Introduction
Every year, new technological advancements are made worldwide. Over the past few years, digital software has been tested to make it easier and more reliable for humans to survive difficult times (Orlando et al., 2019). Furthermore, it simplified it for individuals to certainly stand out without forfeiting the norm or security of such help. Over the past 15 months, telehealth technology has improved to accommodate patients at all hours. Access to resources like transportation is restricted for patients in some remote areas (Orlando et al., 2019). It is difficult to manage disease processes because specific specialty services are frequently unavailable. Telehealth is more common in these areas. Telehealth offers options while still allowing the patient to receive the necessary care. Technology, internet access, financial accountability, and deciding when a patient should be seen in person versus telehealth are just a few areas where telehealth still has room for improvement (Orlando et al., 2019).
Relevance of a Need Assessment
Since technology has the potential to simplify and improve patient care, healthcare organizations must identify technology needs assessments. According to Adelman et al.,, healthcare technology is constantly developing and evolving. 2021). We need to keep looking into new technological solutions in order to keep improving the care we give to our patients. Telehealth can be effective, as has become clear in recent months (Adelman et al., 2021). In anticipation of additional emerging diseases similar to those we have already witnessed, the number of in-office medical treatments and consultations has decreased.
NURS FPX 6214 Assessment 1 Technology Needs Assessment
Telemedicine services must be continuously regulated in order to safeguard patient data and prevent HIPPA violations (Donelan et al., 2019). Associations should verify that their virtual consideration arrangements are totally functional and advantageous for use from now on. According to Donelan et al., it may be preferable for healthcare organizations because telehealth services are inexpensive to operate and can connect individuals who might not otherwise look for those kinds of specialized treatments if they were not available. 2019). Patients who are chronically ill can follow up at home more frequently and conveniently. Their chances of encountering an eruption of their circumstances can be decreased due to their families’ expanded contribution to their consideration and more noteworthy obligation.
According to recent research (Gajarawala et al.), patients reported experiencing less anxiety and worry about scheduling visits when given the option to use telemedicine. 2021). People can schedule appointments around their schedules and avoid taking time off work or arranging transportation to the visits because it can be completed from their phones and tablets, wherever they are at the time.
Main points of interest
NURS FPX 6214 Assessment 1 Technology Needs Assessment
Telehealth ought to be utilized all the more frequently to assist with the nursing deficiency. According to Gajarawala et al., studies, telemedicine providers can visit four times as many patients with fewer staff members, which is critical given the shortage of nurses. 2021). The nurse can still provide high-quality care to each patient they meet while accessing, gathering, monitoring, educating, and following up with them via telehealth. This has greatly benefited the nursing industry. Despite the fact that telehealth is still a relatively new concept, previous research (Gajarawala et al., 2021). Consequently, nurses are encouraged to participate in telehealth services and develop methods for them.
Another important issue is adapting to the use of telehealth. The elderly are a conservative group who despise change in general and technological advancement in particular. This segment should be persuaded of the advantages of the helpful access, the way that they won’t have to go far to see a specialist, and the way that their relatives can assume a greater part in their treatment (Donelan et al., 2019).
For this segment to understand what will happen somewhat soon, it is important that more assistance be made accessible. While receiving telehealth instruction, patients will be encouraged to involve their families so that they can provide hands-on support (Donelan et al., 2019). Telehealth services are not required of patients. If they do not feel comfortable doing so, they should continue arranging in-person visits. Priority ought to be given to the patient’s preferences; According to Donelan et al., patients shouldn’t be forced to use services they are unfamiliar with. 2019).
Safety Requirements and Regulatory Considerations
NURS FPX 6214 Assessment 1 Technology Needs Assessment
When using telehealth services, it is absolutely necessary to adhere to security standards and regulations. Arranging the production of a new telemedicine supplier requires an exhaustive assessment of and adherence to all relevant state and government rules (Vesselkov et al., 2018). Pivotal to have an observing division unobtrusively deals with the telemedicine telephone lines to protect patient well-being records from cybercriminals (Wu et al., 2022). All employees must be aware of the consequences if these guidelines are not followed, as well as the HIPPA policies and the security of medical records (Wu et al., 2022).
