A complete guide to telemedicine - Everything you should know

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a new way to provide health support to patients through technological capabilities such as mobile phones, computers, or tablets. Telemedicine enables healthcare practitioners to meet with patients via audio call, video call, email, text, or tracking applications. In the past couple of years, it has become increasingly clear that we face uncertain times, and healthcare needs are constant despite these changes. Health services are an integral part of our society, and as practitioners, we continue to struggle to support this increased demand. Therefore one of the best solutions for a large majority of the healthcare community is telemedicine.

Who uses telemedicine?

Telemedicine is used by healthcare workers in a range of capacities. The ongoing creation of new technology that is useful in healthcare presents a range of new opportunities. In addition to this, it also creates more things to consider and challenges to overcome. With the development of new software and technology and a vastly increased population of healthcare workers using telemedicine in their practice, guidelines are imperative to ensure practitioners can seamlessly manage this transition. We have created this article to do many important things, but most importantly; 

• Educate healthcare workers around adopting new software
• Help healthcare workers choose to implement technology 
• Provide hints and tips

How does telemedicine work?

Telemedicine works by enabling healthcare practitioners to access their patients through different platforms other than in person, examples of this being a patient portal or a tool for virtual appointments. Telemedicine provides many benefits and not just for the practitioner or your office staff. Many practitioners also report a significant improvement in patient engagement, especially in specific demographics that have struggled with attendance or no-shows in the past.

Wait times are another area that has benefited exponentially within medical practices, with scheduling software solutions providing practitioners a way to manage their availability proactively. Telemedicine reduces travel times and no-shows; it enables connectivity between patient and practitioner and is an excellent choice for any healthcare worker!

History of Telemedicine vs How it is today 

Telemedicine today looks very different from how it did years ago. In fact, telemedicine initially started out as telecommunications technology in the late 19th century and involved communicating via electromagnetic signals. If this sounds fancy, you’ll be surprised to know that this just means mediums such as the telegraph, radio, and the telephone. Fast forward to the early 20th century, these technologies began to be applied to the field of medicine. 

The original goal was to be able to reach patients living in remote or isolated areas, however, with rising shortage numbers and health industry strains, telecommunication morphed into the telemedicine we know today. By using telemedicine, the U.S government and staff could raise clinical outcomes without compromise. The 1960s brought about large investments into the Health and Human Sciences Department, which saw revolutionary discoveries and innovative research that integrated both technology and medicine. 

Nowadays, several hundred research companies, universities, and medical centers dedicate specific areas of research and staff to conducting telemedicine studies and sessions for client benefit. Many mobile health apps are in use and are also being continually developed so clients can access care from the comfort of their own homes. Using various tracking devices, patients can also take vitals and monitor changing levels (such as glucose) with no effort at all.

Pros and cons of using telemedicine for healthcare practitioners

Using telemedicine is one of the best ways to elevate the quality and status of your healthcare practice, due to the following pros:

• High convenience - As briefly touched on, telemedicine serves as a great way to provide access to those who live in isolated areas, and who may not be able to commute to in-person appointments. It works to break down physical barriers and provide quality care to clients from anywhere in the world. 
• Increases engagement - Telemedicine means clients can connect with practitioners more often, which always contributes to greater professional relationships. 
• Reduces costs - Telemedicine eliminates overhead costs and can save money for clients by cutting out commute prices. Patients can avoid unnecessary doctor visits, and be much more efficient. 
• Better clinical outcomes - With telemedicine, practitioners can implement closer monitoring systems, with follow-ups becoming much more efficient during video chats and consultations. 

Whilst telemedicine inevitably provides benefits, it’s also important to note that there are some cons to bear in mind. Doing so allows you to be better prepared for what might come your way. 

• Technical training - Because telemedicine deals with technology and virtual platforms, it might take a bit to get used to. Although, with practice, you can quickly pick it up, regardless of your technical skill. Most platforms are designed for anyone to use, old and young, technologically inclined and otherwise. 
• Reduced in-person interactions - Nothing can quite replace in-person interactions, with many patients still preferring this model over online sessions.
• Changing policies - You need to be HIPAA compliant, and we won’t lie - navigating this can be tricky when policies can change month to month!

Applications of telemedicine service

Telemedicine can be used for a variety of different healthcare services, which makes it a highly flexible and adaptable option for healthcare practices. Different specialties will have their own unique uses for telemedicine and can use it in several ways. 

For example, a sleep specialist may use sleep-tracking health apps to monitor a patient’s sleep cycle and help alleviate their insomnia. Psychiatrists and psychologists can use telemedicine to assess a patient’s well-being and help curate coping strategies and plans to improve their condition. A gynecologist can also provide birth control counseling via video consultations or messaging services. The list is endless, and there is no limit to what a healthcare practitioner chooses to do with the resources they have and the goals that need to be met. 

Some other conditions that telemedicine can work to treat and assess include the following:

• Common colds and flu
• Infections
• Allergies
• Rashes
• Sore throats
• UTIs
• Rashes
• Asthma
• Vomiting
• Sports injuries

What are the 3 main types of telemedicine services

Although you’re likely thinking of a Zoom call when it comes to telemedicine, you may be surprised to discover that there are a variety of types of telemedicine types. This includes the following. 

