The COVID-19 pandemic sparked widespread innovation on the part of physicians and patients in the use of telehealth,” said Francis X. Campion, MD, FACP, principal lead, Digital Health at MITRE.
The independent academic healthcare publisher, Partners in Digital Health (PDH), has published findings from the three-part research project from the COVID-19 Telehealth Impact Study conducted by the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition in the open access journal Telehealth and Medicine Today (TMT).
The study identifies characteristics of the explosive implementation and scale of telehealth use in the first year of COVID-19 pandemic – forever changing traditional healthcare practices and patient access in the United States. The research draws on analysis of over two billion healthcare claims records provided by Change Healthcare (with plans to unite with OPTUM) as well as nationwide surveys of providers and patients using telehealth during the pandemic.
Research study authors are affiliated with the following organizations:
- Always Health Partners
- Atrius Health
- Change Healthcare
- Digital Medical Society
- Harvard Medical School
- Massachusetts Health Quality Partners
- Mayo Clinic
- MITRE
“The COVID-19 pandemic sparked widespread innovation on the part of physicians and patients in the use of telehealth,” said Francis X. Campion, MD, FACP, principal lead, Digital Health at MITRE. “Based on our claims analysis and surveys we expect that telehealth will be integrated into the care of people with acute and chronic conditions and has the potential to greatly improve the care of underserved and vulnerable populations.”
“The experience with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has opened everyone’s eyes as the potential to deliver health care in much more safe and convenient ways,” said Steve Ommen, M.D., medical director of Experience Products for Mayo Clinic’s Center for Digital Health. “I think that years from now, we will point to 2020 as the year that the potential of digital care delivery became a reality, as long as the regulatory and reimbursement environment is conducive to its growth.”
To read the study visit Telehealth and Medicine Today open access journal here or visit DOI: https://doi.org/10.30953/tmt.v6.280
About
Telehealth and Medicine Today (TMT) is a gold open access international peer reviewed journal examining the value of telehealth and clinical automation, its use and scalable developments, business process guidance, market research and the economic impact of digital health innovations in an evolving health technology sector. Authors are encouraged to submit outcomes data for cost efficiencies realized in health system(s), patient populations or clinical practices that demonstrate affordable, accessible, quality care in a value based system. A world-class review board includes constructive commentary through rapid and rigorous peer review to strengthen work. Published quarterly, TMT registers original research article provenance on the blockchain to bring trust, transparency, and truth to its audience.
COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition
The COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition is a private-sector-led response to the COVID-19 pandemic that brings together healthcare organizations, technology firms, nonprofits, academia, and startups. It coordinates membersÂ’ collective expertise, capabilities, data, and insights to preserve the healthcare delivery system and help protect U.S. populations. Learn more at https://C19HCC.org.
CONTACTS
Tory Cenaj, Publisher, Telehealth and Medicine Today
t.cenaj@partnersindigitalhealth.com
Duska Anastasijevic, Public Affairs, Mayo Clinic
anastasijevic.duska@mayo.edu
Mike Murphy, Strategic Communications, MITRE for the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition
mdmurphy@mitre.org