Document Type

Capstone Project

Publication Date

Spring 2022

Keywords

telehealth, covid-19, federally qualified health center, program development, direct-to-consumer healthcare, telehealth best practices, telehealth technology, mobile health clinics, stevenson center, illinois, missouri

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in telehealth, as the practice has shown to alleviate barriers and improve healthcare access. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, organizations have deployed prompt integration of telehealth services to slow the spread of the virus. This spurred widespread adoption of telehealth. In addition, the pandemic evoked stable interest in telehealth among patients, healthcare professionals, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Chestnut Health Systems, an FQHC operating in the Midwest, deployed an Illinois State University Stevenson Center Fellow to investigate how the organization may deploy larger-scale efforts and contingency plans into the care of patients during the pandemic and beyond. This preliminary study provides an overview of information in the form of a literature review that Chestnut Health Systems may consider in the lasting implementation of telehealth services. This research encompasses seven themes in the expansion and contingency of telehealth services, which the Stevenson Center Fellow identified following a workgroup meeting with Chestnut’s executive leadership team: “legislation,” “technology,” “services,” “vendors,” “best practices,” “mobile health units,” and “direct-to-consumer healthcare.” The Stevenson Center Fellow utilized several databases and resources published by major U.S. telehealth advocacy and research groups to explore the published literature. Based on input from Chestnut executive leaders and clinical directors, the Stevenson Center Fellow provides recommendations to guide the implementation of sustainable and far-reaching telehealth services during the pandemic and beyond.

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