The Use of Interactive Videoconferencing to Provide Nutrition Counseling to A Rural Population

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: The participant will be able to describe an alternative method of nutrition counseling in a rural area. A baseline survey was conducted at Bassett Healthcare on outpatients who had follow-up appointments with subspecialty health professionals. The survey revealed that nutrition counseling has the highest no-show rate and largest percentage of patients who do not reschedule their appointments. This program's goal was to determine if appointments for nutrition counseling would increase once the barriers of distance, transportation, and time were removed through the use of telemedicine. To achieve this goal, the Clinical Nutrition Department is utilizing interactive videoconferencing equipment (Picture Tel Group System) to provide outpatient nutrition counseling. This system enables the Registered Dietitian to observe and communicate with the patient at the outreach clinic despite the miles separating them. Six Bassett Healthcare outreach clinics are currently participating in this project. Primary care providers at each clinic refer patients for telemedicine nutrition counseling. Pertinent medical history is sent to the Registered Dietitian for review prior to the patients appointment. Support staff assists in patient scheduling, data collection, and equipment function. A phone survey and patient questionnaire are being used to assess patient satisfaction and compliance. To date, many positive outcomes have resulted from this project: 1) the number of appointments have increased; 2) no-show and cancellation rates have decreased; and 3) follow-up appointments have increased. Surveys indicate a high degree of satisfaction with telemedicine nutrition counseling. In addition, patients have realized a saving in time and travel expenses. This program has identified the need for interactive video teleconferencing in a rural population and has demonstrated the benefits of providing this service.