Telehealth Is Revolutionizing Care Delivery: Can It Change the Value Definition?

Delivering value in health care tops the priority list for leaders across the industry. Defining value can be much more subjective. But whatever your definition, Dr. Reed Tuckson says that telehealth will be a key component. Tuckson is managing director of Tuckson Health Connections and president of the American Telemedicine Association, and his prognosis for telehealth’s future is nothing short of exuberant. He describes “breathtaking” innovations in technology and the telecommunication networks that support telehealth. He feels that telehealth is positioned to play a significant role in supporting physicians and practices as the health care system relies more on value-based reimbursement. The traditional patient-physician relationship will be changed forever, Tuckson says: altered, enhanced and challenged. Could that
apply to the definition of value, as well?