Store-and-forward telemedicine

Commonly referred to as asynchronous telemedicine, this type allows healthcare practitioners to share important medical information and data with fellow external providers. This can involve sending lab results, images, and medical records through email, or exchanging details on a phone call. Data can be exchanged at any point in time, with this service being especially beneficial for interprofessional medical services. If a provider needs to outsource diagnoses (such as sharing x-rays to a specialist), this type of telemedicine can provide exceptional benefit. It increases clinical outcomes, lowers wait times, and promotes faster and more accurate diagnoses. 

Remote monitoring

Telemedicine can track patients' vital signs effectively, and monitor those who are at risk with minimal effort. Commonly referred to as home telehealth or telemonitoring, remote patient monitoring allows clients to track their own levels (such as a diabetic tracking glucose) and flag abnormal results automatically. Data can be transmitted to healthcare practitioners with little difficulty. It’s a great way to track health using wearable devices, and with accessible tools. 

Real-time telehealth

As the opposite of store-and-forward, real-time telehealth is known as synchronous telemedicine and requires a live interaction between healthcare practitioners and their patients. This can be through either audio or video communication and can be a viable alternative to in-person appointments. Patients can be seen from the comfort of their homes, and all you need is a camera and a microphone.

Guidelines and regulations to abide by while using Telemedicine

Because telemedicine involves technology and virtual services, there are some special guidelines and regulations that you must follow in order to avoid costly charges. 

Firstly, you need to be aware of the American Telemedicine Association (AMA), which has collated guidelines that cater to all specialties. These are technical, clinical, and administrative standards that must be followed in order to correctly adopt telemedicine services, and based on over 600 studies, the AMA has extensive expertise in this area. They’re on your side, and implementing their protocols can ensure that you’re correctly adopting the right care. For example, telemedicine shouldn’t be used in any case of medical emergencies, or where an in-person exam is required. This is in cases of very severe symptoms, or where aggressive interventions are needed. 

You must also follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPA_, which covers all the privacy standards you must adhere to. HIPAA ensures that client information is protected and that you’re able to safeguard all your business and health data from potential breaches, without compromising confidentiality. Failing to comply can result in charges from anywhere from $50 to $1.5million.

Things you need to start while using telemedicine

There are a couple of things that you’ll need in order to implement telemedicine within your clinic. Fortunately, there’s nothing too extensive (or expensive) required!

• Microphone - Make sure your microphone can pick up on anything you say, as muffled sound can be intensely frustrating to deal with! It can be helpful to test this out before jumping straight into a session with a client - and most microphone software should have this function.
• Good wi-fi - You will, of course, require a strong internet connection. Fiber solutions are excellent because they provide fast broadband and can handle all Zoom calls quickly. It’s a reliable option and can provide you with peace of mind when it comes to connecting with clients. 
• Additional power sources - In the unlikely event that your power goes out, ensure that you have an alternate power source so that your session doesn’t end abruptly. Unforeseen situations do occur, and it is best to be prepared for them.‍
• Camera - A high-resolution video camera is required if you offer video consultations, as the client will get more out of a session by being able to attach a face to a voice. The more megapixels and frame rates there are, the better quality.

What features of telemedicine does a practice management software provide

Practice management platforms are the best way to access and conduct telemedicine as they provide a myriad of valuable features for you to use. Some of the best software, including Carepatron, will include the following:

• Video consultations - You can video call your clients, no matter where you are. At any time and place (including in the comfort of your own home), you can connect with your patients and deliver high-quality care. This can be for urgent or primary care, as well as any follow-up consultations. With close-up abilities, you can assess lab results, as well as other important medical data. 
• Messaging services - In the case that you’re not a video fan, you can also discuss information with patients through email and messaging services. This can be useful for answering any queries, questions, or concerns, as well as sending reminders or important documents. 
• Online payments - You can also make online payments right then and there through an online portal. It’s HIPAA compliant (so all your data is protected through encryption), and complete intakes and billing notes in one place. It’s highly convenient, with a variety of different payment methods available too.

Common terminologies used in telemedicine

When new to the telemedicine realm, it can be a bit overwhelming at first to wrap your head around the medical lingo, and what it all means. Luckily, we’re here to help! You’ve probably heard of many of these terms before, and they’re pretty straightforward once you have them under your belt. 

• Telemedicine - Using telecommunications technology for clinical services
• Telehealth - Sometimes interchangeable with telemedicine, telehealth focuses on health services, whereas telemedicine concerns clinical services.
• Distant site - Physician’s site of the location at the time of the service provision
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) - The storage, retrieval, and modification of patient records
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) - Collection of broad patient data that can be shared across health settings. This commonly refers to billing details, medical history, vital signs, and others. 
• Encryption - The encoding of data where only authorized users can access the information
• HIPAA - the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act that outlines standards for handling, protecting, and storing confidential patient information 
• Originating site - Known as the patient site, this is the patient’s location of when they receive telemedicine service
• Remote monitoring - Using digital medical devices to transfer real-time data to practitioners‍
• Video conferencing - Transmitting real-time digital video images across locations