An Infrastructure to Provide Safer, Higher-Quality, and More Equitable Telehealth

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, leading to varied practices across healthcare settings.
• These variations have significant implications for patient safety, health equity, and overall quality of care.
• Strategic planning is crucial for the sustainable integration of telehealth into the public health infrastructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an innovative telehealth model grounded in systems theory.
• To address the complexities of implementing telehealth within healthcare organizations.
• To provide a framework for safe, accessible, and high-quality telehealth delivery.

Main Methods:

• Utilized systems theory to conceptualize the telehealth model.
• Employed a Donabedian approach to evaluate and ensure quality of care.
• Developed an organizational infrastructure framework outlining key influencing factors.

Main Results:

• The proposed model identifies policy, organizational, provider, and patient factors influencing telehealth outcomes.
• It provides a structure for assessing how these determinants impact safety, equity, and quality.
• The framework guides leaders in developing, refining, and measuring telehealth program effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• A structured framework is essential for navigating the complexities of telehealth integration.
• The proposed model supports the creation of safer, more equitable, and higher-quality telehealth services.
• This approach aids healthcare organizations in adapting to the technological evolution of care delivery.