Takeaways from the Virtual Care Forum at HIMSS24

HIMSS24 preconference Virtual Care Forum, hosted by MobiHealthNews Executive Editor Jessica Hagen, brought together thought leaders, innovators and clinicians to discuss the latest trends in remote care delivery. 

Highlights included Penni Kyte, digital care strategy officer at Ballad Health, discussing how the Tennessee-based organization used the example set by air traffic controllers to break down silos and close care gaps through a centralized command health center. 

Stanford Health’s Sam Shen, clinical professor and vice chair of clinical operations and quality in the department of emergency medicine, and Patrice Callagy, executive director of emergency services, shared their thoughts on emerging roles in telemedicine aimed at improving patient flow through video telemedicine. By rating patients and keeping those with acute needs on a televisit schedule, providers can focus on getting care to patients with acute needs faster while serving higher-need patients more efficiently. 

Another focus of the virtual care forum was making AI and telemedicine more trusted by users, which has become a large concern as AI and chatbots are increasingly used in the healthcare marketplace. 

Andy Chu, senior vice president for products and innovation at Providence Health, mentioned a commitment for AI to be used for administrative tasks rather than clinical ones, which he said is a top concern for patients across the country. 

Lastly, a major theme for the Virtual Care Forum was the impact telehealth applications can have on rural health, and how access can be improved with the use of televisits, telenursing and how greater broadband access can bridge gaps in health equity as it relates to rural health, with a great discussion anchored by Penni Kyte.