Running head: HOMELESS POPULATION 1
HOMELESS POPULATION 2
Application of Telehealth in Homeless Population
Name:
Course: Nursing Informatic
Date of Submission: January 19, 2020
Application of Telehealth in Homeless Population
In the advent of technology, telehealth has greatly been embraced, as it simply requires a tablet or a computer for access. Telehealth technology has greatly impacted health care, as it has made collaboration easier, enhancing efficiency in patient outcome. This is because patients can access health care services at the comfort of their own homes (Dorsey& Topol, 2016). They can readily access specialists and practices, that are not as obvious to them. This has enhanced collaborative relationships between physicians and their patients, both in their geographical areas and beyond. Telehealth technology has remained influential in cases where physicians are focused on remote monitoring of their patients, those offering medical education, as well as in specialist referral services. The other benefit associated with effective collaboration includes physicians effectively engaging their patients in the whole process. This results to better patient outcome and increased satisfaction.
This paper seeks to examine the homeless population, and the various health needs that they present. In this case, the homeless population under examination will be the youth, in rural areas. This population is inclusive of both male and female. Homeless population present the need for health education, as a proactive effort in fostering health. The homeless live in unfavorable conditions, thus making them susceptible to a number of health-related issues (Taylor, Kendzor, Reitzel & Businelle, 2016). Telehealth technology can therefore be very important when it comes to meeting the health needs of such a population. In the present and recent past, it has been reported that most homeless people are discriminated in health care services and settings. This has made it difficult for them, resulting to reluctance in accessing health care services. In the introduction of virtual care technology, such gaps are bridged, making it easier.
The most common health need is hygiene. Research points out that most of the homeless population live in unfavorable conditions. This implies that most of them are pushed to survive in dirty environments. In this, it is important that they are made aware of the need to foster personal hygiene. This is through encouraging them to put on clean clothes, and ensure that they try their best to keep their environment safe. Dirty clothes for instance can lead to skin related health issues (Dorsey& Topol, 2016). Through telehealth audio encounters, they are able to be educated on the importance of hygiene, and its relation to good health. Through telehealth technology, they can be able to learn the need to keep their environment safe and clean, for healthy living. The need for education on proper waste disposal is equally beneficial in promoting good health.
Reproductive health is important when it comes to the homeless population. Research points out that homeless adults have decreased access to health care resources. This has increased their mortality rate and increased their risk to chronic illnesses (Taylor, Kendzor, Reitzel & Businelle, 2016). There is the need to educate homeless women on family planning needs, the use of sanitary towels among other reproductive health needs. This implies that it is important to educate them on the need for safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted infection. Through telehealth video encounters, this information can easily be disseminated to them, allowing them to seek clarification on related concerns.
Consequently, the need for health behavior education is equally important. This includes education on the need for balanced diet. Homeless population care less on eating a balanced diet, since most of them are of low socio-economic status (Taylor, Kendzor, Reitzel & Businelle, 2016). Telehealth will make it possible for them to get this information, and its benefit on their health. The need for physical exercise and its implication on their health is another central health need. They need to learn the various exercises that can be easy and convenient for them. They can equally be educated on the need to avoid risky behavior such as smoking, drug and substance abuse, as they have serious implications on health. Telehealth remote patient monitoring can be very effective in achieving this.
Reference
Dorsey, E. R., & Topol, E. J. (2016). State of telehealth. New England Journal of Medicine,
375(2), 154-161.
Taylor, E. M., Kendzor, D. E., Reitzel, L. R., & Businelle, M. S. (2016). Health risk factors and
desire to change among homeless adults. American journal of health behavior, 40(4),
455-460.
