Updated on June 18, 2024
- Administrative staff may resist further telehealth investments due to previous technology expenses. Emphasizing telehealth’s potential to increase ROI through specialized care, expanded patient access, and reduced readmission rates can help gain their support.
- New telehealth implementations can overwhelm staff and patients due to changes in workflows. Highlighting how telehealth solutions can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve care delivery is essential for smooth adoption.
- Resistance from staff and patients accustomed to traditional methods can be a significant barrier. Overcome this by fostering open communication, providing comprehensive training, and addressing technical challenges promptly with experienced IT support.
- Some patients may be hesitant about using digital health services. Educate them on the benefits of telehealth, ensure they understand insurance coverage, and how telehealth can enhance their overall health and wellness.
- Working with knowledgeable telehealth vendors and offering onsite or virtual training ensures a smooth and effective implementation process, making it easier for staff to adapt and for the system to run seamlessly.
New telehealth technology implementation can be an exciting process for facilities, physicians, and patients alike. However, adjusting current practices to conform to a new and improved technology-based solution may be overwhelming for those involved, as there will naturally be some unavoidable barriers to adoption and implementation.
Understanding the most common challenges faced during this process early on can help facilities avoid coercion and instead let telehealth do exactly what it was created for: Deliver care more conveniently and efficiently without compromising the quality that patients expect to get out of a care plan.
Here are four of the most common challenges faced while implementing new telehealth technology and how to overcome them:
Justifying the ROI
Administration may be on the fence about an additional telehealth investment because of the spike in new tech that came with COVID. These individuals are likely comfortable with current technology because they may not understand the effect it has on staff burnout or team efficiencies.
To help administrative staff better understand the value of new telehealth technology, remind them about the return on investment that comes with successful telehealth program implementation. It can help the facility build a strong team of specialized doctors, assist more patients in reaching specialists, and reduce readmission rates, which can increase ROI.
Impacted workflow
Physicians, staff members, and patients may be overwhelmed by the new telehealth implementation process because it will ultimately change the current system each department has in place. Yes, the right technology will certainly impact workflow, but by no means will it do so negatively.
David Thompson, MD, CEO and chief medical officer of Health Navigator, told Health IT Outcomes that better telehealth solutions can streamline a day in the doctor’s office to move more quickly, efficiently, and effectively.
Thompson shared, “Telehealth platforms can help your staff quickly capture each patient’s reason for the call or visit, prioritize care delivery, suggest the best treatment guidelines, and identify additional information resources.” Ultimately, expanding your telemedicine program with new technology solutions is the logical next step to providing unmatched care in an increasingly digital world.
Resistance to change
Successfully implementing new telehealth solutions in your facility requires careful planning and anticipation of potential barriers. One common hurdle is resistance to change from staff and patients accustomed to their current traditional and virtual care delivery methods. To mitigate this, it is crucial to foster an environment of open communication and provide comprehensive training that demonstrates the simplicity and benefits of the new telehealth technology.
Additionally, technical challenges, such as integrating your new software with existing systems and ensuring reliable internet connectivity, can disrupt the adoption process. Addressing these technical issues promptly with the help of experienced IT professionals is essential for a smooth transition.
Engaging with a knowledgeable telehealth vendor can provide the necessary support and resources to navigate these complexities, ensuring that your telehealth implementation is efficient and effective, leading to improved patient care and satisfaction.
Unpredictable physician or patient engagement
Most consumers are comfortable with having online interactions on a daily basis. According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Study, 80% of patients said they prefer using telehealth for prescription refills, 72% for reviewing medication options, and 71% for discussing test results as opposed to visiting a traditional medical office.
However, some patient groups are still intimidated by receiving their healthcare through digital technologies. To overcome this barrier, it’s important to educate patients about your new telemedicine services, whether they’re covered by insurance, and how telemedicine can benefit their overall health and wellness with its quality care and convenience.
By working with a trusted vendor from the start, you can rest assured that the new telehealth implementation process will run seamlessly. At AMD, we’re always available to help guide you through the new system until you feel comfortable navigating independently. As part of the implementation process and guidelines for best practices, we offer onsite or virtual training for your clinical or IT teams.
For more information on our telemedicine and telehealth implementation, contact us today.
