Experiences of Informatics Health Care Workers Redeployed to Provide Telehealth in a Coronavirus Disease-Screening Hub

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in many health care workers across the country being redeployed to different clinical roles. This study aimed to evaluate the unique experience of team members in our health system from clinical informatics who were redeployed to provide emergency telehealth care in a clinical role. Methods: Clinical informatics team members were redeployed during the first month of the pandemic onset in March 2020 to a clinic providing virtual screening for COVID-19. Participants completed an anonymous survey after 90 days. Results: During the study period, 76 clinical informatics team members provided telehealth and 85.3% of those eligible responded to the survey. Respondents felt prepared with clinical protocols and technical tools. The most common stressors were rapidly changing clinical protocols. Participants enjoyed the chance to work with patients and aiding during a pandemic. Conclusions: Clinical informatics team members redeployed to a virtual care screening hub endorsed positive experiences and the majority said that they would provide virtual care again. This experience gave important insights on how informatics skills can aid in a rapid coordinated telehealth response.

Keywords: information management; nursing technology; telehealth; telemedicine.