Telehealth linked to increases in nurse workload

A University of Missouri study of nursing care for patients with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes found telehealth significantly impacted nurses’ workloads. The researchers analyzed data transmitted from 74 patients' in-home telehealth devices to six family medicine clinics. Unlike patients receiving traditional in-person care every 90 days, telehealth patients submitted their blood glucose and blood pressure levels multiple times a week and received more guidance from nurses, resulting in better health outcomes. The study raised questions about the potential strain on nurses resulting from telehealth care models and the need to reconsider appropriate patient loads when nurses use telehealth. (HealthLeaders Media article, 4/30/21)