Enhancing Practitioner Skills Through Virtual Team-Based Care Planning
The implementation of virtual team-based care planning has emerged as a significant development in the healthcare sector, especially for older adults in formal care settings. According to the research article "Implementation and impacts of virtual team-based care planning for older persons in formal care settings: A scoping review," this approach offers numerous benefits, including improved mental and physical health outcomes, efficient medication management, and smoother care transitions. This blog explores how practitioners can enhance their skills by adopting virtual team-based care planning and encourages further research in this area.
Understanding the Benefits
The scoping review highlights several positive outcomes of virtual team-based care planning:
- Improved Mental and Physical Health: Virtual care has been shown to reduce depression and responsive behaviors in older adults. It also facilitates better physical health outcomes through increased service referrals and reduced falls.
- Efficient Medication Management: Virtual care allows for better medication management by correcting medication errors and updating prescriptions to meet the needs of older adults.
- Smooth Care Transitions: Virtual care improves care transitions by reducing hospital readmissions and facilitating home discharges with appropriate support.
Addressing Barriers and Facilitators
While virtual team-based care planning offers many advantages, practitioners must be aware of potential barriers, such as technological issues and access to technology. To overcome these challenges, healthcare providers should focus on:
- Technological Training: Providing training for older adults, families, and healthcare providers to ensure they are comfortable using virtual care technologies.
- Access to Technology: Ensuring that older adults and their families have access to the necessary devices and reliable internet connections.
- Facilitating Communication: Encouraging open communication between interdisciplinary teams to enhance collaboration and improve patient outcomes.
Encouraging Further Research
While the benefits of virtual team-based care planning are evident, there is still a need for further research to fully understand its impact and optimize its implementation. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in ongoing research to explore new strategies and technologies that can enhance virtual care delivery. By staying informed and actively participating in research, practitioners can continue to improve their skills and provide better care for older adults.
Conclusion
Virtual team-based care planning represents a promising approach to improving healthcare outcomes for older adults. By understanding its benefits, addressing potential barriers, and engaging in further research, practitioners can enhance their skills and contribute to the advancement of virtual care. To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Implementation and impacts of virtual team-based care planning for older persons in formal care settings: A scoping review.
