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Benefits to Clinics
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Revenue - Retain patients who would otherwise be referred to physicians in other communities
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Access - Provides specialist consultation and surgical follow-up for existing patients
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Quality - Patients are more apt to seek appropriate and timely care with the need for travel eliminated; better compliance
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Documentation - Integrated EMR; real-time electronic/visual records can improve the defense of the physician’s actions
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Other potential benefits include forming hospital affiliations which could be strategic; distance learning and communication.
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Community-based health care "systems", or Community Care Networks (CCNs) in rural areas consists of local hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). An effective CCN requires an adequate numbers of physicians of all types; unfortunately, while there is a shortage of all types of physicians, the shortage is particularly acute when it comes to physician specialists practicing in rural areas. Geographic maldistribution of physicians has shown little evidence of abating. With work-force experts anticipating a national physician shortage, shortfalls in underserved areas are likely to worsen. Compounding the problem many rural patients are low-income, medically uninsured and suffer from a disproportionately high rate of chronic diseases, they are also geographically isolated and often lack adequate transportation. For those who have the means, visiting a hospital or specialist would require long commutes and most patients are unable or unwilling to do so.
DTN's telehealth solution provides clinics and other rural health care centers instant access to physician specialists hundreds or thousands of miles away, without any travel involved. Our established physician specialist network includes specialists recommended by primary care doctors to replicate existing referring patterns (Tier 1) and specialists from academic medical centers and medical groups (Tier 2).
A Telehealth End Point (TEP), or mobile "exam room", that includes a moveable color video camera used in conjunction with selected digital medical equipment peripherals,
is set up at each site with a direct link to specialty physicians. It enables physicians located in larger urban areas to diagnose many types of medical conditions without the need to transport the patient. It also allows local caregivers to give urgent care quickly.
DTN also reduces the educational isolation of rural health care professionals, providing increased opportunity for continuing education. This enhances the existing quality improvement structure for rural health systems and professionals.
As a low cost solution DTN allows clinics and other rural health centers to reap the benefits of telehealth without any financial barrier to entry. If you would like to explore this opportunity in more detail please call us at 949-553-0887 or even Request a Telehealth Assessment.
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