SigMT

SigMT Vol13 Iss 3

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SiG MT 88 While public health workers, infectious disease experts, and other innovators around the world work tirelessly toward the common goal of a COVID-19 vaccine, the rest of us are doing our best to stay healthy. It is never a good time to ignore underlying health issues – and this is especially true during pandemics. Staying healthy includes remaining in contact with your care team so they can monitor your health and manage chronic conditions. When COVID-19 reached Montana, Benefis Health System immediately responded to the ongoing needs of our community by rolling out telehealth services; as of April 2020, more than 150 providers spanning around 30 specialties were offering telehealth visits. As a result, thousands of people in our community have been able to maintain their health by getting their care through telehealth. "e Benefis telehealth model we created is something I am incredibly proud of," said Jody Haines, MHA, FACHE, Manager of Telemedicine Services at Benefis Health System." It was the hard route to go, but it was also the best route for patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Patients have been able to see their regular providers who they have established relationships with at Benefis, instead of being routed to see different providers or out-of-network care." "is continuity of care has really allowed us to have great clinical outcomes across the board, but especially for our most immunocompromised community members," Haines said. Telehealth provides care at a distance, but Benefis has also been using it to bring people closer together during the pandemic. In the case of palliative care, where visits are tailored to the individual needs of patients with serious illness, telehealth allows family members who may have been unable to attend an office visit to participate in discussions. Amanda Lucas, DNP, APRN, expanded on telehealth's virtues within her specialty of palliative medicine. "Telehealth expands our reach to patients who may not have access to hospice or pain and symptom management specialists," Lucas said. "Although I miss giving a hug to patients in this setting or a gentle hand to console when difficult information is discussed, telehealth has been a phenomenal support to patients who may have not been able to access this service before." Given the rural nature of Montana and the oen-harsh weather conditions, many specialists and primary care providers now offer telehealth options. Dr. Timothy Roux, sleep medicine physician at Benefis Health System, paints a picture for what patients can expect in a telehealth visit. "A typical visit lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. e platform we use is secure and meets HIPAA requirements, and the patient's device needs to have a camera and microphone. ey may need to set up soware on their mobile device or computer in advance. Telehealth visits are not meant for acute problems such as abdominal pain. Visits requiring laboratory assessments and in-office testing are not ideal for telehealth," Dr. Roux said. "Feedback from patients has been positive. Patients no longer need to drive to their provider's office, find a parking spot, and spend time in a waiting room. Instead, they can have a telehealth appointment from the comfort of their home environment," Dr. Roux said. Contact your provider's office for more information about telehealth options available to you. TO YOUR HEALTH TEXT BY BENEFIS HEALTH SYSTEM Is Telehealth the Secret to Staying Healthy? Your health issues don't stop during a pandemic, and we haven't stopped caring for you. S MT

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