July 14, 2020
Social distancing has inspired many of us to utilize technology more extensively than ever before. So what happens when you need to consult with a healthcare provider but are unable to visit a physical clinic space? We asked Molly Case, director of virtual care at Parkland, about how the health system has used technology to increase access to care and address health disparities before, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: How did Parkland utilize telehealth technologies to care for patients before the current COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Before COVID-19, we had a number of programs already established. The Parkland Connect program, for example, focuses on acute needs in the community by allowing patients to connect with a provider from any location using any mobile device or computer. We have begun expanding the program with community access points that allow our patients to visit a site with a solid internet connection near their home or workplace to attend appointments with a care provider virtually. We know that everyone doesn’t have access to internet so these community access points will be vital in our mission to address health disparities throughout Dallas County.
Q: What have we learned about our telehealth capabilities during the current COVID-19 pandemic?
A: There have been several interesting nuances that we’ve found since the COVID-19 pandemic reached our county. We found ourselves in a situation in which physical contact had to be limited for our public safety. Our population health team was able to rapidly expand our existing phone encounters to include the pediatric service line and the outpatient specialty services. Our teams are flexible and sound in expanding to meet the needs of our patients. In addition, we learned the importance of knowing what technologies our providers might be using versus what technologies are available to us. Having the full picture is essential when trying to build a new care infrastructure.
Q: How will this knowledge be used to expand or enhance our telehealth services going forward?
A: A lesson learned regarding our community access points since the pandemic began is the importance of having our services available at essential business locations. We’re looking to set up in spaces that will be open during the pandemic to help ensure that our patients have access to the care they deserve. Initial meetings have already begun with several community partners to discuss this opportunity. We are also working to establish a long-term video solution for our providers at the community oriented primary care clinics, women’s health centers, and outpatient specialty clinics to assist in standardizing the process for the video encounters.
Q: How will telehealth change the way healthcare is delivered at Parkland and, by extension, in the United States in the future?
A: Much of the public has now had a chance to see what telehealth programs are like and what we are capable of achieving virtually. Even beyond outpatient care, there will be more opportunity for telehealth on the inpatient side particularly around rural care and group education. To that end, I foresee telehealth becoming more widely accepted to the benefit of our patients and our healthcare system. Organizations have been clamoring for a long time to get telehealth programs more reach through legislation and things of that nature. Moving forward I believe we will see an increase in awareness and support of what telehealth can be and do.
You can support virtual care programs at Parkland by making your gift at www.IStandforParkland.org/VirtualCare.