At PPMM, one of the few silver linings of the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 is the acceleration of telehealth services at all of our health centers. Regional Operations Director Chavon A. says there have been some unforeseen benefits of telehealth that have been spurred by the pandemic.
“If we’re short-staffed at one of our health centers one day, we can have an HSS (health services specialist) from, say, Modesto do intake via telehealth while a patient from our Hayward health center is in the comfort of their home,” Chavon said. “That patient will still be getting quality, personal care while also being able to see their nurse or clinician from their ‘home health center.’
“Now, we’re able to cast a wider net to reach out to all other health centers in our large region for services, including staff who speak a language other than English. It’s given us more flexibility to reach patients where they are in the way that makes them feel safest.”
Expanded telehealth continues to make our care even more convenient for people during this pandemic -- when many are worried about the risk of going out — while making sure they can still be seen by the PPMM provider they have known for years.
Tags: telehealth, Health_care_access