In my previous post, I examined different stakeholder’s perspectives on the implementation of an AV systems design for virtual healthcare appointments. I suggested that Senior leadership would question whether it was necessary to implement an AV system across all health units or only to a select few. In order to answer that question, it would be crucial to have supporting data to build a case for those health centres where there is an identified need. The data collection has to match the identified business program and it is this data that will inform the decision making (KelloggInsight, 2015).
Types of data that could be considered are: number of patient medical trips, number of health providers or specialists in town vs. population, demographics, and proximity to an urban centre. However, the collection of this data may not tell the whole picture and will require working knowledge and interpretation to ensure the data paints the correct picture. For example, the data may show a high number of out of town medical trips to receive care even though it was identified that there is a health care provider in town. What the data doesn’t tell us is that patients had a negative experience and are not willing to go back to see that provider. This example illustrates the need for those pushing the change to really understand the numbers/data and what they mean.
If the case for the identified health centres is approved and they receive the AV systems to begin virtual health care appointments, the types of data to be collected to show its’ success would be: a decrease in the number of out of town medical trips, a gradual increase in uptake of the number of virtual appointments over time, a decrease in the number of urgent health care needs because there would be more regular prevention care. Survey data could also be collected to ensure that patients were pleased with the virtual care they received ensuring quality assurance and identifying areas of improvement.
References
KelloggInsight. (2015, May 1). A Leader’s Guide to Data Analysis: A working knowledge of data science can help you lead with confidence. KelloggInsight. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/a-leaders-guide-to-data-analytics/