2 minute read
Telehealth instructor weighs in on the continued benefits and opportunities of telemedicine
By Nora Zelluk
Gemma Lowery
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UD Advanced Telehealth Coordinator Certificate instructor
In Delaware and around the world, telehealth technologies took center stage as healthcare organizations and providers sought to stay ahead of the coronavirus crisis while providing continued care for their patients and the larger community.
While many providers and patients already knew the value of telehealth when it came to providing flexible care options, the pandemic significantly raised the profile of existing initiatives while accelerating the adoption of new telehealth services and programs.
“The COVID pandemic has shined a bright light on the value of telehealth as a significant part of our medical treatment toolkit,” said Gemma Lowery, virtual health program manager for the ChristianaCare Center for Virtual Health and faculty program director for UD’s Advanced Telehealth Coordinator Online Certificate program.
Lowery, who also serves in steering committee and advisory board roles for the Delaware Telehealth Coalition (DTC) and the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC), is an advocate for the use of telehealth to address a wide variety of healthcare access issues and anticipates continued growth.
“Healthcare providers and practices absolutely rose to the challenge by providing care during a time of crisis,” said Lowery, adding, “Patients who were not previously acquainted with telehealth now appreciate and expect this flexible option. Providers have also seen the value of this outreach tool to connect with hard-to-access community members.”
Now in its sixth year, UD’s telehealth certificate program enrollment increased significantly during the pandemic as providers sought to accelerate their learning in the field. Lowery sees the upcoming post-pandemic environment as a time of opportunity for the field to regroup and strengthen telehealth initiatives, noting that UD’s telehealth certificate program is positioned to help provide the structure and knowledge base to aid in that process.
“Healthcare professionals who helped their organizations ramp up telehealth services over the last 18-plus months may benefit from formalizing the experience and expertise they gained by adding the certificate program credential to their resumes,” added Lowery.
And for healthcare and technology professionals with no prior telehealth experience, Lowery believes the field will continue to grow as healthcare organizations seek qualified telehealth professionals to help expand their virtual options.
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https://www.pcs.udel.edu/telehealth/
