MaineHealth's Virtual Strategy Focuses on Identifying and Filling Care Gaps
Healthcare IT News
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
MaineHealth's virtual care team highlights the importance of a strategic approach to telemedicine, focusing on identifying patient care gaps that can be addressed through telehealth solutions. Leaders Elizabeth Mulcahy, DNP, and Dr. Tracy Jalbuena have identified key lessons, including the necessity of aligning telehealth initiatives with broader organizational goals and engaging multiple teams in the development process. This model has proven effective, as evidenced by their virtual walk-in service, which has assisted over 12,000 patients since March 2023 and alleviated pressure on primary care by freeing up more than 5,000 encounters. Such approaches emphasize the growing role of telehealth in enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to consider these strategies in future telemedicine implementations.
