Frontiers in Telemedicine
Frontiers in Telemedicine: Core Competencies for Virtual Care is an asynchronous online course offered by the TexLa Telehealth Resource Center in partnership with the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC).
Course Description
This course includes six modules and provides a foundational introduction to telehealth. It aligns with the updated Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Telehealth Competencies, helping participants identify the skills and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality virtual care in any practice setting. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will earn a TTUHSC microcredential virtual badge.
Eligibility
Open to all participants. The course is particularly relevant for health care providers, trainees, and support staff who currently deliver or plan to participate in telehealth services.
Cost
At this time, the course is offered at no cost.
Competency Domains
The course addresses six core telehealth competency domains:
- Patient Safety and Appropriate Use
- Access and Readiness
- Communication
- Information Gathering and Clinical Assessment
- Digital Literacy
- Legal and Ethical Practices
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to apply foundational telehealth competencies to support safe, effective, and patient-centered virtual care, including the ability to:
- Explain to patients and caregivers the uses, benefits, and limitations of telehealth
- Identify when telehealth is appropriate and when escalation to in-person care is needed
- Assess patient and practice readiness for safe virtual encounters and identify barriers that may affect access or participation
- Use effective communication strategies to build rapport, provide clear instructions, and support patient participation in virtual encounters
- Gather relevant clinical information and guide appropriate patient-assisted assessment during a virtual encounter
- Identify required technology and troubleshoot common challenges
- Support patients in effectively using telehealth technologies and digital tools
- Describe key legal, privacy, consent, and ethical considerations associated with telehealth practice
- Identify and address ethical challenges related to privacy and professionalism online