U.S. researchers say a new telecommunication technology, Telehealth, is delaying hospital stays when compared with patients receiving traditional care.

A University of Missouri researcher said Telehealth interventions by telephone or videophone after hospitalizations have the potential to allow earlier detection of key clinical symptoms, triggering early intervention from providers and reducing the need for patient hospitalization.

Telehealth does not necessarily change the care providers give, said Associate Professor Bonnie Wakefield. Rather, it changes the communication channel between clinicians and patients to minimize geographic barriers and enhance delivery of service, Wakefield said. "According to patients, it is not important how the interaction happens, but just that it happens.

People who suffer from chronic illnesses usually wait three to six months between office appointments with their care providers, she said. With video and telephone technology, nurses have the ability to interact regularly with patients and provide a sense of security. Patients discuss concerns on a frequent basis, and nurses give advice and detect problems that the patient might not notice.

The study is to be published in the Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health.

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