Commentary

Selecting Home Telehealth Staff

*Ten Ingredients for Predicting Success*

RITA KOBB, MS, MN, GNP-BC AND LORRAINE PELLEGRINO, RN, MHA

A growing foundation of literature has been written on home telehealth.
Most of these articles focus on technology acceptance, integration into
practice, and return on investment (Ryan et al., 2003). Little
literature exists addressing the personality traits and technology
skills necessary for practitioners.

-   **What, if anything, has been learned about the characteristics of
    professionals who have implemented successful home telehealth
    applications?**

-   **Do they possess specific attributes that are critical for success
    to be achieved?**

-   **Are these qualities learned or innate?**

Extensive research has been done on personality traits and
characteristics as indicators of successful performance and supports a
relationship between the certain traits in an individual and the
probability of that person's success in the workplace (Kliem & Anderson,
1996; Salgado, 1997). Based on this literature and the experiences of
both the Veterans Health Administration's Community Care Coordination
Service in Florida and the University of California, Davis' Center for
Health and Technology, these 10 ingredients top the list for predicting
successful telehealth clinician performance (Best Practices White Paper,
2002).

1.  **Emotional Stability**: Individuals are well-adjusted and
    emotionally mature to deal with the frustrations and stressors in a
    changing healthcare environment.

2.  **Conscientiou**s: Possess ethical character dominated by a sense of
    what is right and set a high standard of excellence for themselves
    and those around them.

3.  **Confident**: Self-assured and resilient, learn from their
    mistakes, and are highly resourceful.

4.  **Visionary**: Spontaneous risk takers, consistently thinking
    "outside the box".

5.  **High-energy**: Positive thinkers who are energized by challenges
    and motivate those around them through enthusiasm and optimism.

6.  **Intuitive:** Understand the environment around them, can put
    themselves in the "other person's shoes," and place a high value on
    advocacy.

7.  **Team-oriented:** Focused on common goals, realize success is
    measured by what everyone achieves, mentors and coaches for success.

8.  **Charismatic:** Likeable, well respected, and able to define and
    execute a plan through motivating others to see the benefits and
    "the big picture."

9.  **Skilled Communicator:** Effective in all forms of communication by
    actively listening and providing constructive feedback to reduce
    barriers to success.

10. **Problem solver:** A critical thinker who is creative, adaptable,
    and flexible; does whatever is required to obtain the best solution.

> *Rita Kobb, MS, MN, GNP-BC, is the Home Telehealth Special Interest
> Group Chair, American Telemedicine Association (ATA), Lake City, FL
> Lorraine Pellegrino, RN, MHA, is the Home Telehealth Special Interest
> Group Vice-chair, ATA, Sacramento, CA. Address for correspondence:
> Rita Kobb, ATA, 619 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, FL 32025
> (<Rita.kobb@med.va.gov>).*
>
> **REFERENCES**
>
> *Best Practices White Paper*. (2002). Veterans Health Administration,
> Sunshine Network.
>
> Kliem, R., & Anderson, H. (1996). Teambuilding styles and their impact
> on project management results. *Project Management Institute Journal*,
> 27 (1), 41-50.
>
> Ryan, P., Kobb, R., & Hilsen, P. (2003). Making the right connection:
> Matching patients to technology. *Telemedicine Journal and e-Health*,
> 9(1), 81-88.
>
> Salgado, J. (1997). The five-factor model of personality and job
> performance in the European community. *The Journal of Applied
> Psychology*, 82(1), 30-43.
>
> 2005