Telehealth Nursing In the past fifteen years, means of communication has changed drastically with advances in technology. No longer does a person need to be in the same room with another, or even on the telephone to exchange information; it can be done through emails, texting, and video conference. In general we can let our “fingers do the talking” (Kroenke, 2014). Every industry has been affected and changed by this new age; healthcare and nursing included. Distance healthcare has been on an upward trend, enabling increased contact between clients and the medical system (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Telehealth nursing is not a new method of healthcare; however, advances in technology have vastly expanded the boundaries
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516). There may be great discomfort with the use of technology, or even fear among the older population, who is unfamiliar with it. This could prevent them from using it at all, forcing them into traditional care, and move them to dependency sooner than necessary. A second disadvantage for the client is privacy and confidentiality issues which may also cause ethical dilemmas for the nurse. Other members in the household may communicate on behalf of the client. The identity of the person on the phone could indeed be another person, posing as the client with their name and social security number to garner information from the healthcare provider. The nurse must proceed with caution, and give limited information about previous calls and illnesses (Holmstrom & Hoglund, 2007), which could be a barrier to a patient, who may simply be forgetful, and need to review past conversations. Lastly, a very serious disadvantage to the patient is the inability of the nurse to objectively assess the client in person. The nurse must rely on the patient to report wholly accurate information. With the physicality of reading body language, reaction, and subtle nuances left out of the equation, the nurse has to judge client credibility to accurately prioritize and advise them (Holmstrom & Hoglund, 2007). However, even with these barriers, there is tremendous benefit to the patient to partake in …show more content…
579) to occur on the clients schedule. In addition, it reserves the need of an office visit for more serious conditions, and serves as a “stepped care approach for clients” (Kroenke, 2014, p. 579). Teleheath fosters aging in place, which “is the ability to live in one’s own home safely and independently regardless of age, income, or ability” (Rantz, Skubic, Miller, Alexander, Keller, & Popescu, 2013, p. 386). It is a tool that improves overall quality of life for
516). There may be great discomfort with the use of technology, or even fear among the older population, who is unfamiliar with it. This could prevent them from using it at all, forcing them into traditional care, and move them to dependency sooner than necessary. A second disadvantage for the client is privacy and confidentiality issues which may also cause ethical dilemmas for the nurse. Other members in the household may communicate on behalf of the client. The identity of the person on the phone could indeed be another person, posing as the client with their name and social security number to garner information from the healthcare provider. The nurse must proceed with caution, and give limited information about previous calls and illnesses (Holmstrom & Hoglund, 2007), which could be a barrier to a patient, who may simply be forgetful, and need to review past conversations. Lastly, a very serious disadvantage to the patient is the inability of the nurse to objectively assess the client in person. The nurse must rely on the patient to report wholly accurate information. With the physicality of reading body language, reaction, and subtle nuances left out of the equation, the nurse has to judge client credibility to accurately prioritize and advise them (Holmstrom & Hoglund, 2007). However, even with these barriers, there is tremendous benefit to the patient to partake in …show more content…
579) to occur on the clients schedule. In addition, it reserves the need of an office visit for more serious conditions, and serves as a “stepped care approach for clients” (Kroenke, 2014, p. 579). Teleheath fosters aging in place, which “is the ability to live in one’s own home safely and independently regardless of age, income, or ability” (Rantz, Skubic, Miller, Alexander, Keller, & Popescu, 2013, p. 386). It is a tool that improves overall quality of life for