Telemedicine which also can be known as telehealth, e-health or virtual healthcare is one of newest technology in medical field in which it is the use of medical information in two-way interactive communication from one site to another between the patient and the physician at the distant site via electronic communication in order to improve a patient’s clinical health status. In telemedicine the use of interactive communications includes variety of applications and services such as audio and video equipment, video, email, smart phones, wireless tools and other telecommunications technologies. Telemedicine have been started out over 40 years ago in which they implement the health care services in hospitals extending care to patients in remote …show more content…
During a telemedicine consultation, we usually have a chance to tell the doctor about our medical history and ask questions. In turn, the specialist can ask us questions directly. This telemedicine setup is better than trying to relay information to our doctor or nurse, and then having them relay the message. The specialist can hear the sound of our cough or see our swollen eyes. We can hear firsthand about our diagnosis and treatment options directly. Telemedicine is considered a regular health care service. In most cases, it should be billable to our health care insurance without issue. Through the use of telemedicine it can saves lives through remote consultations, whether urgent or diagnostic. Besides, it will creates more efficient, convenient and potentially more cost effective delivery of care with facilitates earlier and more accurate diagnoses and also it provides greater, and faster, access to a patient’s medical history, reducing the risk of negative drug interactions or poor response to a course of treatment. Telemedicine also allows rural residents to receive expert diagnosis and treatment from distant medical centers and it can increases timeliness of treatment and decreases transfer rates while reducing medical costs through video …show more content…
In the teleneurophysiology model a technologist records bioelectric data from patients at a satellite clinical neurophysiology (CN) clinic. Using a secure network, data is transferred to a central server for storage from where it can be accessed for interpretation by an authorised consultant neurophysiologist at a specialist clinincal neurophysiology (CN) centre. The result of the investigation can then be conveyed to the referring clinician. In keeping with the European Commission's definition of telemedicine this model of service delivery can result in rapid access to shared and remote clinical neurophysiology (CN) expertise by means of telecommunications and information technologies, no matter where the patient, clinician or relevant information is geographically
The economic impact of telehealth is a critical factor to examine when looking at the feasibility of incorporating such technologies into practice. Exploration of economics is also essential as it has been posited that telehealth has the potential to deliver care to individuals that is cost saving in nature (Wade, Karnon, Elshaug, & Hiller, 2010). Furthermore, the estimated expenditure on telehealth services and technology is expected to reach into the billions of dollars (Berger, 2010). However, there are myriad individual elements that may be considered in the broad subject of economics, which complicates determining the economic impact in a parsimonious way (Bergmo, 2009; Wade, et al., 2010).
[20]Charles BL. (2000) Telemedicine can lower costs and improve access. Healthcare Financial Management. 54(4): 66.
“Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve patients’ health status” (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2013, p. 156.)
Telehealth is the monitoring via remote exchange of physiological data between a patient at home and health care professionals at hospitals or clinics to assist with diagnosis and treatment. As our society ages and health care costs increase, government and private insurance payers are seeking technological interventions. Technological solutions may provide high quality healthcare services at a distance, utilize professional resources more effectively, and enable elderly and ill patients to remain in their own homes. Patients may experience decreased hospitalization and urgent care settings, and out of home care may not be required as the patient is monitored at home. However, no study has been able to prove telehealth benefits conclusively. This change in health care delivery presents new ethical concerns, and new relationship boundaries between health care professionals, patients, and family members. This paper will discuss telehealth benefits in specific patient populations, costs benefits of using telehealth, and concerns of using telehealth.
The purpose of telemedicine is to remove distance as a barrier to health care. While telehealth is an accepted resource to bridge the gap between local and global health care, integrating telehealth into existing health infrastructures presents a challenge for both governments and policy makers (HRSA, 2011). Today there are policy barriers that prevent the expansion of telehealth, including reimbursement issues raised by Medicare and private payers, state licensure, and liability and privacy concerns.