Protections for Patient Confidentiality and Privacy
Patients’ reluctance to switch to telehealth is primarily motivated by privacy concerns, according to researchers (Welsh, 2022). Using secure computers and systems can alleviate some of these concerns. It is essential to advise patients not to share any sensitive information when visiting websites and to use secure networks within healthcare facilities (Welsh, 2022). In order for everyone involved to see and take the necessary actions when patients have questions, patients should be instructed to always communicate confidentially with telehealth providers (Welsh, 2022). Staff members should receive annual education and competence on client confidentiality with telehealth to ensure they are up to date on the most recent regulations (Wu et al., 2022).
Potential Effects
The use of telemedicine in healthcare will have significant effects on all those who are affected. Numerous aspects of medical procedures will be affected by the introduction of telehealth (Wu et al., 2022). Some examples of these professions include doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, laboratories, diagnostic devices, instructors, technology surveillance departments, safety and control agencies, and management (Wu et al., 2022). These medical specialties will be able to experiment with various medical practices and work remotely, thanks to the influence of telehealth and telemedicine (Wu et al., 2022).
NURS FPX 6214 Assessment 1 Technology Needs Assessment
In the past, telehealth was advertised and priced similarly to in-person visits. CMS presently can’t seem to decide how it would deal with the expense and repayments with insurance agency for long haul upkeep (Community for Federal medical care and Medicaid Administrations, 2021). To control the expense for the following years, more data should be assembled. Businesses have begun to recognize the advantages of telehealth appointments over the past two and a half years (Vesselkov et al., 2018). They are aware that utilizing telemedicine services may result in cost and resource savings, as well as financial savings for the institution (Vesselkov et al., 2018). Patients have also said that they don’t feel out of place when they see a doctor on video.
Conclusion
Donelan et al.’s findings and evaluations (Donelan et al.) suggest that telehealth’s efficacy is beneficial to both patients and healthcare providers. 2019). It has been demonstrated that patients receive comprehensive and appropriate care so far. Patients have been shown to be able to use telemedicine to get high-quality medical care that isn’t available in their area. Healthcare organizations must comprehend the impact of the most recent information in order to provide their patients with the best possible treatment because technology is constantly changing (Donelan et al., 2019).
References
Adelman, D. S., Fant, C., & Summer, G. (2021). COVID-19 and telehealth: Applying telehealth and telemedicine in a pandemic. The Nurse Practitioner, 46(5), 34-43. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000737200.56057.2c
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2021). TeleHealth. Retrieved December 2022, from: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth
Donelan, K., Barreto, E. A., Sossong, S., Michael, C., Estrada, J. J., Cohen, A. B., Wozniak, J., & Schwamm, L. H. (2019). Patient and clinician experiences with telehealth for patient follow-up care. The American Journal of Managed Care, 25(1), 40-44.
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021;2020;). Telehealth benefits and barriers. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Orlando, J. F., Beard, M., & Kumar, S. (2019). A systematic review of patient and caregivers’ satisfaction with telehealth videoconferencing as a mode of service delivery in managing patients’ health. PloS One, 14(8), e0221848-e0221848. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221848
Vesselkov, A., Hämmäinen, H., & Töyli, J. (2018). Technology and value network evolution in telehealth. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 134, 207-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2018.06.011
Welsh, P. (2022). Ensuring patient confidentiality in the virtual world. BMJ (Online), 376, o471-o471. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o471
Wu, Z., Shen, S., Li, H., Zhou, H., & Lu, C. (2022;2021;). A basic framework for privacy protection in personalized information retrieval: An effective framework for user privacy protection. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, 33(6), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.4018/JOEUC.292526
