Using Video Telehealth to Deliver Patient-Centered Collaborative Care: The G-IMPACT Pilot

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: This pilot project aimed to explore a new model of healthcare delivery to older adult medically complex Veterans by combining telehealth technology with an interdisciplinary medical team operating in real time. Methods: The Geriatric-Interdisciplinary Mobile Patient Access Team (G-IMPACT) was comprised of a field team including a nurse practitioner and technology assistant who visited enrolled patients in their homes using synchronous video to link to a suite of geriatric specialists in a video-enabled room at a Veterans Affairs hospital. Clinicians interacted with patients, caregivers, and each other to develop mutually agreed upon treatment plans that were then immediately implemented in the field. Results: 11 total visits were conducted with 9 Veteran patients aged 55–91 (mean = 75.3 years). Both patients and clinicians reported a high level of satisfaction across multiple metrics, including visit quality, and positive indirect indicators of effectiveness were apparent from qualitative data. Conclusions: Nurse practitioner facilitated video visits allowed geriatric patients to meet with multiple specialists simultaneously with both high patient satisfaction and increased real-time care coordination. Clinical Implications: This project identified challenges and opportunities afforded by this type of real-time telehealth care delivery and can inform the development of future interdisciplinary mobile medical teams.