FAU Launches New Telehealth Certification Course
Jessica Mendez, MSN, APRN -BC, CDE, at the FAU Community Health Center at Westgate operated by the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
With the arrival of the pandemic, more healthcare professionals nationwide turned to telehealth or telemedicine to remain engaged with their patients. Telehealth connects patients to vital healthcare services through videoconferencing, remote monitoring, electronic consults and wireless communications. These “virtual” visits have significantly increased in popularity due in large part to the many benefits they provide – most notably – reducing everyone’s exposure to COVID-19.
In response to this “virtual” healthcare boom, Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has launched a new telehealth certification course that provides the essential knowledge to deliver skilled telehealth services with competence and care. The 20-hour, fully online course addresses telehealth platforms and models for practice; evidence-based telehealth technology; quality improvement measures; regulation, policy and reimbursement; telehealth inter-professional practice and specialized populations; and telehealth and the future.
For the program, experts will focus on topics related to health equity, improving access, health disparities, and inter-professional practice with specific populations in relationship to the application and implementation of various telehealth platforms. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with each other as well as experts in the translation of telehealth technology into practice.
“The pandemic has changed the means by which health professionals communicate with their patients, which is why we developed this telehealth certification course,” said Tamara Love, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, assistant professor, FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “We want to ensure that clinicians are effectively prepared. This program will provide them with the tools and knowledge they need when communicating virtually so that all patients receive the compassionate care they are seeking and moreover, to preserve the ‘human touch’ during these challenging times.”
Among the many benefits of telehealth include the ability to address health issues, often without leaving home; and easier access to specialists outside of a service area. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), currently, 76 percent of hospitals in the United States connect with patients and consulting practitioners at a distance through the use of video and other technology. Virtual care technology saves patients time and money, reduces patient transfers, emergency department and urgent care center visits, and delivers savings to payers. In addition, telehealth helps address burnout by reducing clinicians’ drive times and allowing more time for patients.
“The current global COVID-19 pandemic significantly catalyzed the implementation of telehealth and access to care via telehealth modalities. Outpatient clinics, hospitals and others are using telehealth tools to connect with patients for care and follow-up. Yet, many providers – across the spectrum – have received little to no formal training on best practices for telehealth. We wanted to help address this knowledge and technical skills gap to optimize the telehealth experience for both patients and providers,” said Safiya George, Ph.D., APRN, ANP-BC, dean and professor of FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
The FAU telehealth certification course costs $495, and classes begin on March 15. The deadline to register is March 13. For more information, visit nursing.fau.edu/telehealth or call 561-297-6261 or email telehealth@health.fau.edu.
FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is at the forefront of online education and its master’s degree in nursing is ranked No. 7 in the nation for “Best Online Graduate Programs” in 2020 by U.S. News & World Report. The college soared to No. 7 from the No. 23 spot in 2019, and is the top-ranked program for private and public institutions in Florida.
-FAU-
Tags: community | faculty and staff | nursing | coronavirus