Telehealth
Transcript: An elderly female patient has a rash on her buttocks that she needs to see a dermatologist about; she has multiple chronic health conditions and is unable to make the long trip. She is able to go to her local hospital and use telehealth to see the doctor remotely. She doesn’t know what to expect since she has only been told that she will be “seeing a skin doctor on the tv screen”. The patient arrives and is taken into a small room beside the ER waiting room. The doctor appears on the screen, she is uneasy about talking to him on a screen and is very uncomfortable when he instructs the nurse to undress her and use a small camera to get a closer look at the rash on her buttocks. The patient notices that the dermatologist is talking to some people that she is unable to see and realizes that a student and resident have been able to see/hear the appointment without her knowledge or permission. When she leaves she feels like everyone in the ER waiting room is staring at her. She was grateful to see the dermatologist without having to travel but wished she had more knowledge of the experience prior. What should the nurse have done to make this patient feel more comfortable? Thank You! Elderly female patient that has a rash that she needs to see a dermatologist about. She is unable to travel to the specialists office. Patients considering using Telehealth with doctors and specilaists. The patients need information about what is going to take place in visits so that they can decide if it is the best option for them. Also audience could include the doctors arranging the visits. They need to be sure that they educate their paitents on what to expect. Question 8 Question 4 What type of follow-up should be conducted following this appointment? Ethical Dilema continued Telehealth: Patient Do you feel that education regarding telehealth should be provided to the community in order to make individuals more aware of what to expect during a telehealth consultation? What steps should be taken by the healthcare provider to ensure patient confidentiality during telehealth exams? Another ethical dilemma is in the fact that the patient could see/hear the students and other people on the screen, therefor the screen that the physician was looking at and able to see the patient on was not in a private area. It is a breach of confidentiality to have the screen in an area that is not private. There were other people that would be able to hear their conversations and also to see her exposed body when she had to undress to be examined. And the patient had not given consent for anyone other than the physician permission to do so. With the move to telecommunications in healthcare these issues are just a few that need to be addressed before patients are going to be willing to participate. They need to be assured that their rights to privacy and informed consent will be taken into consideration and made a priority by the physician. It is our duty as healthcare providers to ensure that our patients are protected as the use of technology in the healthcare system continues. What concerns or questions do you have regarding the use of telehealth for consultations with your healthcare provider? Christian vs Secular Worldview In Romans 12:10, Paul writes, “Honor one another above yourselves” (New International Version). Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 2:17, “Honor everyone” (New International Version). Scripture commands all Christians to honor others above themselves no matter their profession, even if it is an inconvenience. This includes showing respect to patients who might have more need for modesty than others. 1 Peter 5:2 states, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve” (New International Version). The Christian healthcare professional can, in one sense, view the flock that God has given them as their patients. Is this physician treating this telehealth patient with care, honesty, and eagerness to serve? It does not appear so, and the patient does not seem to feel like she has been honestly cared for. Because of these reasons discussed, the Christian provider would most likely navigate this ethical dilemma much differently. By: Brandy Bartholomew, Andrea Bazzell, Charlene Bonner, Kristen Hunt, James Lee and MaryBeth Mungle What steps should the healthcare provider taht to assure the patient is comfortable? Question 6 Question 1 Reflective Statement Because of Union University... Where any HIPAA violations committed during this consultation? If so, what could have been done to prevent them? As Union University nurse practitioner graduates, we pray that our practice reflects Christ and influences our patient care in a way that is obviously different from providers prepared with a non-Christian education. In light of these scriptures, we hope to honor and respect our patient’s needs,