Telehealth, A short story of how health met technology

It has become a fact never in doubt that technology and internet have changed the world from what we used to know. It has impacted how we relate, how we interact, when we interact and the general methods of our daily activities.

One of the fields that have experienced the greatest impact of technological revolution is the health sector hence we tell the full story of technology and health titled TELEHEALTH.

What is Telehealth?

Simply stated, this involves the use or technology to render service and medical care to patients. it Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. Technologies can include computers and mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. This may be technology you use from home. Or a nurse or other health care professional may provide telehealth from a medical office or mobile van, such as in rural areas. Telehealth can also be technology that your health care provider uses to improve or support health care services.

Most times, the term telehealth and telemedicine are used interchangeably but telehealth has a broader coverage beyond telemedicine, it is true to say that telemedicine is one of the components of telehealth. Where telemedicine refers specifically to the practice of medicine via remote means, telehealth is a blanket term that covers all components and activities of healthcare and the healthcare system that are conducted through telecommunications technology. Healthcare education, wearable devices that record and transmit vital signs, and provider-to-provider remote communication are examples of telehealth activities and applications that extend beyond remote clinical care.

The origin of telehealth can be traced from the many innovations of technology The Internet Transforms Telemedicine As we are all aware, the internet changed everything.

The speed with which humans could communicate and transfer information was revolutionary.

In the case of telehealth, the internet was essentially the technological breakthrough it had been waiting for.

Scientists and medical experts had more opportunity, and more dynamic tools, to conduct remote treatment.

The internet unlocked a new frontier for telehealth, due to factors such as:

• Digital tech made the efficient transmission of large quantities of data over long distances possible. As a result, telemedicine’s speed and scope was forever enhanced.
• The digitization of information made sending, receiving, managing and storing data much easier.
• The internet’s widespread adoption in all personal and professional settings led to substantial cost savings for the digital technology needed to deliver telemedicine.

Telemedicine has been consistently improved and refined over the last few decades, but powerful digital technology is still the foundation of our telehealth operations today.

The goals of telehealth, sometimes called e-health or m-health (mobile health), include the following:

• Make health care easier to get for people who live in communities that are remote or in the country.
• Keep you and others safe if you have an infectious disease such as COVID-19.
• Offer primary care for many conditions.
• Make services more easily offered or handy for people who have limited ability to move, time or transportation.
• Offer access to medical specialists.
• Improve communication and coordination of care among health care team members and a person getting care.
• Offer advice for self-management of health care.

Many people found telehealth helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic and still use it. Telehealth is being used more often.

Here are many examples of telehealth services that may be helpful for your health care.

Virtual visits

Some clinics may use telemedicine to offer remote care. For example, clinics may offer virtual visits. These can allow you to see a health care provider, mental health counselor or a nurse via online video or phone chats.

Virtual visits can offer care in many conditions such as migraines, skin conditions, diabetes, depression, anxiety, colds, coughs and COVID-19. These visits allow you to get care from a provider when you don't need or can't get an in-person visit.

Before your visit, your health care team may send you information or forms to fill out online and return to them. They may also make sure you have the technology you need. They'll check to see if you need to update or install any software or apps too. And they can tell you how to sign on and join the video chat for your visit. Also, the health care team can explain how to use the microphone, camera and text chat. If needed, ask a family member to help you set up the technology you need.

You only need a smartphone, tablet or computer with internet access to join the virtual visit. You can find a comfortable, quiet, private spot to sit during your visit. Your provider also meets from a private place.

Other options

Some people may use web or phone-based services for medical care or advice. When you log into a web-based service or call a service that offers primary or urgent care, you're guided through many questions. The provider or nurse practitioner can prescribe drugs. Or they may suggest home care tips or more medical care.

While these services are handy, they have drawbacks:

• Treatment may not be coordinated with your regular provider.
• Important details from your medical history may not be considered.
• The computer-driven model used to make decisions may not be right for you if you have a complex medical history.
• The service doesn't easily allow for you to make decisions with your provider about treatments.

Remote monitoring

Many technologies allow your provider or health care team to check your health remotely. These technologies include:

• Web-based or mobile apps for uploading data to your provider or health care team. For example, if you have diabetes, you may upload food logs, blood sugar levels and drugs that a nurse checks.
• Devices that measure and wirelessly send data, such as blood pressure, blood sugar and oxygen levels.
• Wearable devices that automatically record and send data. For example, the devices may record data such as heart rate, blood sugar, how you walk, your posture, tremors, physical activity or your sleep.
• Home monitoring devices for older people or people with dementia that can find changes in daily activities such as falls.
• Devices that send notifications to remind you to do exercises or take drugs.

Providers talking to providers

Providers can also use technology to give people better care. For example, in a virtual consultation, primary care providers can get input from specialists in other locations when they have questions about your diagnosis or treatment.

The primary care provider sends exam notes, history, test results, X-rays or other images to the specialist to review. The specialist may answer by email. Or they may do a virtual visit with you at your provider's office. They may also ask for a face-to-face meeting.

In some cases, a nurse or other health care professional may use technology to provide care from a medical office, clinic or mobile van in a rural area. They may call a specialist or provider at a medical clinic to do a remote consult.

These virtual consultations may prevent unnecessary in-person referrals to a specialist. They may also cut wait times for you to see a specialist. And they may remove the need for you to travel to a specialist.

Patient portal

Your primary care clinic may have an online patient portal. These portals offer a safer way of contacting your provider instead of email. A portal provides a safe online tool to do the following:

• Message your provider or a nurse.
• Ask for prescription refills.
• Review test results and summaries of earlier visits.
• Schedule visits or ask for appointment reminders for preventive care.

