Examining Telehealth Modalities and Consultation Interventions in Palliative Care: Outcomes From an Innovative Rapid Palliative Care Inreach Division (RAPID) Program

BackgroundPalliative care patients undergoing transitions between hospital and home settings encounter significant challenges, necessitating specialised support services. The Rapid Palliative Care Inreach Division (RAPID) program was implemented to facilitate this transition utilising telehealth services.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the use of telehealth modalities and their association with consultation interventions within the RAPID program.DesignA retrospective clinical audit was conducted using electronic medical record data from patients seen by the RAPID palliative care service.Setting/SubjectsThe study took place in Australia, across a metropolitan health service. Data were collected from all patients referred to the RAPID program between October 2020 and March 2022, including those discharged home from inpatient palliative care or admitted under Hospital in the Home (HITH).MeasurementsData included patient demographics, Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) phase at each consultation, consultation modality (telephone, video, or in person), and intervention type (e.g. medication changes, education, referrals).ResultsA total of 201 patients received 722 consultations: 76.18% by telephone, 18.56% by video, and 5.26% in person. Patients from non-English speaking backgrounds more frequently received video and in-person reviews. Video consultations were associated with higher intervention rates, particularly in Stable and Deteriorating phases. Patients under HITH had longer service involvement and more interventions than community-discharged patients.ConclusionsThe RAPID program highlights the role of tailored telehealth in transitional palliative care. Video consultations were linked to more frequent interventions, suggesting a potential clinical benefit that warrants further research into patient-centred outcomes and optimal modality use.