Course Dates: June 7 - July 24, 2021

Course Cost: $400 NSU Affiliates: $280

Course Format: Canvas, a web-based learning management system, will be utilized for course content and communication

Participation: Each module will require a minimum time commitment of 3 hours weekly. Generally, one hour will be allocated to reading, viewing, and studying; one hour will be dedicated to interacting with other students; and, one hour will be needed to complete assignments, including the development and presentation of the course final project.

Course Assessment: The Telehealth Basics course is Pass/Fail.  Participants must complete all the requirements of the six course modules, to receive the course certificate of completion and applicable CEUs. 

Module Descriptions:

Module 1: Wading into Telehealth

This module focuses on the history and development of Telemedicine and its evolution into Telehealth. The discussion includes the four types of Telehealth and their applications. The module provides an overview of the use of Telehealth in health care disciplines and professions.

Module 2: Ethical and Cultural Considerations in Telehealth

The focus of this module is the emergent ethical and cultural factors occurring due to the rapid evolution and technological advances in Telehealth. Ethical considerations include meeting the standard of care and providing high-quality service to all patients through Telehealth, regardless of patient and clinician distance. The module explores cultural considerations such as access to technology, age-based differences, language barriers, and family inclusion for best practices in Telehealth delivery.  

Module 3: Telehealth Regulatory and Legal Issues

This module introduces key legal, regulatory, and HIPAA requirements required to deliver telehealth services. While Telehealth is 'coming into its own, a uniform legal approach in the provision of telehealth services is lacking. Health care professionals need to understand some of the guiding federal and state regulations and temporary provisions in the 1135 Waiver during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Module 4: Reimbursement and Coding

This module discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated patient access to health care through the rapid evolution of Telehealth. Medicare and insurance companies make changes to Telehealth coverage policies on an ongoing basis. Telehealth providers, clinicians, and administrative need to know and remain current on the eligible billing codes for Telehealth services reimbursement specific to their state.   

Module 5: Quality Metrics and Patient Satisfaction

This module introduces approaches that evaluate Telehealth quality and patient perceptions of Telehealth experiences. Areas of assessment include Telehealth access and utilization, patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, clinician experiences of Telehealth, costs, and cost-effectiveness of Telehealth. Telehealth of the future is now Telehealth today. The continuous and rapid expansion of Telehealth needs quality measures that monitor and ensure the delivery of quality of patient care through technology.

Module 6: Introduction to Telepresence

Module 6 introduces the development of Telepresence through the creation of a virtual space in which patients to feel safe to share their stories with the provider. The module presents integral concepts and skills for practitioners to create an empathetic and engaging virtual environment.

Module 7 Final Project: Putting it All Together!

You are bringing back the knowledge and skills you gained from Telehealth Basics to your health care work setting or clinical practice. For your final project, you need to develop a guide for your colleagues and co-workers who are new to Telehealth. The guide will assist the interprofessional and successful preparation, initiation, and completion of a Telehealth encounter. 

The Sharks BITE (Building Innovators of Telehealth Excellence) Telehealth Basics and Telehealth Advances courses are developed for clinicians and students in the Allied Health Professions:

• Anesthesiology Assistants
• Athletic Trainers
• Audiologists
• Dentists, Orthodontists
• Dental Hygienists and Dental Professionals
• Dieticians and Nutritionists
• Exercise Physiologists and Sports Science Professionals
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Nurses
• Occupational Therapists
• Optometrists and Opticians
• Physical Therapists
• Physician Assistants
• Psychologists, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals
• Radiation Therapists
• Respiratory Therapists
• Sonographers
• Speech Therapists
• Others

Contact Robert McCalla and explore how the Shark BITES courses fit with your health care profession.

Robert McCalla, M.S.
Professional Development Manager
Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
rmccalla@nova.edu | (954) 262-1378

Brianna Black Kent, Ph.D., RN (ret.)

Dr. Kent is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Professional Development and Education for the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences (PCHCS). Dr. Kent is the Telehealth course leader. 

Debra A. Dixon, RDH, MS, DHSc

Dr. Debra Dixon an Associate Professor and the Director of the Master of Health Science program in the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences (PCHCS). 

Lynn Chevalier, DHSc, MPH (CPH), MS, CSSGB, CPC 

Dr. Lynn Chevalier is an Assistant Professor with the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences (PCHCS), Department of Health Science.

Melissa Morris, MSN, RN, CPN, CHSE

Mrs. Morris is the Director of Simulation and Interactive Technologies for the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences (PCHCS).

Robert McCalla, MS

Robert McCalla is the Professional Development Manager at the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences at Nova Southeastern University (NSU).