In 2022, more than 80% of people used a form of telehealth at least once. This incredible percentage has continuously increased since the pandemic and according to Rock Heath, it isn’t slowing down. This widespread adoption in healthcare delivery has extended access and support to even the most remote areas, specifically hospitalists, who specialize in the overall care of hospitalized patients. However, despite the growing popularity of telehospitalist services, the largest hurdle to implementation is not the system, but misconceptions held by healthcare professionals and patients alike. Below are common myths about telehospitalists, debunked.
Myth 1: The Use of Telehospitalists Results in Inferior Care
Correction: Telehospitalists actually improve patient care. In most cases, fear of the unknown leads to doubt. When speaking with physicians, The National Library of Medicine found that 88% felt telehealth improved clinical outcomes. The increasing aging population, coupled with staffing gaps has mounted severe pressure on hospitals. By adding telehospitalists to the team, staff members receive a much-needed reprieve from the long hours and burnout, resulting in improved patient outcomes, fewer transfers, and much more. To learn more about how telehealth supports patient outcomes read our patient-focused case studies.
Myth 2: Telehospitalists are Less Accessible Than Traditional Hospitalists
Correction: While the nationwide average response time for a telehospitalist is 5 minutes, Eagle Telemedicine guarantees its physicians will respond in 3.5 minutes or less. Also, telehospitalists do not manage the same level of multitasking as traditional hospitalists. They are freed from overwhelming caseloads or “in the weed” tasks that in-person physicians face. This allows them to be present with the patient and care team as soon as they are wheeled in. For more on how telehealth is breaking barriers and serving the underserved, read our blog on the topic.
Myth 3: Telehospitalists do not generate enough revenue to pay for themselves.
Correction: Pre-Covid this may have been the case for many telehealth physicians but as a response to the pandemic and the dwindling number of physicians, legislation has made it possible for telehospitalists to more than contribute to a hospital’s bottom line. Today, financial support for telehealth services has more than doubled, the most significant change attributed to medicare reimbursements for services. Adding telehospitalists to the team also increases the average daily inpatient census without the cost of on-call physicians or locum tenens. Some telemedicine companies go as far as to offer surge protection for when your team is most in need.
Myth 4: Telehospitalists are only for small and/or rural hospitals, where it is a necessity.
Correction: While it is true that telehospitalists services drastically improve rural hospitals, the demand for telehospitalists extends beyond a geographical barrier. In fact, The National Institute of Health found that hospitals in rural areas were significantly less likely to adopt telehealth services over their urban counterparts.
Myth 5: Telehealth Hospitalists Lack Consistency of Care
Correction: Some individuals believe that telehealth hospitalists disrupt the continuity of care by providing temporary or fragmented services. However, recent studies have shown that telehealth hospitalist services actually enhance continuity of care. This high level of care is achieved through documentation, comprehensive handoffs, and effective communication with primary care providers, enforced by strict state guidelines. Some providers take it as far as dedicating a team of telehospitalists to each hospital, enabling consistency for patients as well as hospital staff.
Telehealth hospitalists have come leaps and bounds over the past four years. While at one time these ideas may have been a reality, today, providers like Eagle Telemedicine are proud to disprove them. With Eagle telemedicine hospitalist services, patients receive real-time diagnoses and treatment from experienced physicians who provide the exact same quality patient care that a hospitalist would provide in person. Contact us today to learn how we can best support your hospitalist needs.
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