High-Intensity Telemedicine: An Innovative Health Care Delivery Model to Reduce Emergency Department Visits

Authors

  • Martin Badowski Queen's University School of Medicine

Abstract

Older adults are four times more likely to visit the emergency department (ED) than younger populations. However, EDs are not well equipped to deal with this population. A case-series study by Shah et al. looked at the use of high-intensity telemedicine for older community dwelling adults. Results indicated saved visits to the ED and saved time spent in the ED. Despite these findings, the literature in telemedicine as a health care delivery model has shown mixed results. Future research needs to identify the appropriate type of patients, health systems, and program factors that could predict telemedicine as a successful health care delivery model.

Author Biography

Martin Badowski, Queen's University School of Medicine

Medical Student

Class of 2014

Published

2014-10-21