Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association
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Major government efforts to widen the use of health information technology and speed the translation of biomedical research discoveries into clinical practice are converging with the rapid growth of the Internet to create unprecedented opportunities to use telehealth networks to broaden access to high-quality healthcare and expand the scope and reach of clinical and translational research. Recognizing the dual potential of telehealth networks to improve health outcomes and reduce barriers to participation in research, particularly in medically underserved communities, the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), convened a national conference at the NIH on June 25-26, 2009, titled "Future of Telehealth: Essential Tools and Technologies for Clinical Research and Care," in collaboration with experts from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Internet2, and the NIH National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities. The conference brought together over 400 subject matter experts from government, academia, and industry to discuss a wide range of issues in telehealth research and development. Its primary outcome is a set of short papers reporting on recommendations from thematic breakout sessions and some overarching recommendations that can, taken together, stimulate and help guide further research through new multi-agency, interdisciplinary collaborations.
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Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension are common causes of hospitalization in the elderly. Short-term postdischarge clinical outcomes regarding compliance, symptom control, readmission, functional status, and mortality rates are in need of improvement. This observational study documents the results of a home-based case-managed telemedicine (CMTM) program delivered over a 2-month period postdischarge. ⋯ A majority of patients showed improved quality of health perception, better disease understanding, and high satisfaction rates with telemedicine. This is one of the larger observational studies in a predominantly elderly patient population enrolled in a CMTM program, to date. This model of care was well accepted by the elderly and produced excellent short-term clinical outcomes.