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health1d ago
A new kind of house call: First-of-its-kind telehealth program transforms care for homebound patients
- Duke piloted a home-based telehealth program pairing medical students with clinicians to care for homebound older adults in Durham.
- The study paired first- and third-year students with patients, supervising visits remotely and in person.
- Visits lasted up to an hour and used wireless hotspots to connect with supervising clinicians.
- Students measured blood pressure and oxygen, checked blood sugar, and reviewed medications during visits.
- Clinician supervision via telemedicine improved access to consistent, personalized care for homebound patients.
- The program revealed how in-home care can be life-enhancing for patients and meaningful for clinicians and students.
- Family members, neighbors, and even pets became part of the care process during home visits.
- The program included patients from Lincoln Community Health Center’s Just for Us initiative in Durham.
- The study ran from November 2022 to June 2023, focusing on home visits and virtual supervision.
- Researchers highlighted the challenges of in-home care and the potential to tailor care to patient contexts.
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