of using telehealth to deliver care, especially as a means of reducing the risk of cross-contamination caused by close contact. For telehealth to be effective as part of an emergency response it first needs to become a routinely used part of our health system. Hence, it is time to step back and ask why telehealth is not mainstreamed. In this article, we highlight key requirements for this to occur. Strategies to ensure that telehealth is used regularly in acute, post-acute and emergency situations, alongside conventional service delivery methods, include flexible funding arrangements, training and accrediting our health workforce. Telehealth uptake also requires a significant change management effort and the redesign of conventional models of care. Implementing telehealth proactively rather than reactively is more likely to generate greater benefits in the long-term, and help with the everyday (and emergency) challenges in healthcare.
Highlights
The number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing rapidly and, as of 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization has declared that this can be characterised as a pandemic.[1]
For telehealth to be effective during the current COVID-19 pandemic and future events, we must ensure that telehealth is appropriately integrated into our health service, and regarded a ‘business as usual’ modality
Advantages of telehealth include the ability to: rapidly deploy large numbers of providers; facilitate triage so that front-line providers are not overwhelmed with new presentations; supply clinical services when local clinics or hospitals are damaged or unable to meet demand; and decrease the risk of communicable diseases which are transmitted by person-to-person contact
Summary
The number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing rapidly and, as of 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization has declared that this can be characterised as a pandemic.[1]. Amidst the avalanche of reports concerning the spread of the virus, there is recognition (again) that telehealth ‘could’ play a critical role in the global response. Telehealth is ideal for the management of communicable diseases. For patients with COVID-19, or those concerned that they might be infected, telehealth can help with remote assessment (triage) and the provision of care. For people not infected with the COVID-19 virus, especially those at higher risk of being affected (e.g. older adults with preexisting medical conditions), telehealth can provide convenient access to routine care without the risk of exposure in a congested hospital or in medical practice waiting rooms
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