• What are the Pros and Cons to telehealth?
• How will you approach and perform a telehealth assessment?
• What are the limits to telehealth?
• What is the difference between the provider’s need for a successful telehealth visit versus the Patient’s perspective?

 

SOLUTION

Pros and Cons of Telehealth

Pros:

1. Increased Access to Care

   • Especially beneficial for rural, homebound, or underserved populations.

2. Convenience and Flexibility

   • Patients can attend appointments from home, reducing travel time and missed work.

3. Reduced Healthcare Costs

   • Minimizes ER visits, travel costs, and no-shows.

4. Continuity of Care

   • Encourages follow-up care and chronic disease monitoring.

5. Infection Control

   • Limits exposure during pandemics or outbreaks.

Cons:

1. Technology Barriers

   • Lack of reliable internet, devices, or digital literacy.

2. Limited Physical Exam Capability

   • Cannot perform hands-on assessments (e.g., palpation, auscultation).

3. Privacy Concerns

   • Risk of HIPAA violations if sessions are not secure.

4. Reimbursement and Licensing Issues

   • Inconsistent insurance coverage and cross-state practice barriers.

5. Reduced Rapport Building

   • May feel impersonal, impacting trust or disclosure.

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How to Approach and Perform a Telehealth Assessment

Preparation

• Ensure a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform (e.g., Zoom for Healthcare, Doxy.me).

• Review patient chart in advance.

• Have a backup plan for tech failure (e.g., phone number).

• Confirm patient identity and location for legal/safety purposes.

Environment & Setup

• Quiet, private, well-lit space.

• Dress professionally and maintain eye contact with the camera.

• Ask patient to position their device to show relevant body areas if needed.

Subjective Assessment

• Use the same structure as in-person (e.g., OLDCARTS for symptom history).

• Encourage detailed descriptions and ask follow-up questions.

Objective Assessment (Adapted)

• Visual inspection (e.g., rashes, gait, swelling).

• Ask the patient to perform maneuvers (e.g., range of motion).

• Use connected devices if available (e.g., home BP cuff, glucose monitor).

• Note non-verbal cues (e.g., breathing effort, facial expressions).

Documentation

• Clearly document it was a telehealth visit and include any limitations.

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Limits of Telehealth

• Lack of Physical Exam Tools
  Can’t perform auscultation, percussion, palpation.

• Urgent or Emergent Conditions
  Telehealth is inappropriate for chest pain, acute trauma, or suicidal ideation without rapid follow-up.

• Technical Failures
  Connection issues can disrupt care.

• Populations at Risk
  Elderly or low-income individuals may lack tech access.

• Regulatory Restrictions
  Some states or insurance plans limit telehealth reimbursement.

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Provider vs. Patient Perspectives in Telehealth

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