At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s perception of ‘normal’ underwent a rapid transformation. Suddenly, adults and students found themselves working from home, encountering shortages of essentials like toilet paper and sanitizer, and witnessing the widespread adoption of face masks in public spaces.
However, it wasn’t just children and parents adjusting to online meetings. In the healthcare industry, doctors and nurses were also adapting to treating their patients virtually. In the last week of March 2020 alone, telehealth visits saw a staggering 154% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
While many industries have returned to in-person operations, telemedicine (including telenursing) has continued to surge in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. Today, we’re exploring the ascent of telenursing and its potential future in the healthcare sector.
What Is Telemedicine, Exactly?
Before we dive into the role that nurses play in telehealth, let’s review what telemedicine is. Telemedicine, or telehealth, refers to the diagnosis and treatment of patients from a remote location. With the help of technology, medical professionals can evaluate, diagnose, and treat their patients from almost anywhere.
Typical forms of telemedicine include:
- Video calls
- Phone calls
- Secure messaging platforms
What Role Do Nurses Have in Telemedicine?
Nurses are a critical part of in-person doctor visits, and they play an equally important role in telemedicine. While their daily responsibilities may differ depending on their area of expertise, their contribution is fundamental in ensuring patients receive high-quality care remotely and often includes:
- Conducting patient assessments
Telehealth nurses gather patient information through virtual consultations and use their clinical expertise to determine appropriate next steps, whether it’s recommending further evaluations, providing advice, or suggesting other courses of action.
- Educating patients
Just as they would in an in-person setting, telehealth nurses inform patients about their conditions, medication and treatment options, and care plans. Essentially, they’re responsible for providing them with the educational tools patients need to effectively manage their health from home.
- Coordinating care
Some patients require appointments with several physicians. In these situations, nurses collaborate with healthcare providers, specialists, and pharmacists to coordinate the appropriate care for those patients. This ensures each aspect of their treatment plan is completely aligned.
- Documenting and charting
During and after virtual meetings with patients, nurses maintain accurate electronic health records (EHRs) that contain explanations of telehealth encounters, assessment results, care plans, and more.
Advantages of Telehealth Nursing
If you’re considering a career in telehealth nursing, there are several benefits to consider that might tip the scales, such as:
- Expanded career opportunities
Rather than limiting yourself to traditional in-person nursing roles, you can work in a myriad of settings, including telehealth companies, healthcare settings, or insurance providers.
- A flexible work schedule
Whether you’re interested in part-time or full-time work, you can create a work schedule tailored to your lifestyle. You may even be able to find telehealth nursing jobs you can pursue from home, allowing you to spend more time with your family, prioritize self-care, and pursue hobbies or further education.
- Reduced exposure to illnesses
If you’ve been an in-person nurse for a while, you know all too well that when flu season comes knocking, all of the vitamin C in the world won’t rescue you from seasonal viruses. As a telehealth nurse, your virtual patient care significantly reduces the amount of time you’re exposed to contagious illnesses.
What Does the Future of Telenursing Look Like?
If the results of a recent NIH study are any indication, telenursing appears to have a very bright future. According to the study, 49% of emergency care nurses reported using telehealth services in their workplace. Another study regarding patient preferences found that 61% of participants were willing to utilize telehealth visits in the future. These numbers indicate a growing acceptance of the concept and application of telehealth services, by patients and healthcare providers alike.
UTPB: Providing Nurses With a Foundation in Technology-Based Practices
If you’re an RN looking to advance your career, UTPB offers a 30-credit online RN to BSN program that allows you to complete your coursework on your schedule. The majority of the courses are asynchronous, providing you with ample flexibility to work when it’s convenient for you. The remaining two courses take place in person with a local nurse preceptor of your choice, where you’ll gain more advanced skills and knowledge that’ll help you excel in your career in a multitude of specialties.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in telenursing, our elective course Informatics and Innovation gives you the chance to explore several integral topics related to healthcare technology and telemedicine, including:
- Technology’s impact on your workflow.
- Legal and ethical considerations associated with select technology.
- The impact of technology on the changing role of the provider.
With a BSN, your career possibilities expand exponentially. Whether you’re considering a leadership role, a career in telenursing, or exploring advanced clinical practice, let UTPB help you become one step closer to achieving your dreams.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943a3.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9881547/