Future of Telehealth in a Post-Pandemic Landscape

As of May 11, the COVID-19 public health emergency has officially come to an end, marking a significant step towards moving past the pandemic. This aligns with recent actions taken by the federal government to transition the pandemic into a more controlled phase and the World Health Organization’s declaration of an end to the global health emergency.

 

Moving forward, what can we expect in healthcare and health IT, and what does this mean for the future of telehealth? CIOs and other health IT leaders at hospitals and health systems should take note of new telemedicine challenges and plan accordingly. It’s time to shift focus toward the road ahead and continue to adapt and innovate in healthcare technology.

 

The end of the public health emergency will have several implications for the future of the healthcare industry. Here are some key aspects to consider:

 

Telehealth Expansion

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth services, as people sought medical care while maintaining social distancing. With the end of the public health emergency, it’s likely that telehealth will continue to expand and become a more integral part of healthcare delivery.

 

Shift in Priorities

Healthcare providers had to focus primarily on COVID-19 during the pandemic, which led to the postponement or cancellation of many elective procedures and routine care. As the emergency ends, there will be a renewed emphasis on addressing the backlog of non-COVID-19 related healthcare needs.

 

Mental Health Focus

The pandemic took a toll on mental health worldwide. Healthcare providers will need to address the long-term effects of this crisis, with an increased demand for mental health services and a greater emphasis on integrating mental health care into primary care settings.

 

Healthcare Infrastructure

The public health emergency highlighted the importance of having a robust healthcare infrastructure, including adequate staffing, equipment, and facilities. Moving forward, investments in these areas will be crucial to ensure that the healthcare industry is better prepared for future crises.

 

Preventative Care

The pandemic underscored the importance of preventative care and the need to address underlying health conditions that can exacerbate the effects of infectious diseases. The healthcare industry will likely place a greater emphasis on promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing chronic illnesses.

 

Collaboration and Data Sharing

The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines was made possible through unprecedented global collaboration and data sharing. This spirit of cooperation could continue, leading to more innovation and faster responses to future health threats.

 

Health Equity

The pandemic exposed existing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly among marginalized populations. The healthcare industry will need to address these inequities and work towards providing more equitable care to all individuals.

 

Is there a need for Telemedicine as the PHE is now rolled back?

The end of the public health emergency (PHE) will have several implications for the future of telemedicine. Here are some key aspects to consider:

 

Regulatory Changes

During the PHE, many regulations were temporarily relaxed to facilitate the rapid expansion of telehealth services. As the emergency ends, some of these regulatory flexibilities may be rolled back, potentially impacting reimbursement rates, interstate licensing, and privacy requirements. However, there is growing support for making some of these changes permanent, which could help sustain telemedicine growth.

 

Continued Adoption

The PHE demonstrated the value of telemedicine in providing accessible and convenient care, leading to increased acceptance among patients and healthcare providers. This trend is likely to continue even after the PHE ends, as people have become more accustomed to using virtual care options.

 

Integration with Traditional Care 

Telemedicine has proven to be a useful complement to in-person care during the PHE. In the future, healthcare providers may continue to integrate telehealth services into their practices, offering a mix of virtual and in-person appointments to meet diverse patient needs.

 

Technological Advancements

The widespread adoption of telemedicine during the PHE has driven innovation in the sector. As a result, we can expect continued advancements in telehealth technology, such as improved video conferencing tools, remote monitoring devices, and artificial intelligence applications.

 

Expansion of Services

Telemedicine has primarily been used for primary care and mental health services during the PHE. Moving forward, the scope of telehealth services may expand to include specialties like dermatology, radiology, and chronic disease management, further broadening its applicability.

 

Addressing Health Disparities

Telemedicine has the potential to improve access to healthcare for underserved populations, including those in rural areas and individuals with limited mobility. However, addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to telehealth services will be crucial to realizing this potential.

 

How can Telemedicine play a pivotal role in the Post-Pandemic Healthcare System?

To ensure telemedicine remains as robustly practiced as during the pandemic, the healthcare industry should focus on the following strategies:

 

Advocate for favorable regulations

Work with policymakers to maintain or adopt permanent regulations that support telemedicine, such as reimbursement parity, interstate licensing, and relaxed privacy requirements. This will help ensure telehealth services remain accessible and financially viable for providers.

 

Invest in technology

Continue investing in telehealth platforms, remote monitoring devices, and digital tools that enhance the telemedicine experience for both patients and providers. Technological advancements can improve the quality of care, increase efficiency, and drive innovation in the sector.

 

Promote integration with traditional care

Encourage healthcare providers to integrate telemedicine into their practices as part of a comprehensive care model. This includes providing training and support for providers to effectively use telehealth tools and ensuring seamless coordination between virtual and in-person care.

 

Educate patients and providers

Increase awareness among patients about the benefits and availability of telemedicine services, and encourage its use when appropriate. Similarly, educate healthcare providers about the value of telehealth and best practices for delivering virtual care.

 

Expand telehealth services

Explore opportunities to expand the scope of telehealth to include more specialties and services, such as chronic disease management, post-operative care, and preventive care. This will help make telemedicine an even more integral part of the healthcare ecosystem.

 

Address health disparities

Ensure that telemedicine is accessible to underserved populations by addressing the digital divide and other barriers to access. This may involve partnering with community organizations, providing telehealth services in multiple languages, and offering affordable or subsidized devices and internet connections.

 

Monitor outcomes and quality

Establish metrics and guidelines for measuring the effectiveness and quality of telehealth services. Regularly assess patient outcomes, satisfaction, and provider performance to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate the value of telemedicine to stakeholders.

 

Focus on cybersecurity and privacy

As telemedicine becomes more widespread, protecting patient data and maintaining privacy will be crucial. Invest in robust cybersecurity measures and educate providers and patients about the importance of data security.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic is slowly but surely coming to an end and it’s time for healthcare professionals to start looking towards the future. The future of healthcare IT and telehealth will be one that is more prepared, more technologically advanced, and more digitally connected. From vaccinations to telemedicine services, lessons learned from this pandemic will hopefully pave the way for safer and improved patient care in the years to come. 

 

Extraordinary times have taught us to think differently, remain innovative, and strengthen our resiliency so that we can overcome any challenges brought on by unforeseen forces in the future. All health IT leaders should look towards emerging trends and technologies to stay ahead – if you want advice on what this could mean for your organization or practice, contact us at [email protected] to learn more about your options.