As healthcare strives to connect an expanding pool of patients to their health care providers Telehealth is poised for massive growth. Thomas Jefferson University is leading the nation’s adoption of telehealth with expansion in four key domains: outpatient care, transitions in care, inpatient care, and academic research. Medical students (MS4) interested in learning more about these healthcare innovations may apply to this elective hosted by the Department of Emergency Medicine. 

The goal of the MS4 Telehealth elective is to introduce students to the broad applications of telehealth in patient care (i.e., on-demand acute, unscheduled care; scheduled visits; and patient follow-up visits). Students will be immersed in a multifaceted experience to expose, educate, and train them on the delivery and utility of telehealth in patient care. This elective will include practice in telehealth care delivery with patients and immersion in telehealth research opportunities.

A major focus will be placed on developing both the clinical and non-clinical skills that are essential to telehealth delivery, such as the telehealth physical exam, virtual doctor-patient communication, and troubleshooting technology challenges. Students will participate in orientation, practical experience as well as a research/educations project to be completed by the end of the rotation.

Orientation: At the beginning of the elective, students will be given an introductory orientation providing an overview of Jefferson’s telehealth program (JeffConnect). In addition, students will be assigned to ongoing research or program development by faculty leads throughout the duration of the elective.

Practical experience: Students are encouraged to observe and participate in as many telehealth calls as possible during the rotation. Prior to initiating calls with actual patients, students will be expected to “practice calls” in simulated setting. Students will keep a log of all actual patient cases that will not include patient identifying information. Students will also have the opportunity to sit in on administrative meetings related to the telehealth program as determined by faculty leads on an ad hoc basis.

Research:  Students will be provided with at least 1 telehealth research and/or education project to contribute to during the course of the elective. This time commitment, responsibilities, and topic may vary. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss project plans with faculty lead to ensure a beneficial and worthwhile experience.