The Healthcare The Healthcare Industry Industry

Accomplishes Accomplishes Telemedicine Telemedicine

Through Through VideoconferencingVideoconferencing

Authors: Mohammad Mahmud , Noel MaciasAuthors: Mohammad Mahmud , Noel MaciasCase Study - Group 4Case Study - Group 4

University of Maryland University CollegeUniversity of Maryland University CollegeITEC 610ITEC 610

Information Technology FoundationsInformation Technology FoundationsStella PortoStella Porto

December 5th, 2011December 5th, 2011

AgendaAgenda Description of case study Description of case study Background informationBackground information Benefits of Using Video ConferencingBenefits of Using Video Conferencing Sample Diagram for Telemedicine SolutionsSample Diagram for Telemedicine Solutions Examples of Video conferencing SolutionsExamples of Video conferencing Solutions Other advantages of TelemedicineOther advantages of Telemedicine StatisticsStatistics ChallengesChallenges ImplementationImplementation Group AnalysisGroup Analysis Response to questions from case studyResponse to questions from case study ConclusionConclusion ReferencesReferences Q&AQ&A

Description of the Case Description of the Case StudyStudy

The case study discusses how technology is changing the The case study discusses how technology is changing the way that medical treatment is provided within the way that medical treatment is provided within the healthcare industry. Many medical facilities in the United healthcare industry. Many medical facilities in the United States lack the expertise and equipment necessary to States lack the expertise and equipment necessary to provide the most favorable and timely care of patients provide the most favorable and timely care of patients ranging from admissions and treatment to diagnosis and ranging from admissions and treatment to diagnosis and discharge. Telemedicine through videoconferencing is a discharge. Telemedicine through videoconferencing is a newer technological advancement that is being newer technological advancement that is being implemented in an effort to solve this issue.implemented in an effort to solve this issue.

Background InformationBackground Information

Front Office

Triage Admission

Treatment

Discharge

Medication

Tests

Diagnosis

Treatment

Patient

Happy Patient

Patient FlowPatient Flow

VideoconferencinVideoconferencingg

According to Merriam-Webster (2011), Videoconferencing is defined as the holding of a conference among people at remote locations by means of transmitted audio and video signals.

Evolution from dedicated systems to desktop computers has grown. Basic equipment needed are audio and video input and output, connection to the internet, software to monitor and control the meeting.

Control Panel

Desktop

Video-phone

LaptopGateway

Endpoint

Multi-unit

System

Network/Internet

TelemedicineTelemedicine

The merging of patient care in the health care industry with videoconferencing technologies gives way to this new trend called Telemedicine.

Benefits of Using Telemedicine in Benefits of Using Telemedicine in the Healthcare Industry the Healthcare Industry

1. Patients transfer- Easier and faster admissions, care and location transfers.

2. Enhance access to doctors – Allows access to specialists in different locations.

3. Remote treatment – Patients can be monitored via a central location while at the hospital or even at home.

4. Saves resources- Hospitals are able to use the same facilities to treat more patients using the existing infrastructures and resources.

5. Training – Using telemedicine, hospitals can train more nurses and staff remotely.

6. Saves time- Telemedicine allows doctors to join meetings remotely, saving travel time and improving patient care. 

Sample Diagram for Telemedicine SolutionsSample Diagram for Telemedicine Solutions

Figure 1: Process Diagram (Telemedicine Exchange, 2009)

• Hospitals can start recording from any video conferencing device and broadcast the conference online, such as live streaming

• It is a great device for organizations with many branch offices in distant locations. It helps conduct meetings with customers, investors, employees and managers globally.

• It works as an efficient advertising and trading instrument, which saves time and resources.

• Medical colleges, universities and students are able to conduct and collaborate on online classes with doctors in the field.

Examples of Telemedicine Examples of Telemedicine SolutionsSolutions

Figure 2: Video Conferencing (Jackson, 2011).

Other advantages of TelemedicineOther advantages of Telemedicine

Improving communications – Sign language, foreign languageHealth care treatment becomes more affordable and inclusive

Travel distances and costs for patients are reduced or avoided altogether

The virtual doctor can evaluate patients on site.

Mobility – Technology allows for easier portability of diagnostic tools.Collaboration – Treatment and diagnosis shared worldwide

• According to Medical Device Daily (2011), a new research study reveals that 7% of U.S. physicians use online video conferencing to communicate with patients (p. 3)

• Specialist can only treat 70 to 90 patients per year• With the use of videoconferencing technology, 500

videoconferences and 5000 case presentations and management conferences

StatisticsStatistics

???

