There’s more to telehealth appointments than a phone call. Americares Free Clinics have managed telehealth appointments since March 2020 and are now sharing their expertise and experience to help other health centers better serve patients.
In November 2021, Americares Free Clinics Executive Director Karen Gottlieb and Director of Clinical Operations Janet Yon presented to an international audience at the HealthCare Accreditation Council conference and Exhibition, based in Jordan.
“We described how telehealth is different — what clinicians and patients need to know,” says Yon. Without a hands-on exam, for example, the patient and provider can exchange other information. “Our experience here in Fairfield County is of value to health centers around the world,” says Yon. Gottlieb and Yon discussed the digital divide – that is, the absence of technology, reliable internet and digital literacy among low-income patients: Fifty percent don’t have a smartphone, and as many as 65 percent of people over 65 have no computer. The pair also covered the future of telehealth, which will have value beyond the pandemic. The recorded session happened in the morning in Jordan, which was 2 a.m. Connecticut time. Gottlieb and Yon attended virtually and answered questions live.