NR 706 Week 3 Consumer Informatics/Telehealth Case Study

NR 706 Week 3 Consumer Informatics/Telehealth Case Study

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-706: Healthcare Informatics & Information Systems

Prof. Name

Date

Week 3: Consumer Informatics/Telehealth Case Study

Case Overview

Mr. Kasich, a 77-year-old man, was admitted to the emergency department after falling while getting out of bed. His blood glucose level was critically low at 35 mg/dL, leading to a diagnosis of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia. This was unexpected since his glucose levels were previously stable. His medical condition is further complicated by advanced congestive heart failure and lung cancer. Mr. Kasich is covered under Medicare Parts A and B and resides with his wife in a rural area, approximately 40 miles away from the nearest healthcare provider. Despite his age, he is proficient in using his home computer, which presents opportunities for digital health management.

In contrast, Mr. Lane is a 42-year-old long-haul truck driver admitted for worsening heart failure. He also has type 2 diabetes mellitus but holds private insurance coverage. Unlike Mr. Kasich, Mr. Lane lives a mobile lifestyle, primarily residing in his truck. This highly transient living condition creates unique healthcare challenges, particularly regarding continuity of care.

Both patients are being discharged with access to telehealth services that utilize remote monitoring technologies. These devices track key health parameters such as blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and oxygen saturation, transmitting data directly to telehealth nurses for continuous monitoring. While telehealth lacks physical face-to-face interaction, its primary goals are to minimize hospital readmissions, improve patient satisfaction, enhance health outcomes, and empower patients to actively manage their conditions. This approach aligns closely with the principles of patient-centered nursing care.

How Can Telehealth Assist in Equality of Health Care Resource Distribution?

Telehealth has become an effective strategy for promoting equitable healthcare distribution by reducing geographical and logistical barriers. For patients like Mr. Kasich, who live in rural or underserved areas, telehealth significantly reduces the need for frequent travel while ensuring timely clinical assessments and interventions. Similarly, for mobile individuals like Mr. Lane, telehealth provides consistent access to healthcare, regardless of physical location.

However, achieving true equity through telehealth requires addressing several systemic challenges. These include inadequate broadband infrastructure, limited access to necessary devices, digital illiteracy, and financial constraints. Without targeted interventions, such disparities may continue to disadvantage rural, low-income, or minority populations. Addressing these limitations can promote fairness, improve the utilization of healthcare resources, and ensure that all individuals—regardless of location or socioeconomic status—receive equitable care (Edirippulige & Armfield, 2017).

Barriers to Achieving Health Equity in Telehealth

Although telehealth offers many advantages, several barriers can impede equitable healthcare access and utilization. These include:

1. Equity in Access:
   Rural regions often lack reliable internet connectivity, restricting telehealth adoption.

2. Respect and Self-Determination:
   Patients may experience depersonalization due to digital interactions, potentially diminishing their autonomy and engagement.

3. Health Literacy:
   Limited understanding of medical or digital information can prevent effective participation in telehealth programs.

4. Cyclic Disadvantage:
   Patients from vulnerable populations often face compounded issues such as poverty, chronic illness, and systemic inequities, perpetuating negative health outcomes.

5. Healthcare Disparities:
   Low-income and minority groups frequently encounter greater barriers, leading to unequal healthcare delivery and poorer outcomes (Nouri et al., 2020).

Patient Comparison: Benefits of Telehealth and Ethical Considerations

Comparison Table

Ethical Considerations from the Nurse’s Perspective

From an ethical standpoint, nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring telehealth is implemented with integrity and respect for patient rights. Upholding autonomy requires that patients fully understand telehealth technologies and actively participate in their care decisions. Nurses should provide education and support to both Mr. Kasich and Mr. Lane to enhance digital competence and informed consent.

Equity is another key ethical concern. Nurses must advocate for fair and inclusive access to telehealth, especially for patients facing geographical or occupational barriers. Confidentiality also remains crucial, particularly for patients like Mr. Lane, whose data may be transmitted over unsecured or public networks. Nurses have a professional duty to safeguard patient information through appropriate cybersecurity measures.

Furthermore, cultural sensitivity and respect for individual differences must guide nurse-patient interactions. Building and maintaining trust, encouraging engagement, and ensuring telehealth complements rather than replaces personal care relationships are all essential to ethical nursing practice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

Conclusion

Telehealth represents an innovative and transformative approach to healthcare delivery. It enhances patient autonomy, promotes self-management, and reduces preventable hospitalizations. The cases of Mr. Kasich and Mr. Lane demonstrate the adaptability of telehealth in addressing diverse patient needs—from managing chronic conditions in rural areas to supporting individuals with mobile lifestyles.

However, the success of telehealth relies on addressing key barriers, including limited internet access, digital literacy gaps, and ethical considerations surrounding privacy and autonomy. By addressing these challenges, nurses can ensure that telehealth remains patient-centered, equitable, and ethically sound. Ultimately, telehealth serves as more than a technological tool—it is a vital mechanism for building a more just and inclusive healthcare system.

References

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Edirippulige, S., & Armfield, N. R. (2017). Education and training to support the use of clinical telehealth: A review of the literature. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 23(2), 273–282. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X16632968

NR 706 Week 3 Consumer Informatics/Telehealth Case Study

Nouri, S., Khoong, E. C., Lyles, C. R., & Karliner, L. (2020). Addressing equity in telemedicine for chronic disease management during the COVID-19 pandemic. NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.20.0123