Skip Navigation

Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

Sign up for MCHalert eNewsletter

Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Adolescent Well-Visit.

MCHbest Logo

Strategy. Telemedicine

Approach. Fund startup costs for telemedicine in pediatric and family medicine practices

Return to main MCHbest page >>

Overview. Telemedicine, sometimes called telehealth, uses telecommunications technology to deliver consultative, diagnostic, and health care treatment services. Services can encompass primary and specialty care, referrals, and remote monitoring of vital signs, and may be provided via videoconference, email, smartphones, wireless tools, for other modalities. (ATA). Telemedicine can supplement health care services for patients who would benefit from frequent monitoring for provide services to individuals in areas with limited access to care.

Evidence. Scientifically Rigorous Evidence. Strategies with this rating are most likely to be effective. These strategies have been tested in multiple robust studies in a variety of populations and settings with consistently positive results, both on their own and in combination with other strategies. (Clarifying Note: The WWFH database calls this "scientifically supported evidence").

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source. (Read more about understanding evidence ratings).

Source. What Works for Health (WWFH) Database (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps)

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Access to/Receipt of Care. This strategy increases the ability for individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
  • Cost. This strategy helps to decrease the financial expenditure incurred by individuals, healthcare systems, and society in general for healthcare services.
  • Utilization. This strategy improves the extent to which individuals and communities use available healthcare services.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Collaboration (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Community-Focused

Examples from the Field. Access descriptions of ESMs that use this strategy directly or intervention components that align with this strategy. You can use these ESMs to see how other Title V agencies are addressing the NPM.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the Results-Based Accountability framework (for suggestions on how to develop programs to support this strategy, see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort ("What/how much did we do?")

PROCESS MEASURES:

  • Number of telemedicine visits and encounters conducted by funded practices, including primary care, specialty consultations, and remote monitoring sessions. (Measures the volume and scope of telemedicine services delivered)
  • Number of providers and staff in funded practices trained on telemedicine technologies, protocols, and best practices for patient engagement and quality care delivery. (Measures the capacity building efforts to ensure effective implementation of telemedicine)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort ("How well did we do it?")

PROCESS MEASURES:

  • Percent of funded pediatric and family medicine practices that successfully implement and sustain telemedicine services beyond the initial startup period. (Measures the long-term adoption and viability of telemedicine in funded practices)
  • Percent of telemedicine visits in funded practices that adhere to evidence-based clinical guidelines and quality standards for patient safety, privacy, and care effectiveness. (Measures the quality and consistency of telemedicine service delivery)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect ("Is anyone better off?")

PROCESS MEASURES:

  • Number of community outreach and education events conducted by funded practices to raise awareness and trust in telemedicine services. (Measures the efforts to address barriers in telemedicine access and utilization)
  • Number of policies, guidelines, and reimbursement models supported for adopted at the state level to create an enabling environment for sustainable telemedicine practice in pediatric and family medicine. (Measures the systems-level changes and supports for telemedicine scale-up)

OUTCOME MEASURES:

  • Number of children and adolescents from communities with limited access to primary care who receive developmentally appropriate preventive care, screenings, and early interventions through telemedicine visits with funded practices. (Measures the impact on advancing health and reducing gaps in pediatric care access)
  • Number of telemedicine-based mental health and behavioral health consultations provided by funded pediatric and family medicine practices. (Measures the impact on addressing the growing pediatric mental health crisis)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect ("How are they better off?")

PROCESS MEASURES:

  • Percent of Title V telemedicine startup funding and technical assistance resources allocated to practices serving rural areas. (Measures the distribution and tailoring of telemedicine investments)
  • Percent of telemedicine visits in funded practices that include the use of interpreters for language access services when needed. (Measures the usability of telemedicine services)

OUTCOME MEASURES:

  • Percent reduction in geographic and socioeconomic gaps in access to pediatric and family medicine services between communities with Title V-funded telemedicine practices and those without. (Measures the impact on closing the care access gap)
  • Percent of overall pediatric healthcare spending in the state that is shifted from costly emergency and hospital-based care to preventive, primary, and telemedicine-based care through the Title V startup funding initiative, demonstrating improved efficiency and value. (Measures the long-term financial and system-level impact of the telemedicine investment on pediatric healthcare delivery)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.