Quality in Healthcare 13 - Assignment Example

TELEHEALTH Lecturer Telehealth is one of the modern strategies that are likely to play a key role in improving the healthcare system in the United States. This approach allows for the use of information and communication technologies to provide healthcare services. In an Issue Brief by Lisa Sprague (2014), the author describes the three main categories of telehealth, which include: videoconferencing, store-and-forward technology and remote monitoring. She notes that telehealth helps to eliminate geographical boundaries, improve management of chronic conditions and save transport costs.

In addition, telehealth and other technologies in the healthcare would help to enhance efficiency and productivity among health workers. For example, through telehealth and telemedicine, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Centre has been able to address the healthcare needs of the rural population (Cunningham, 2013). Although it is a gaining popularity in the United States, telehealth faces significant challenges on matters such as privacy, security, lack of trained personnel and poor reimbursement.

One of the key ingredients in enhancing the adoption of such technologies is the use of incentives. In a background paper by Adil Moiduddin and Daniel Gaylin (2007), the authors note that health centers that have adopted such technologies successfully have benefited from incentives such as technical assistance from the federal government, financing of innovation programs and providing loans to health centers among other incentives. It is also encouraging to note that a number of telehealth legislation have been passed in various states to help in the adoption of these technologies.

In addition, a number of bills have been passed and proposed at the federal level, for example, Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2013 (Sprague, 2014). In conclusion, there is need for further funding from the federal government and policy reforms to help speed up the adoption of telehealth across healthcare centers in the US. ReferencesCunningham, R (October 22, 2013). Health Workforce Needs: Projections Complicated by Practice and Technology Changes. National Health Policy Forum (Issue Brief No.851). The George Washington University, Washington DCMoiduddin, A & Gaylin, D (2007).

Health Information TechnologyAdoption Among Health Centers: A Digital Divide in the Making? National Health Policy Forum. Background Paper. The George Washington University, Washington DCSprague, L (March 10, 2014). Telehealth: Into the Mainstream? National Health Policy Forum (Issue Brief No.853). The George Washington University, Washington DC