Healthcare should be available and accessible to everyone. But that isn’t always the case.

There are many factors which limit the accessibility of healthcare, and almost everyone will be affected by at least one of those factors at some point in their lives. 

However the modern technologies and techniques at our disposal should be able to overcome almost every accessibility issue we face today - and make it possible for everyone to have their health care needs met, especially those with chronic conditions. 

Let’s look at where healthcare accessibility falls down, and how hospital in the home (HITH) solutions can solve some of healthcare’s trickiest accessibility challenges.

What is accessible healthcare?

While we may agree with the idea that healthcare should be equitable for everyone, putting the processes and safeguards in place for the accessibility of healthcare requires an active effort from policymakers, healthcare providers and technology companies.

This article gives a great summary of what ‘access’ means in the context of healthcare. 

It defines access as the ability to:

• Seek healthcare,

• Physically connect and pay for healthcare,

• And engage with healthcare.

It’s also important to note that accessibility doesn’t start and end with the patient. There’s a broader picture to consider. 

“When we think about virtual care, we often jump to the conclusion that it is just for patients,” says Jean-Frédéric Levesque, who is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in Preventive Medicine and Public Health.

“The reality is, a lot of clinicians live and work with disabilities themselves. Virtual care needs to be something that becomes a tool for clinical practice as well.”

You can watch Jean-Frédéric Levesque discussing ‘What is accessible healthcare?’ with Gillian Mason, a physiotherapist, rehabilitation researcher and science communicator with two complex chronic diseases; Jonathan Tang, an early career researcher and clinician; and Nas Campanella, the ABC’s Disability Affairs Reporter. See the video below. 

[Embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDtqQNxSes4] 

What makes healthcare inaccessible?

There are many factors which might put healthcare out of reach for Australians who need it:

• Distance to the nearest facility for those living rurally

• The physical design of hospitals, especially if patients have a condition which affects their movement

• The language used by healthcare professionals can be inconsistent or hard to understand 

• The cost of healthcare including associated costs like travel

• Tricky online booking systems and portals can be difficult to use, especially for the elderly

• COVID restrictions including border controls and the complexity of applying for exemptions 

Thankfully, technology is allowing healthcare providers to overcome all of these barriers and provide a highly personalised level of care in a way that’s accessible to the patient. 

“We need to think about virtual care as a redesign process,” says Levesque.

“It’s not just the technology, it’s about redesigning the models of care… It’s really going to be a journey where clinicians and patients need to come together, look at the available technologies and then reinvent the way we deliver healthcare.”

Technology also allows patients to confidentially and securely report their experiences, giving healthcare providers a window into the way patients really feel about the care they’re receiving. Using this feedback throughout the redesign process will ensure providers are providing continuity of care efficiently, effectively and respectfully.

The solution: bringing the hospital into the home

Digital health management platforms or hospital in the home services such as CareMonitor allow providers to deliver hospital-quality care in a way that works around the accessibility needs of the patient. This technology opens up new care possibilities while still keeping the fundamental principles of care in tact.

HITH systems integrate with a range of clinical management systems and data-collecting devices, allowing for the management of complex ongoing conditions such as asthma, diabetes or even COVID-19 from the comfort of the patient’s home. 

How CareMonitor is evolving the accessibility of healthcare

CareMonitor’s advanced features and telehealth capability make healthcare more accessible for both patient and provider - especially for chronic and ongoing conditions.

The platform includes built-in health risk assessment tools for triaging patients, automatic risk scoring algorithms and automated workflows which allow clinical teams to monitor and manage the health of patients without bringing them into the hospital.

Here’s how:

• Realtime Remote Health Monitoring gives patients and providers alike up-to-the-second information on vital health data using smart devices

• Clinical Pathways and SMART Care Plans which empower patients to manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes

• Provider collaboration and data sharing to make the experience simpler for the patient

• TeleHealth capability for quality care from any location

• Information presented in natural language and designed around the patient

Good care is accessible care. At CareMonitor we’re working to empower patients and healthcare providers at every step of the journey, and enhance the level of care that’s able to be delivered remotely. In fact, with our technology, providers can deliver care that often surpasses what’s possible in-person.

Offer a new level of accessibility of care by integrating CareMonitor into your workflows. To find out more, book a CareMonitor demo today.