Services

DTI consultants have experience in all aspects of telehealth. Specific services include:

Planning Phase:

Feasibility Study
Needs Assessment
Business and Strategic Planning
Resource Inventory
Education and Training
Equipment Recommendations (Hardware and Software)
Telecommunications and Networking Recommendations
Change Management
Information Management
RFP Writing, Selection and Review
Policies and Procedures Development
Proposal Writing including grant proposals
Strategic Communications Planning including recommendations on how to achieve buy-in from healthcare professionals and management

Project Phase:

An organization that has never implemented telehealth will need many of the above services in order to set-up telehealth properly. Having our experts help you with the above activities will save you time and money, and significantly decrease your frustration. We help make sure that the money you spend has a return on investment and your telehealth network is used to its full potential.

Feasibility Study – A Feasibility Study will involve a consultant(s) reviewing your specific situation, interviewing key stake holders in your organization, comparing your situation to similar programs, weighing the benefits and barriers, and then determining if telehealth is feasible in your organization / region / country. If feasible, recommendations will be given on how to move forward both with short-term activities and with a longer term vision. Phases

Needs Assessment – A Needs Assessment will poll potential users in an organization / region regarding the clinical, educational and administrative needs that are most important to them. Digital Telehealth Incorporated recommends that a needs assessment be completed prior to implementing any telehealth project. Phases

Business and Strategic Planning – A business plan will be written based on consultation with key stake holders in an organization. The plan will describe the goal of the telehealth service(s) provided. Sites will be identified, high priority activities will be identified, and specific telehealth technologies and human resources will be recommended. An estimate budget will given. Benefits and Risks / Risk management for the telehealth activity will be described. Finally an implementation plan will be summarized. Phases

Resource Inventory - A Resource Inventory summarizes the infrastructure and human resources that are available for a telehealth project. For example, it will identify what telecommunications options are available. It will also identify champions – influential people who are interested in and support using ICT in health care. Phases

Education – Education includes giving talks and seminars on all aspects of telehealth. Potential topics include: an introduction to telehealth, how to set up a telehealth system, lessons learned from successful telehealth programs, legal aspects of telehealth, distance health education, policies and procedures, telepsychiatry, teleradiology, tele-ophthalmology, teledermatology, telenursing, telehome care. Presentations can be conducted in person or at a distance using videoconferencing technology. Digital Telehealth Incorporated recommends that individuals in organizations that have little experience with teleheath attend a general introduction to telehealth educational session prior to conducting a needs assessment. The rationale is that individuals who do not know what telehealth is or what it can do, cannot answer a needs assessment questionnaire effectively. Phases

Equipment Recommendations (Hardware and Software) - Digital Telehealth Incorporated’s consultants are familiar with the latest technology and more importantly with technology that works in the real world. Equipment recommendations will be made that take into account your specific needs. It is recommended that a needs assessment be conducted prior to making equipment recommendations. Phases

Telecommunications and Networking Recommendations - Digital Telehealth Incorporated’s consultants are familiar with a wide variety of telecommunications networks (e.g. Internet, ADSL, ISDN, POTS, ATM, Frame Relay, microwave). The ideal telecommunications network will be recommended based upon your needs, what is available in your area and within your budget. Phases

Change Management - is the process of controlling changes to the health care infrastructure as a result of technology integration, thereby enabling these approved changes with a minimum of disruption to the health care delivery process. We work with the Client to develop the necessary processes to accommodate internal and external change that integrating ICT will necessitate. The procedure we utilize often involves the use of questionnaires, interviewing health care professionals and management, as well as working with the Client to develop Committees to oversee this process. Phases

Project Management - is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to a broad range of activities to meet the requirements of the particular project. Project management knowledge and practices are best described in terms of their component processes. These processes can be placed into five process groups (initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing) and nine knowledge areas (project integration management, project scope management, project time management, project cost management, project quality management, project human resource management, project communications management, project risk management and project procurement management). We can provide experienced project managers to oversee any ICT project and ensure timely reporting and communication with the Client. Phases

Information Management - We work with the Client to select the appropriate systems that will provide the correct solution for the Client. This must ensure interoperability with current and future systems and address the Client’s training requirements (face-to-face, video conference or on-line). We have also been retained to assist in the development of RFPs and the selection process of the proposals received to select the right Vendor. E-Health systems are also integrated into current or future telemedicine or telehealth processes to ensure a seamless and secure transfer of information. Phases

RFP Writing, Selection and Review – If your organization requires that some part of your telehealth activity be put out to tender (e.g. technology, evaluation), we can help you write an RFP that private vendors can respond to. Phases

Policies and Procedures Development – Digital Telehealth Incorporated has been a leader in developing policies and procedures for telehealth / e-Health activities. We have had to deal with many common issues such as reimbursement, licensing, liability, cross jurisdictional activities, as well as developing the specific procedures how to conduct teleconsultations in a variety of specialties. Phases

Proposal Writing including grant proposals – Many of our clients do not have all the necessary funds to design, implement and evaluate their telehealth activities. We can help write proposals that have a high probability of success. We are aware of many sources of potential funds for telehealth projects and can give advice on which grant organizations, foundations, etc to apply to. Phases

Training – Training involves educating and training individuals how to use specific telehealth technologies. This can involve learning how to use the workstations for distance health education or specifically how to do remote consultations. On-going training programs can be customized and designed specifically for your program. A variety of media can be used for these training programs, e.g. Internet, DVD, videotape, textbooks, live presentation, and videoconferencing presentations. Phases

Implementation of Telehealth Technology and Telecommunications Network and Health Information Systems – After you have determined your needs and selected the technology and telecommunications based upon your needs, we can then help you with implementation. We can install and test the workstations and peripherals at each site. We can also help set-up and test your telecommunications network. If you already have technicians to do this, we can advise how to do it in the most efficient manner with the least number of delays. Phases

Evaluation of Telehealth Activities – We recommend that all telehealth activities have some form of evaluation. This can be a one-time or on-going evaluation, ideally both. Our consultants have numerous research publications in peer-reviewed journals. Key areas to evaluate include: patient satisfaction, health professional satisfaction, clinical quality, process evaluation, technology evaluation, effect on access and a cost analysis. Phases

Strategic Communications Planning – One of Digital Telehealth Incorporated's consultants is a formally-trained, accredited Public Relations Practitioner. We can help you develop internal and external communications programming to assist you in achieving the support you need both within and outside your organization in order to help ensure your telehealth program becomes a success. Phases