There are many challenges that still remain• Convincing government programs like Medicare to

reimburse doctors for telemedicine treatments• Participation of Medical Insurance companies in

Telemedicine• Getting patients comfortable with seeing their doctors on a

video screen.

One of the biggest challenges telemedicine has is not technology, it is implementing these changes against existing logistical, political, cultural, and financial barriers.

ChallengesChallenges

The below steps are necessary for an effective implementation of telemedicine

• Clear vision of objectives• Financial plan• Effective work environment• Using telemedicine as part of the standard care process• Provide effective training• Full time coordinator and effective leadership• Project planning and expectations• A balanced approach to implementation• Good marketing• Publish results and status of program

ImplementationImplementation

The information contained in this case study regarding the use of telemedicine in the health care industry is a relatively new process. The use of video and audio transmission is a recent addition to help support the use of existing technology when treating patients, providing diagnosis, supporting medical staff and widening the use of remote health care treatment. This emerging technology is helping hospitals and doctors to better care for a patient by reducing travel time and costs while at the same time making information available to help improve knowledge, videoconferencing is helping make this happen in real time.

ConclusionConclusion

Group AnalysisGroup Analysis• What did the group learn?

The group learned that Telemedicine is an important addition within the healthcare industry and its implementation can save lives and promote speedy treatment and recovery to patients. It also allows doctors on site and remotely to join forces in collaboration for diagnosis, create treatment plans and functions as a teaching method for medical students.

• Is this still a problem?Telemedicine does not solve all of the issues involved with caring for patients in their entirety; however it is a major leap in the right direction.

• Are there other examples in IT that could be used in this case study?The information resulting from Telemedicine use can be used as a training and collaborative tool to be shared worldwide, resulting in more current diagnosis and treatment of patients regardless of their location.

Case Study Questions Case Study Questions Question 1: From the perspective of a patient, how would you feel about being

diagnosed by a doctor who could be hundreds of miles away from you? What kind of expectations or concerns would you have about that kind of experience?

ANSWER:

From the perspective of a patient, I would be worried that the doctor may overlook critical details due the lack of a physical evaluation. I would have to make sure that he has received all of the necessary medical history available to treat me appropriately. I would also like to see that there is plenty of medical equipment available to help him with reading vital statistics and measurements to help him get a physical evaluation as the first step of my diagnosis. Lastly I expect a doctor to be experienced in the use of technology as well as qualified to provide medical care.

Case Study Questions Case Study Questions Question 2:

What other professions, aside from health care and education , could benefit from application of some of the technologies discussed in the case? How would they derive business value from these projects?

ANSWER:

With the increased internet access in the worldwide population, videoconferencing technologies can be implemented in customer service, legal services and any industry that requires a face to face initial interview or contact. This would reduce friction and allow a more personal connection on both sides of the screen, therefore creating a bond that would result in more customer satisfaction and retention.

Case Study Questions Case Study Questions

Question 3The deployment of IT in the health professions is still very much in its infancy. What other uses of technology could potentially improve the quality of healthcare?

Answer:We may consider leveraging voice over IP based video conferencing as a low cost replacement to regular phone lines in the healthcare industry. Automatic Voice recognition systems can easily transform verbal communication into data. This can lower costs, improve portability and provide a secondary choice in training and record keeping.Implementing collaborative software tools to make it easier for different diagnostic equipment to communicate with each other and share patient information seamlessly.

Doctors use video chat to communicate with patients. (2011). Medical Device Daily, 15(95), 3.

Grady, J. L. (2011). The Virtual Clinical Practicum: An Innovative Telehealth Model for Clinical Nursing Education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(3), 189-194. doi:10.5480/1536-5026- 32.3.189

Williams, J. W., Ellis, A., Middleton, A., & Kobak, K. A. (2007). Primary care patients in psychiatric clinical trials: a pilot study using videoconferencing. Annals of General Psychiatry, 624-29. doi:10.1186/1744-859X-6-24

Telemedicine Exchange. (2009). Process Diagram [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.telemedicineexchange.com/images/diagram.jpg Figure 1

Jackson, B. (2011). Video Conferencing. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/Portals/80068/images/video-conferencing-healthcare.jpg Figure 2

Polycom.(2010). Polycom RSS 2000 [Image] . Retrieved from http://www.ivci.com/images/polycom-rss-2000-streaming-server-diagram.jpg Figure 3

ReferencesReferences

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