Framework for Evaluating and Developing Sustainable Telehealth Programs.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Policy
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, supported by government funding.
• Uncertainty in future reimbursement policies threatens the long-term viability of telehealth services.
• Limited research exists on building sustainable telehealth programs considering financial and equity aspects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a framework for evaluating telehealth program clinical effectiveness and economic sustainability.
• To guide data collection for assessing telehealth across different implementation stages and settings.
• To emphasize health equity considerations in telehealth program development.

Main Methods:

• Development of a data-gathering framework for telehealth program implementation.
• Evaluation criteria focusing on clinical effectiveness, economic sustainability, and health equity.
• Applicability across diverse healthcare settings and program types.

Main Results:

• The proposed framework facilitates comprehensive assessment of telehealth initiatives.
• It addresses the need for data to ensure both clinical quality and financial viability.
• The framework incorporates health equity as a crucial component for sustainable telehealth.

Conclusions:

• A structured approach is essential for evaluating and ensuring the long-term sustainability of telehealth programs.
• Beyond fee-for-service, alternative payment models and cost-effectiveness analyses are vital.
• Stakeholders, including payers and policymakers, must support sustainable telehealth models for continued innovation and equitable access.