A recent study by the Mayo Clinic highlights the potential of telehealth as a transformative tool in healthcare, demonstrating its capacity to enhance patient well-being significantly.
According to the research, the patients receiving remote monitoring support post-discharge showed improvements and needed less follow-up care than those without such support.
The study further reveals that patients engaging in online therapy reported better overall health within their communities than those who did not utilise these services.
Its findings underscore telehealth’s ability to address social determinants of health and pave the way for future research aimed at improving patient-centred care.
According to the researchers, the strategic and thoughtful deployment of telehealth services maximises their benefits in patient care.
The study encourages continued exploration into telehealth’s role in healthcare delivery.
The study’s senior author Aaron Spaulding said: “This study explores the relationship between hospitals’ implementation of telehealth services and the impact on patients’ social needs.
“The study aims to determine the effects on four key outcomes: better patient health, reduced hospital service use, lowered healthcare costs and enhanced community health.
“There has been significant research identifying gaps in healthcare due to social determinants of health.
“The publication team has explored various avenues to understand the barriers to access and areas that inadvertently worsen outcomes related to social determinants.”
The Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Centre for the Science of Health Care Delivery, aims to create and evaluate data-driven solutions.
The collaboration aims to transform the healthcare experience for patients, staff, and communities, promoting continuous improvement and high-quality care.
Spaulding added: “Telehealth, when combined with in-person visits, has the potential to help create a more integrated approach to healthcare delivery, but says that it should be treated as a complementary tool and that any approach needs to be personalised.
“Different patients require varying levels of care, and while our systems are improving, some patients may benefit from telehealth, while others may prefer in-person care. Additionally, a combination of approaches might be beneficial for certain individuals.
“We must continue to assess the most effective ways to use telehealth to benefit patients. This evaluation should consider both hospital-specific outcomes, such as readmissions and emergency department visits, as well as patient experience and patient-reported outcomes.”
Last month, the Mayo Clinic in Florida announced a five-floor expansion of its patient tower, as part of its “Bold Forward Unbound” initiative to transform healthcare delivery.
The expansion will add 166 new patient beds in medical/surgical units, integrating advanced automation and patient care technology.
