2020-12-15 OMA Agenda - Board of Trustees

Table 2. General “tips” regarding telehealth for obesity management • Potential advantages of telehealth o More timely, personalized, efficient, and coordinated health care delivery o Safer delivery of health care (i.e., during times of a pandemic wherein office visits might risk exposure to both patient and provider) o Improved communication o More convenience to patient o Greater accessibility to patients with immobility, relative lack of transportation, or located in areas where access to health care is limited o Greater satisfaction of health care to both patient and provider o Potential improved health outcomes o Reasonable cost • Strategies o If approved (or requested) by the patient, consider having a family or friend available on the telehealth encounter, to better understand the patient support system, and better ensure clarity of instructions o Conduct the telehealth encounter in a quiet room, without distractions, and with quality video equipment and adequate lighting o Regarding new patients, patients may be more reassured when providers show them their name on a diploma and scan the telehealth encounter room to confirm privacy o Place the video camera at the top of the screen, so that when the provider is looking at the screen, it will appear the provider is looking at the patient o Login several minutes before the scheduled encounter to address potential technical issues and to prepare for the virtual visit (i.e., review chart) – allowing prioritization of eye contact during the telehealth visit o Be respectful of the patient by being on time. If the provider is to be late, it is preferable to notify the patient so the patient does not believe it is their fault they are not able to connect o Consider use of two screens (or split screen)  Patient encounter screen  Patient charting screen  Split or sharing screen can be used to illustrate concepts or review laboratory o Have a plan when an in office, face-to-face encounters may be preferred:  Older individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk or with multiple concomitant illnesses wherein it may be preferable to have onsite vital signs, electrocardiogram, laboratory and/or a full physical exam  Women who are pregnant o Have a backup device and backup telehealth platform o Plan for priorities before the telehealth encounter

 Patients with substantial psychiatric disease  Patients with history of substance abuse  Patients who are unable to afford telehealth visits  Patients unable to utilize required technology for telehealth

• Accompanying technologies that may complement telehealth:

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