Is Telehealth Right for Your Practice and Your Patients With Asthma?

Abstract

Introduction:Telehealth services are becoming increasingly used to provide care to patients living in rural areas. Little is known about the patient satisfaction with the provision of these services.Methods:A prospective cohort pilot study was developed to evaluate the use of telehealth for the delivery of asthma education services in the rural, medically underserved community of Oakes, North Dakota. A certified asthma educator used real-time, audio-visual telehealth technology to meet with patients the local community pharmacy. Patients met with the educator monthly for the first three months of the study, and once every three months thereafter. Patient satisfaction was measured using a five item survey.Results:Eighteen patients completed the study (90 percent completion rate). Patient satisfaction scores were relatively high, typically between 4 and 5 on a 5-point scale.Conclusions:Participants in a rural, medically underserved community found the community pharmacy location and the telehealth technology a convenient means to access a specialty provider for asthma education.

Perceptions and acceptance of telemedicine among medical oncologists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

“…The questionnaire was based on articles about telemedicine [ 18 – 20 ] and the experience of the authors’ daily practice. Medical oncologists were asked to evaluate their institutions’ current telemedicine practices and then answer questions about telemedicine based on their experience and opinions (if they did not have experience).…”

Delivery of supported self‐management in remote asthma reviews: A systematic rapid realist review

“…27,28,30,34,38,39 Additionally, the opportunity to maintain contact and ongoing monitoring was one of the most commonly recognized advantages of remote consultations. 27,28,34 Patients' medication and asthma action plans could be reviewed, reinforcing earlier detection of symptoms or deterioration and timely self-management. 38,39 Video consultations: In addition to enabling feedback on monitored asthma symptoms or behaviours, video consultations had particular advantages for monitoring a patient's condition through systems, such as 'document camera' or 'picture-in-picture' functions, which facilitated patients and professionals reviewing the contents of documents (e.g., asthma action plans) together.…”

“……can provide patients with a timely and appropriate option to gain advice and support from HCPs regarding their condition. 14,17,27,29,30,33,34,39 HCPs conducting routine asthma reviews… …when delivering review via remote consultation… …can provide more convenient delivery of routine care for patients to access advice and support. 12,27,29,35 People with asthma… … when a routine review is conducted via video consultation or telephone… …may find the mode of consultation delivery more convenient and flexible to fit their everyday lives, resulting in increased and flexible access to advice and support.…”

“……is able to understand and engage in discussions regarding the best use of these tools. 27,39,40 People with asthma whose review is conducted via telephone consultation… …when provided with information on practical self-management strategies… …is able to understand and engage in discussions regarding the best practice of using these tools and then HCP or patient is able to convert the information in written format. 31,37…”

“…Professionals were able to demonstrate inhaler technique and provide education using the visual aids and tools of video consultation technologies effectively and safely. 27,39 Video consultation: When professionals are communicating and demonstrating practical strategies, such as inhaler technique via video consultation, patients were able to understand and learn from the instructions when the professional's video camera was positioned from the waist up (allowing the demonstration to be fully visualized). 27 Similarly, healthcare professionals could review patients' technique.…”