Telehealth has evolved from a temporary fix to a core service, and patients expect a flawless experience. Yet, many practices are still relying on inadequate setups, leading to choppy audio, security risks, and lost revenue. Regulators are also scrutinizing telehealth operations more closely than ever before.
Before your next virtual appointment, evaluate your practice with these seven critical checkpoints. They'll help administrators identify and address weaknesses, protecting your reputation, revenue, and regulatory standing.
- Optimize Picture and Sound Quality
Poor video and audio quality erode patient confidence. Ensure your exam room lighting is bright and even, position cameras at eye level, and hard-wire laptops to broadband whenever possible.
- Strengthen Security and Staff Training
HIPAA compliance is paramount, starting with staff behavior. Regular security awareness training and clear incident-reporting protocols are your primary defenses against phishing and ransomware attacks.
- Stress-Test Regulatory and Insurance Coverage
Understand the risks associated with cross-state licensing, telehealth-specific malpractice riders, and data-breach exclusions.
- Ensure Seamless EHR Integration
A standalone video platform that can't integrate with your practice management system will lead to redundant data entry. Consider an integrated workflow that sends reminders, conducts the visit and bills from one place.
- Embrace Telehealth 2.0 Beyond Basic Video
Modern telehealth extends beyond simple video calls. Remote patient monitoring, app-based symptom checkers, and automated text follow-ups are becoming standard. Practices that integrate these tools gain a continuous view of patients’ conditions.
- Actively Solicit Patient Feedback
Patient satisfaction with telehealth can vary significantly. Use post-visit surveys and sentiment analysis tools to pinpoint friction points and address them.
- Centralize Quality, Access, and Financial Metrics
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like no-show rates, visit completion times, downstream in-person referrals, and revenue per virtual visit on the same dashboard you use for in-person care. Integrated dashboards enable administrators to quickly respond when metrics drift. Combine this KPI tracking with staff training tips from cybersecurity and workflow sources to foster continuous improvement.
By proactively addressing these checkpoints, your practice can ensure your telehealth services are not just functional, but exceptional. What's the biggest challenge you face in optimizing your telehealth setup?
Source: Physician’s Practice | June 26, 2025