Technological innovations are changing the way that patients, particularly the chronically ill, receive health care. Patients are becoming responsible for coordinating more of their own care. One example of this increase in responsibility is the use of remote patient management technologies – video conferencing between physicians and patients – by the Veteran’s Health Administration (VHA). Veterans with chronic illnesses can now consult with their physicians remotely, which makes care less expensive and allows patients to individualize their care with less reliance on medicine and more focus on non-medical assistance. The VHA’s use of remote patient technologies has been so successful that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid implemented remote patient management for a portion of the Medicare fee-for-service population.
As internet, audio and video conferencing and other technological innovations become more frequently used, patients will have to change their behavior and become educated on how to play a greater role in their care. A recent study of the strengths and weaknesses of remote patient management suggests that one of the core tools are becoming available to patients require in this new era of health care delivery non-medical coaches. In their recent Health Affairs article, Molly Cote, Ateret Haselkorn and Steven DeMello recommend coaching, what they describe as “motivational interviewing and other techniques to encourage patient behavioral change and self-care.” The Rosenkranz Law Firm works with 3rd party vendors to help our clients build a supportive care environment that meets their families needs. This may result with families are receiving the individualized health care that they require at an affordable cost. Many elders and their families have found Brook Crumrine our care coach to be of great help. Clients of the firm report be able to meet the expectations of a health care system that is requiring that patients take more responsibility for the quality and coordination of their own health care.