RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Lessons Learned During COVID-19 That Can Move Telehealth in Primary Care Forward
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP S196
OP S202
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2021.S1.200419
VO 34
IS Supplement
A1 Kyle Knierim
A1 Christina Palmer
A1 Erik Seth Kramer
A1 Rachel S. Rodriguez
A1 Jill VanWyk
A1 Alison Shmerling
A1 Peter Smith
A1 Heather Holmstrom
A1 Brian S. Bacak
A1 Shandra M. Brown Levey
A1 Elizabeth W. Staton
A1 Jodi Summers Holtrop
YR 2021
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/34/Supplement/S196.abstract
AB Introduction: Our university hospital-based primary care practices transitioned a budding interest in telehealth to a largely telehealth-based approach in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.Initial work: Implementation of telehealth began in 2017. Health system barriers, provider and patient reluctance, and inadequate reimbursement prevented widespread adoption at the time. COVID-19 served as the catalyst to accelerate telehealth efforts.Implementation: COVID-19 resulted in the need for patient care with “social distancing.” In addition, due to the pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other insurers began expanded reimbursement for telehealth. More than 2000 providers received virtual health training in less than 2 weeks. In March 2020, we provided 2376 virtual visits, and in April 5293, which was more than 75 times the number provided in February; 73% of all visits in April were virtual (up from 0.5% in October 2019). As COVID-19 cases receded in May, June, and July, patient demand for virtual visits decreased, but 28% of visits in July were still virtual.Lessons learned: Several key lessons are important for future efforts regarding clinical implementation: (1) prepare for innovation, (2) cultivate an innovation mindset, (3) standardize (but not too much), (4) technological innovation is necessary but not sufficient, and (5) communicate widely and often.