A few tips will help measure the need for telemedicine when penning proposals:

Information is GOLDEN

First, scour the Internet (Census.gov and HRSA.gov) for information about your targeted geographic region to uncover demographic themes that build evidence toward your need. Typical topics include:

•       Population (age, race, gender, etc.)
•       Rural / Urban status
•       Poverty levels
•       Medically underserved areas
•       Health professional shortage areas (primary, mental, and dental)

Next, refine your search for health statistics relevant to the target population to establish why telemedicine is needed.  Typical topics include:

•       Disease-specific prevalence
•       Mortality rates (infant,  early, race- or gender-specific, disease-specific)
•       Insured / uninsured rates
•       Health disparities

Your state health department will have much of this data, but if not, a Google search will help identify other solid sources.

Collect Unique Information

For folks with lead time, an online or hand-administered survey can gather data not available elsewhere, yielding unique, personalized results amongst your target population, which can build a strong case for telemedicine funding.  Your prospective telemedicine sites can offer the perfect forum for distributing and administering the survey.

Above all, overwhelm your reviewer with well-conceived and connected facts. Present your data in visually pleasing charts, maps, graphs, or tables, which saves space in your proposal and allows the reviewer to quickly assess your situation.

The post How to Get (Almost) Free Money for a Telehealth Program (part two) appeared first on LearnTelehealth.

Ask yourself: Do I have a clearly defined programmatic idea that addresses a dire need in my region, aligns all the necessary partners and expertise, and recognizes what is needed to bring the program to life, while also sustaining its life? If so, you’re ready to pursue grants and contracts.

Federal grants are perhaps easiest to find, as Grants.gov allows you to search open opportunities or subscribe to daily alerts chronicling federal funding opportunities as they are announced.

• search beyond “telehealth” or related keywords.
• look for non-traditional opportunities
• think outside of the box

Reading announcements for any mention of innovative healthcare or educational delivery modalities may reveal non-traditional opportunities where your proposal can stand out as unique. In most cases, “thinking outside of the box” will excite grant reviewers.

Foundations may assist in providing seed or expansion money for Telehealth programs.  Search Google or your regional newspaper for local philanthropists and foundations that may benefit from a compassionate request.  These funders require special care, so be aware the human element greatly impacts your capacity to secure funding.

Contracts are essential in funding Telehealth programs.  Ask yourself what agency stands    to benefit most, and then open a dialogue about a potential contract partnership.

(part one)

by: Rachel Ott

The post How to Get (Almost) Free Money for a Telehealth Program (part one) appeared first on LearnTelehealth.