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VA RESEARCH: TELEHEALTH INTERVENTION BENEFITS
PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS -- "With video and
telephone technology, nurses have the ability to
interact
regularly with patients and provide a sense of
security."
For more about telehealth, use the VA Watchdog
search engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/sessearch.php?q=telehealth+telemedicine&op=or
Story here...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106778.php
Story below:
-------------------------
Telehealth Intervention Benefits Patients With
Chronic Illness
Telehealth, using telecommunication technology to deliver health care, is
increasingly being used to improve the delivery and availability of health
care services to patients. A University of Missouri researcher found that
patients who received a telehealth intervention from care providers had
significantly delayed hospital readmission rates when compared to patients
who received traditional care.
"Telehealth interventions have the potential to allow for earlier
detection of key clinical symptoms, triggering early intervention from
providers and reducing the need for patient hospitalization," said Bonnie
Wakefield, professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. "Reducing the
length and frequency of hospital stays can lower healthcare costs for
patients and hospitals, which helps patients manage their diseases and
ultimately feel better."
To understand how the use of technology affects
patient-provider interactions, Wakefield evaluated the effectiveness of a
telehealth home-based intervention in patients with heart failure.
Patients were selected randomly to receive follow-up by telephone or
videophone after hospitalization for heart failure. According to
Wakefield, previous research on traditional clinic visits found that
quality patient-provider relationships can improve patient satisfaction,
adherence to treatment, clinical outcomes and understanding of
information.
 "Telehealth
does not necessarily change the care providers give. Rather, it changes
the communication channel between clinicians and patients to minimize
geographic barriers and enhance delivery of service," Wakefield said.
"According to patients, it is not important how the interaction happens,
but just that it happens. People who suffer from chronic illnesses usually
wait three to six months between office appointments with their care
providers. With video and telephone technology, nurses have the ability to
interact regularly with patients and provide a sense of security. Patients
discuss concerns on a frequent basis, and nurses give advice and detect
problems that the patient might not notice."
Wakefield said it is critical to match technologies to patient needs and
further evaluation is needed to determine which patients may benefit most
from specific telehealth applications and which technologies are most cost
effective.
"Although older patients may not be accustomed to using technology, it
doesn't mean they aren't willing to learn," Wakefield said. "Older
patients feel they are contributing to society and education by testing
innovative technology. They appreciate when health care professionals take
time to invest in their well-being"
The study, "Home Telehealth for Heart Failure," will be published in the
Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health. It was funded by the Department of
Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service.
Wakefield's work experience includes 22 years at the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center in Iowa City, Iowa. Her most recent position at the VA in
Iowa City was Associate Chief, Nursing Research.
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
-------------------------
posted by Larry
Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
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