Should CommonSpirit Health prioritize expanding telemedicine services to reach more rural patients or invest in upgrading existing hospital facilities to improve in-person care quality?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether CommonSpirit Health should prioritize expanding telemedicine services to reach more rural patients or invest in upgrading existing hospital facilities to improve in-person care quality. This scenario touches on the critical balance between accessibility and quality in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: Based on the current healthcare landscape, I'm thinking telemedicine has seen significant growth. Could you share how CommonSpirit's telemedicine services have performed over the past year compared to in-person care?

Why it matters: Helps understand the current adoption and effectiveness of telemedicine. Expected answer: Telemedicine has grown but still lags behind in-person care in certain areas. Impact on approach: Would influence the potential scale and impact of telemedicine expansion.

• Business Context: I'm assuming improving rural healthcare access is a key strategic priority. How does this initiative align with CommonSpirit's overall business goals and revenue model?

Why it matters: Ensures the solution supports broader organizational objectives. Expected answer: It's a high priority, aligning with the mission to serve underserved communities. Impact on approach: Would justify significant investment and resources if highly aligned.

• User Impact: Considering the rural patient demographic, what have been the main barriers to telemedicine adoption so far?

Why it matters: Identifies potential challenges that need to be addressed in the expansion. Expected answer: Technology access, internet connectivity, and user familiarity are likely challenges. Impact on approach: Would inform the necessary support systems and education initiatives.

• Technical: What's the current state of our telemedicine infrastructure? Are we looking at scaling existing systems or building new ones?

Why it matters: Determines the technical feasibility and scalability of the telemedicine option. Expected answer: Existing system with room for improvement and scaling. Impact on approach: Influences the timeline and resource allocation for the telemedicine option.

• Resource: What's our current budget allocation between telemedicine and facility upgrades? How flexible is this?

Why it matters: Helps understand the financial constraints and possibilities. Expected answer: Limited budget with some flexibility for reallocation. Impact on approach: Would impact the scale and pace of implementation for either option.