NR 361 Week 5 Discussion

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-361: RN Information Systems in Healthcare

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 5: Trends in Informatics

Discussion on Telehealth in Healthcare

Telehealth, a growing trend in healthcare, significantly impacts nursing practice, especially in rural and underserved areas. According to Hebda and Czar (2012), telehealth involves using telecommunication technologies and electronic information to exchange healthcare information and provide services such as long-distance clinical care. Bartz (2014) highlights that individuals with chronic diseases or acute illnesses, particularly those in remote areas, can benefit immensely from home care, monitoring, and self-management education provided through telehealth technologies.

In rural areas like mine, where hospitals are sparse, telehealth has been a transformative tool. With only one hospital every 40–50 miles and limited access to specialists, telehealth bridges the gap by connecting patients and providers virtually. For instance, at our small local hospital, we utilize a telehealth device, informally called “Elvis,” to communicate with specialists at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). This device enables neurologists and other specialists to conduct visual and verbal assessments remotely, significantly enhancing patient care in our community.

Legal, Privacy, and Ethical Considerations

The adoption of telehealth introduces various legal, privacy, and ethical challenges. Legally, compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is paramount to ensure patient data confidentiality. Privacy concerns include safeguarding electronic health records and ensuring secure communication channels. Ethically, equitable access to telehealth services must be considered, particularly for populations with limited technological literacy or access to devices and the internet. Nurses must navigate these challenges by advocating for secure, inclusive, and ethical telehealth practices to support patient care effectively.

Impact on Nursing Practice

Telehealth has revolutionized nursing, particularly in rural settings. Nurses can now provide continuous care and monitoring, reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. This technology empowers nurses to manage patient care efficiently while fostering patient autonomy through education and self-management. Additionally, telehealth improves interdisciplinary collaboration by enabling real-time communication with specialists, enhancing overall patient outcomes.

Heading	Key Details
Definition of Telehealth	Telehealth uses telecommunications technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely, allowing real-time interaction between patients and providers (Hebda & Czar, 2012).
Challenges and Solutions	Legal compliance, privacy concerns, and ethical issues are key challenges. Nurses must ensure secure, equitable, and inclusive telehealth practices.
Practical Applications	Telehealth enhances nursing care in rural areas by enabling remote consultations, reducing patient travel, and improving access to specialized care.

References

Bartz, C. C. (2014). Leadership strategies for improved nursing synergy between informatics and telehealth. Studies In Health Technology And Informatics, 201, 227–232.