JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

A telehealth platform integrated with an interoperable electronic health records (EHR) system can contribute directly toward achieving the often-discussed “quadruple aim” – better health outcomes, improved patient experience, lower costs, and improved clinician experience.

Objective:

This paper develops a telehealth success model and discusses three critical components: 1) health information quality, 2) EHR system quality, and 3) telehealth service quality to ensure effective telehealth service delivery, reduce professional burnout, and enhance access to care.

Methods:

Policy analysis

Results:

Although telehealth paired with semantic/organizational interoperability facilitates value-based and team-based care, challenges remain to enhance user (both patients and clinicians) experience and satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant financial strain on hospitals, and it is uncertain if the current reimbursement and payment model for telehealth service/devices and regulation flexibility for virtual consulting will continue after the pandemic is over. Most hospitals in the U.S. have installed an EHR system, however disparities in telehealth adoption and access still exist among rural and/or small acute healthcare facilities.

Conclusions:

Further studies are needed to analyze the impacts of interoperable EHR features on telehealth service outcomes and on hospital workflow and physician practice, in order to support evidence-based health policymaking and system implementation.