The healthcare landscape has undergone significant transformation due to technological advancements, particularly in telemedicine and virtual care. These changes from the technological and administrative side, combined with the complexities of social and personal health matters, have both enhanced and complicated healthcare. There are plenty of innovations that have provided new avenues for delivering medical services influencing various aspects of patient care and the work life of healthcare professionals. With all these new factors, one of the questions that has begun to emerge in the industry is whether such adopted technologies are making a difference.
Of all the factors that have needed a drastic overhaul in healthcare, the issue of professional burnout easily hovers near the top of the list. A pervasive issue, and one that has gained increased attention, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals and administrators have worked hard to change this poor track record.
Telemedicine and virtual care have certainly made an impact in the industry from a client facing side, but has it helped to ease the rates of nursing burnout?
Understanding Nurse Burnout
Nurse burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often exacerbated by workplace demands, insufficient staffing, and emotional strain from patient care. Symptoms include decreased motivation, feelings of helplessness, and a decline in job performance. The increase in patient loads and the emotional labor associated with caring for critically ill patients has only intensified these issues, leading to higher turnover rates and a depleted workforce. While the rates of burnout are nowhere near as high as during the pandemic, they do still exist in such a demanding field.
Considering The Role of Telemedicine and Virtual Care
Telemedicine and virtual care refer to the delivery of healthcare services via digital platforms, enabling nurses and other healthcare providers to offer care remotely. Video consultations, remote monitoring, and mobile health applications have emerged as vital components of modern healthcare. These innovations that can streamline processes and improve access to care, and even leading to greater success in nursing school, have also shown to be particularly beneficial in addressing burnout among nurses. Here are some of the benefits:
Benefits of Telemedicine for Nurses
- Flexibility in Work Arrangements: Telemedicine allows nurses to work from home or other locations, which can help them manage their work-life balance more effectively. This flexibility can be especially advantageous for nurses who juggle multiple responsibilities or those returning from maternity leave.
- Reduced Physical Strain: With telehealth, nurses often have less physical demand on their bodies compared to traditional bedside care. They can engage with patients without the physical toll of constant movement, lifting, and the rigors associated with in-person care, which can lead to lower rates of fatigue.
- Improved Workload Management: Telehealth solutions can optimize workflows, reduce understaffing and patient overload. By allowing nurses to monitor patients remotely, they can focus their attention on higher-acuity cases that require in-person intervention.
- Enhanced Patient Engagement: Virtual care can improve patient compliance and engagement, as nurses can provide education and follow-up in a more accessible and timely manner. This can lead to better patient outcomes, which in turn can be a significant morale booster for nursing staff.
- Supportive Resources: Many telehealth platforms incorporate support tools, such as patient education materials and coordinated care pathways, that can reduce the administrative burden on nurses. By streamlining communication and documentation, the technology can help nurses focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.
The Challenges That Remain
While telemedicine offers numerous benefits, it is not without its challenges. Not all patients have equal access to technology, potentially widening the gap in healthcare equity. Additionally, the rapid shift to virtual care may leave some nurses feeling unprepared or inadequately trained to use these new systems effectively. The need for ongoing education, at both the MSN and DNP course level, cannot be overlooked, as nurses must be both comfortable with the technology and confident in delivering care remotely.
Increased access to these technologies can positively impact on the nursing profession. However, ongoing efforts must be made to address the challenges of access and training to ensure that all nurses can benefit from these innovations. In order to fully glean the greatest returns and efficacies for both patient and caregiver, more steps should be taken to introduce and optimize processes systematically, technologically, and administratively.
Photo Credit
Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay
Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren
With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.
It’s interesting to see how telemedicine has helped ease nurse burnout. Virtual care definitely seems like a game-changer in supporting healthcare professionals.