Telehealth for Home Health Certificate Program
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The incidence of chronic disease in the United States is growing. Aging of the "Baby Boom" generation is resulting in an increase in the numbers of patients with chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and others. These patients require long term disease management which can be provided by home care. The goal of home care is to foster independence, provide clients control and encourage decision making for those living with chronic conditions. Telehealth is an appropriate method for care of this population and can provide an avenue for remote monitoring of clients and their conditions.
The term telehealth is broad and describes a variety of patient monitoring modalities. All utilize electronic communication to exchange information and gather data for the specific purpose of health promotion. Health promotion includes disease prevention, consultation and education in other words case management. The need for education for home health agencies that focuses on the establishment of a telehealth delivery system has never been greater.
Description of Program
This interactive Certificate Program is a four week, 24 hour continuing education program for home care nurses, managers, providers, and physicians. The course has been reviewed by local and national experts and the focus is on the establishment of telehealth delivery systems in home care organizations utilizing a heart failure model. The purpose is to provide the knowledge and skills needed for the creation, practice and evaluation of telehealth services.
The program consists of four modules. Each module contains reading assignments, an instructor outline, audio/visual presentations, interactive learning components, study guide questions, and a comprehensive exam. Learners interact with faculty who are expert in the area of telehealth. A certificate will be mailed approximately 30 days following completion of the course assignments, a comprehensive exam, payment of course fees, and a course evaluation.
Who Should Enroll in this Program
This program is designed for English-speaking nurses, home care administrators, home care managers, physicians and other professionals interested in incorporating telehealth; providers who have, or will have in the future, responsibility for the delivery of telehealth services.
Program Curriculum
Program content will include:
- An introduction to telehealth in nursing
- Overview of heart failure
- Telehealth in practice
- Outcomes measurement
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this continuing education program is to offer physicians, nurses, home care managers, and other health care professionals an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in the delivery of telehealth services. At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to:
- Discuss the history of telehealth in nursing and homecare.
- List the various components of a telehealth program.
- Discuss the pathophysiology of heart failure relative to telehealth.
- Match telehealth to appropriate clients.
- Select appropriate telehealth outcomes for measurement.
Course Schedule
Offering dates for 2012: September 10 (registration deadline August 24).
We reserve the right to cancel any offering due to insufficient enrollment. Registrants will be notified well in advance if this occurs.
For more schedule information call 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217
Enrollment Cost
$400
Fee includes online instruction and a comprehensive exam.
The textbook is not included in the cost of the program.
Refund Policy
A $25 administrative fee will be charges up to two weeks before the start date.
From two weeks before the class through the day before the state date, a $75 fee will be charged.
On the start date of the class there will be no refund.
To Register
Use the Online Registration Form
Call toll free 1-877-USI-HLTH
(1-877-874-4584)
Instruction Methods
A combination of delivery methods are used to facilitate learner and faculty communication including:
Internet via Blackboard
Provides online instructor-prepared materials and course assignments. Internet resources are used as an integral part of the instruction.
Computer Conferencing
This format allows learners to interact with faculty and other course participants.
Electronic Mail
Allows learners to freely interact on an individual or group level with other learners and faculty.
The primary mode of communication will be through Blackboard, the learning management system utilized by the University. You will however, be required to provide a personal e-mail address. We recommend that you do not use you work e-mail address for taking this course. Many businesses, especially government agencies, utilize security firewalls. Communication from the instructor, the University, or other students may not be possible and important announcements and other communication will be missed. We also, do not recommend you use AOL, for similar reasons. AOL accounts include spam prevention-type filters and our communication with you may be filtered-out.
We recommend you obtain a separate e-mail account for your course work. Yahoo.com and MSN.com offer free e-mail accounts.
Telephone Consultation
Faculty will be available by telephone to assist learners.
Computer Requirements and Suggestions
If using a personal computer, it is recommended that the computer have Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, or Mac OS X. For compatibility, you will want to have access to Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003 with the Compatibility Pack, or Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac, Office 2008 for Mac, or Office 2004 for Mac with the latest updates (visit Office for Mac Updates). In some cases, Office Live may be sufficient. For some course content, you may also need Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and/or Windows Media Player (Flip4Mac WMV Components for QuickTime). Additionally, a broadband Internet connection would be very beneficial; AOL is not recommended. Lastly, if your course uses the Blackboard e-Learning platform, you may wish to verify that you have a compatible web browser.
If your computer is more than 6 years old or does not meet the requirements for running one the above versions of Microsoft Office (Windows system requirements / Mac system requirements), you may want to consider purchasing a new computer.
Faculty
- Cathy Wagner, BSM, RN
Program Development
Sam Burgess, PhD
Christina Coons RN, BSN
Paula Egan RN, BSN
Nance Fiester MS, RN
Alexis Silver
Cathy Wagner, BSM, RN
Rebecca Winsett, PhD, RN
Program Manager
Karen Jones, RNC, MSN
Delivery of Program Content
The program has four modules. Each module includes reading assignments, study questions, case studies, and test questions. Learners interact with practitioners and faculty expert in the area of telehealth. A comprehensive examination will be administered at the end of the four week program.
Why Enroll in an Interactive Internet Program?
The convenience of online instruction allows the participant to "attend" class at any time or day of the week during the four week period. Participants will learn from experts in the area of wound management and have the opportunity to network with other course participants from across the country. Online instruction provides an opportunity for personal interaction with course faculty while learning in the comfort of your own home or office.
Continuing Education Credits
A Continuing Education Certificate will be awarded following successful completion of study guide questions, an online comprehensive examination (with a passing score of 70% or higher), and submission of a course evaluation. Certificates will be mailed approximately 30 days after the completion of the course.
Nurses will receive 24 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana, College of Nursing and Health Professions is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
California nurses will receive 24 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
