Challanges for Telehealth in Aged Care
Borne out of necessity and heralded as a democratisation of healthcare, telehealth has become an essential consultation, diagnosis and treatment channel for many Australians. Unfortunately, though, it’s not all good news. Advancements in healthcare that rely on the technological familiarity of individuals can inadvertently lock out some of those who may benefit the most.
Digital knowledge and ability gaps are common in older people with higher prevalence amongst women. A range of diverse factors can also influence the uptake of telehealth as a service such as mobility issues (e.g. arthritis), poor vision or hearing, cognitive decline (e.g. dementia), fear of ‘clicking the wrong button’ and even difficulty comprehending the concept of telehealth2. We must not forget that in-person appointments also offer things that telehealth does not – social connection, an outing, and routine.
In the future those in care are expected to become more technologically proficient and comfortable, and some of these barriers will diminish. For now, aged care providers can address the technological divide and build some comfort by offering residents pre-appointment technology training or assistance.
The Need for Telehealth in Aged Care
While there are challenges, the benefits of telehealth delivery are undeniable. Telehealth addresses geographical obstacles, provides access to a wider selection of health professionals and specialists, can address specific communication needs (language, accessibility requirements) and requires less coordination with other services (transport to and from, support personnel etc).
The benefits of telehealth for the aged care industry include simplified logistics, improved management of chronic conditions and reduced hospital admissions3.
Successful integration of telehealth within the aged care sector can be streamlined with Salesforce. Combine health records and data, communication channels, appointment scheduling and management, telehealth usage and analytics capabilities all in one place.
How Salesforce Supports Telehealth Integration for Australian Aged Care Providers
Centralised Health Information Management: Salesforce Health Cloud consolidates health data, providing a unified view of resident health records, telehealth interactions, and care plans. This centralisation ensures that caregivers have immediate access to critical information, facilitating informed decision-making and continuity of care.
Seamless Communication and Collaboration: Salesforce enables real-time communication between care teams and external healthcare providers through secure messaging and collaboration tools. This seamless interaction is essential for coordinating telehealth services, ensuring that all parties are informed and aligned.
Appointment Scheduling and Management: Salesforce automates the scheduling and management of telehealth appointments, reducing administrative burdens and minimising scheduling conflicts. Automated reminders and notifications help ensure that residents and their families are informed and prepared for virtual consultations.
Telehealth Analytics and Reporting: With Salesforce’s analytics capabilities, aged care providers can track telehealth utilisation, assess care outcomes, and identify areas for improvement. These insights are crucial for optimising telehealth services and demonstrating their impact on resident care.
Enhanced Resident Engagement: Salesforce supports personalised communication strategies that engage residents and their families in telehealth initiatives. By providing education and resources on telehealth, providers can enhance resident acceptance and satisfaction with virtual care options.
Strategic Integration of Telehealth With Salesforce
Telehealth is a permanent feature of the Medicare system and usage is only expected to increase over time. Aged care providers who integrate telehealth into their digital ecosystem now will improve outcomes and quality of life for their residents. An added benefit? The ability to capture insights from the beginning and turn your data into valuable strategic decisions in the future.
Are you wanting to build trust and transparency for communication within your organisation for the benefit of your residents and families? Book a time with our Aged Care team to have a chat here!