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

Purpose

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

Methods

Thirty-four clinicians, administrators, and staff across the pediatric and cardiology 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 (44-75%) and revenues (21-47%) at both clinics following virtual care expansion. Monthly telehealth visits per provider exponentially rose over 450% across sites. Qualitatively, 83% of providers appreciated scheduling flexibility benefits, but 68% of staff cited workflow disruptions. Interpretatively, findings demonstrated catalyzed financial and productivity transformations and nuanced perceived disruption amid pronounced appointment capacity expansions.

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.