A detailed feasibility study is an essential element in the process of diligently assessing any new health services business venture.

QUESTION

A detailed feasibility study is an essential element in the process of diligently assessing any new health services business venture. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care industry is currently one of the fastest growing fields in the United States, and it is projected that the field will grow by 22 percent by 2018. This is compared to an 11 percent average growth rate for all other industries (United States Department of Labor, 2012). Whether you are considering new medical service lines, an expansion of your current operation or any other type of health care business venture, a feasibility study is an essential planning tool for any future health care leader.

In this assignment, you will be taking the first step toward the completion of your final assignment by settling on the topic for your feasibility study. Please read the Leff, et al (2005) article, “Hospital at Home: Feasibility and Outcomes of a Program to Provide Hospital-Level Care at Home for Acutely Ill Older Patients.” Reflect on the procedures and content found in the article to aid you in choosing and shaping a topic for your feasibility study. The topic you select should be of interest and meaningful to you and your career, and it must be related to health care delivery.

Create a document that includes the following:

Title: Proposed title for the feasibility study
Topic: Topic of the feasibility study
Description: A brief description (250-500 words) of how the proposal will impact the quality, availability, accessibility, and affordability of care
List of Resources: A list of five scholarly sources that you plan to use as you complete your feasibility study
Writing the Feasibility Study Topic and Area of Interest
The Paper:

Must be one to two double-spaced pages in length, excluding the title and reference pages, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must address the topic with critical thought.
Must include the listed headings with the content required under each.
Must use at least five scholarly sources that were published within the last five years, including a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources from the Ashford University Library.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

ANSWER

Feasibility Study: Implementing Telehealth Services for Rural Communities

The feasibility of implementing telehealth services to improve the quality, availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare in rural communities.

Description

The proposed feasibility study aims to assess the viability of introducing telehealth services in rural communities to address the challenges of limited healthcare access and improve the overall quality, availability, accessibility, and affordability of care.

Rural communities often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare due to geographical remoteness, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. By implementing telehealth services, which utilize telecommunications technology to provide remote medical consultations and services, these barriers can be overcome.

The study will explore the potential impact of telehealth on the quality of care by examining factors such as patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and adherence to treatment plans. It will assess the availability of services by analyzing the range of medical specialties that can be effectively provided through telehealth, including primary care, mental health, chronic disease management, and preventive care.

Furthermore, the study will evaluate the accessibility of care by examining the technological infrastructure requirements, such as internet connectivity and telecommunication networks, to ensure that rural communities have the necessary resources to access telehealth services. It will also consider the affordability of care by analyzing the economic implications and cost-effectiveness of implementing telehealth compared to traditional in-person healthcare delivery.