Sanford Health Prioritizes Virtual Care to Improve Access, Address Workforce Shortage
MedCity News
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
Sanford Health is investing in virtual care to address workforce shortages and access issues in rural healthcare. During the Reuters Digital Health conference, Chief Medical Officer Jeremy Cauwels discussed how this approach not only provides services but also supports training and community health initiatives. With virtual care available across 79 specialties, patients save an average of 176 miles per visit, easing travel burdens. This model is especially important for maternal care, as the decline in community hospitals with obstetric services has created care gaps. By using virtual tools for real-time patient assessments and alternating between virtual and in-person visits, Sanford aims to improve continuity of care and enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes, while reducing unnecessary emergency room visits.