Bowles, K., Holland, D., & Horowitz, D. (2009). A comparison of in-person home care, home care with telephone contact and home care with telemonitoring for disease management. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, (15), 344-350. doi: 10.1258/jtt.2009.090118
It is widely recognized that mental illness affects a significant proportion of the population; however, it is complicated to determine exact numbers. This problem can be attributed to such issues as the changing definitions of mental illness as well as difficulties in classifying, diagnosing, and reporting mental disorders. Limitations to adequate mental health services including social stigma, cultural incompatibility between patients and providers, language barriers, lack of insurance and logistical barriers. In addition, significant differences in socioeconomic status, lifestyle behaviors, and access to care have resulted in health disparities between rural and urban communities (Institute of Medicine, 2004). According to Sulzbacher et al., many families who live in rural areas do not have the financial, social or psychological resources, to travel to distant urban centers to obtain adequate care particularly for a chronic mental health problem. There is also evidence to suggest that mental illness in rural areas is as nearly as high as among people in metropolitan areas. However, the accessibility of mental health services and professionals in rural areas is extremely low compared to major cities and metropolitan areas. Such barriers can impede the diagnosing, treating and reporting of mental illnesses and have also been instrumental in developing and improving telepsychiatry and e-mental health models.
We at Capstone Health Consultants are pleased to provide the Board of Directors of Utopia University Medical Center our recommendations regarding design, development, and deployment of a multi-disciplinary Telemedicine program for outlying clinics.
“Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status” (American Telemedicine Association, 2013). Telemedicine is the use of technology such as email, mobile devices, and computers to communicate health information (Mayoclinic.com, 2014). Telemedicine has enabled the use of communication technologies by healthcare professionals for the evaluation, diagnose, and the treatment of patients in rural areas (GlobalMed.com, 2014). Telemedicine is used in a variety of health care services like primary care, patients monitoring, health information sharing, health education (America Telemedicine Association, 2013). These services are delivered using various mechanisms such as video conferencing, personal health apps, e-visits (Mayoclinic.com, 2014). These technologies have been proven to increase access, to be cost efficient, to improve quality, and intensify patients’ satisfaction according to the America Telemedicine Association.
Among the main aims of health care reform and improvement is expanding healthcare access to different populations, which have been subjects to underserving for a long period. These include the poor, the previously uncovered, rural societies, and the minorities, to mention just a few. Great challenges definitely lie ahead, since several individuals start seeking access to the primary healthcare clinicians (Arnaert & Delesie, 2001). Telenursing assures to be a crucial tool to meet such needs. It refers to making use of the telehealth technology in conducting nursing practice and delivering nursing care. Because of the quick telemedicine technology adoption within the healthcare institutions, telenursing emerges as a fresh tool that provokes discussions
Telehealth definition according to our textbook by Hebda, T., & Czar, P., 2013 is the use of telecommunications technologies and electronic information to exchange healthcare information and to provide and support services such as long-distance clinical healthcare to clients. It provides health care to patients that may not be able to have access to care. Telehealth requires a patient to have electronic tools to facilitate this type of service. Electronic tools can be a telephone, computer, or a video camera. The patient is able to call or enable video conferencing to have access to their health care provider. Telehealth allows the patient to have access to preventative care and education on their disease process and how to manage it at home.
Telemedicine is a new comer to the field of medicine and it is the treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. Telemedicine is carried out in a variety of ways whether it is by smart phone, wireless tools or other forms of telecommunications. Examples of telemedicine include: 1) transmission of medical images 2) care services at the home of the patient 3) Diagnosis at distance 4) education and training of patients. The diversity of practices in what is known as telemedicine raises many questions and one of those questions, which is extremely important, relate to the safety of the practice and the risks involved.
Telehealth allows a lower-level healthcare practitioner to communicate with a physician or specialist when necessary. Remote rural areas use a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner on location in remote areas. When procedures call for a physician, an internet or satellite link provides a teleconference with a physician who can prescribe appropriate treatment (Gangon, Duplantie, Fortin & Landry 2006). This could be implemented in lower income urban areas, allowing free clinics to lower costs, and require fewer physicians. Programs that increase the level of healthcare available to school children could be increased.
From state and federal levels, the healthcare industry has come a very long way, experiencing changes along the way. The development of advanced technology that has enhanced the quality of healthcare delivery systems will help all patients to be able to benefit. Doctors are able to access patient records at a faster rate and respond to their patients in a much more timely fashion. E-mail, electronic transfer of records and telemedicine will give all patients and physicians the tools needed to be more efficient, deliver quality care and deliver quality telecommunication at a faster pace than before.
Imagine the ability to obtain healthcare services from almost anywhere in the world where you have access to a phone or computer. Now, imagine being able to provide nursing assessments, diagnosis, treatments, and recommendations to your patients from your home to almost anywhere in the world. Lauren Stokowski (2008) noted in her article that one fourth of the United States has rural residents. That number may appear small in comparison to the urban residences; however, rural residents have a tendency to to have “higher poverty rates, larger percentage of elderly, and tend to be in poorer health”. Could telenursing be a solution?