Telehealth Transformation: A Mixed-Methods Study on Organizational Change Processes and Outcomes in a Private Medical Practice

TL;DR

This study explores how a private pediatric clinic system changed after adopting telehealth, showing both financial gains and operational challenges.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the organizational change processes and outcomes of telehealth implementation in a private medical practice.

Findings

Telehealth adoption led to a 44% increase in costs and a 47% increase in revenues.

Monthly telehealth visits per provider increased by over 450%.

Most providers valued scheduling flexibility, but many staff reported workflow disruptions.

Abstract

Background: This mixed-methods case study investigated the impacts, costs, barriers, and facilitators associated with implementing telehealth services across a private pediatric clinic system. The research examined the effects of telehealth on provider engagement and financial performance.

Methodology: Twenty-three clinicians, administrators, and staff across the pediatric clinics were interviewed before and after enterprise-level telehealth adoption to examine change processes amid this innovation. Twelve months of pre- and post-implementation financial records underwent statistical analysis to assess revenue and cost dynamics. Quantitative outcome measures encompassed expenses, revenues, and telehealth visit utilization rates, while qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups revealed key implementation themes through rigorous inductive coding of participant narratives.

Results: Results showed significantly increased costs (44%) and revenues (47%) at clinics following virtual care expansion. Monthly telehealth visits per provider exponentially rose over 450%. Qualitatively, 83% of providers appreciated scheduling flexibility benefits, but 68% of staff cited workflow disruptions.

Conclusions: Interpretatively, findings demonstrated catalyzed financial and productivity transformations and nuanced perceived disruption amid pronounced appointment capacity expansions. Recommendations encompass updated care coordination protocols, enhanced training and support resources, incentivizing provider usage, and modulating implementation pacing responding to user feedback during large-scale organizational innovation.