Evidence summary: How can telehealth best support HSCP’s response to the COVID-19 patient?

This pandemic has triggered an unprecedented demand for digital health technology solutions and has revealed successful solutions such as screening and tracking; prioritizing the use and allocation of resources; designing targeted responses1; and exploring alternatives to face-to-face triage and visits3. Advantages of telehealth include the ability to: rapidly deploy large numbers of providers; facilitate triage so that front-line providers are not overwhelmed with new presentations; supply clinical services when local clinics or hospitals are damaged or unable to meet demand; and decrease the risk of communicable diseases which are transmitted by person-to-person contact4. There are also limitations to the use of telehealth. Some consultations require physical examinations that may be difficult to perform remotely and diagnostics which cannot be done remotely4. Those systems that already have structures in place for the use of telehealth are in the best position to utilise its capabilities7. Although concerns exist around privacy, safety and technical issues, studies have shown that both patients and staff are satisfied with the outcomes of using such technology, but more research is needed.