If your provider is in a large health care system, the portal may also provide one point of contact for any specialists you may see.

Personal health apps

Many apps have been made to help people better organize their medical information in one secure place. These digital tools may help you:

• Store personal health information.
• Record vital signs.
• Calculate and track your calories.
• Schedule reminders for taking drugs.
• Record physical activity such as your daily step count.

Personal health records

An electronic personal health record system (PHR system) is a collection of information about your health that you control and maintain. A PHR app is easy for you to see anytime via a web-enabled device, such as your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. A PHR also allows you to review your lab results, X-rays and notes from your provider. Your provider may give this to other providers with permission.

In an emergency, a personal health record can quickly give emergency staff vital information. For example, it can show your current conditions, drugs, drug allergies and your provider's contact details.

The potential of telehealth

Technology has the potential to improve the quality of health care. And technology can make it easier for more people to get health care.

Telehealth may offer ways to make health care more efficient, better coordinated and closer to home. You can go to a virtual visit anywhere — such as at home or in your car. And you don't need to travel to go to a virtual visit.

Telehealth can be useful so you can stay home if you're sick or if it's hard for you to travel. And you can use telehealth if you live far from a medical center. And many people have been able to keep distance from others at home and still receive care during the COVID-19 pandemic. And providers can diagnose and treat COVID-19 remotely.

Virtual visits can also provide you with the choice to meet with specialists who don't live where you do.

Telehealth Technology

Several technologies are being deployed for telehealth including m-Health (or mobile health), video and audio technologies, digital photography, remote patient monitoring (RPM), and store and forward technologies.

mHealth—Using Smartphones and Tablets for Telehealth

Today, 95 percent of Americans own cell phones and 77 percent own smartphones. These and other mobile devices can be leveraged to promote better health outcomes and increased access to care. mHealth or mobile health refers to healthcare applications and programs patients use on their smartphones, tablets, or laptops. These applications allow patients to track health measurements, set medication and appointment reminders, and share information with clinicians. Users can access hundreds of mHealth applications including asthma and diabetes management tools as well as weight loss or smoking cessation apps. Additionally, mobile devices allow users to schedule appointments and communicate with providers via video conference and text message.

Wyoming Medicaid conducted a study measuring engagement and post-birth outcomes for patients  who used a mobile health app called, “Due Date Plus.” Use of the app, which allowed women to record pregnancy milestones, access medical services, and find symptom-related information was associated with increased compliance with prenatal care and decreased occurrence of babies born with low birth weights.

Video Conferencing, Video-Scopes, and High-Resolution Cameras in Telehealth

Clinicians are conquering distance and providing access to patients who are not able to travel by providing appointments utilizing real-time video communication platforms. Video conferencing technology has been utilized to provide care for inmates, military personnel, and patients located in rural locations for some time. Also, suppliers of both care and financing such as Kaiser Permanente, the Defense Department, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have been exploiting telehealth modalities to increase access to healthcare services and promote better care quality. In another example, S.C. Department of Corrections and the Medical University of South Carolina are using video scopes and high-resolution cameras to diagnose and treat inmates remotely. They are also conducting virtual appointments using video/audio communication applications to reduce prisoner transportation costs and increase safety by keeping inmates in and providers out of correctional facilities.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Remote Patient Monitoring involves the reporting, collection, transmission, and evaluation of patient health data through electronic devices such as wearables, mobile devices, smartphone apps, and internet-enabled computers. RPM technologies remind patients to weigh themselves and transmit the measurements to their physicians. Wearables and other electronic monitoring devices are being used to collect and transfer vital sign data including blood pressures, cardiac stats, oxygen levels, and respiratory rates.

Telehealth offers numerous benefits to the Health workers which include reduced overhead expenses, additional revenue stream, less exposure to illness and infections and also patients’ satisfaction. Also patients have their own share of these benefits offered by this awesome tech such as lower cost, access to care, convenience and the slowing of infection.

The summary remains that technology has infiltrated the health sector and in the nearest future it will offer more possibilities than the ones we see at present.

Be the first to leave a comment below

Telehealth, A short story of how health met technology

It has become a fact never in doubt that technology and internet have changed the world from what we used to know. It has impacted how we relate, how we interact, when we interact and the general methods of our daily activities.

One of the fields that have experienced the greatest impact of technological revolution is the health sector hence we tell the full story of technology and health titled TELEHEALTH.

What is Telehealth?

Simply stated, this involves the use or technology to render service and medical care to patients. it Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. Technologies can include computers and mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. This may be technology you use from home. Or a nurse or other health care professional may provide telehealth from a medical office or mobile van, such as in rural areas. Telehealth can also be technology that your health care provider uses to improve or support health care services.

Most times, the term telehealth and telemedicine are used interchangeably but telehealth has a broader coverage beyond telemedicine, it is true to say that telemedicine is one of the components of telehealth. Where telemedicine refers specifically to the practice of medicine via remote means, telehealth is a blanket term that covers all components and activities of healthcare and the healthcare system that are conducted through telecommunications technology. Healthcare education, wearable devices that record and transmit vital signs, and provider-to-provider remote communication are examples of telehealth activities and applications that extend beyond remote clinical care.

The origin of telehealth can be traced from the many innovations of technology The Internet Transforms Telemedicine As we are all aware, the internet changed everything.

The speed with which humans could communicate and transfer information was revolutionary.

In the case of telehealth, the internet was essentially the technological breakthrough it had been waiting for.

Scientists and medical experts had more opportunity, and more dynamic tools, to conduct remote treatment.

The internet unlocked a new frontier for telehealth, due to factors such as:

• Digital tech made the efficient transmission of large quantities of data over long distances possible. As a result, telemedicine’s speed and scope was forever enhanced.
• The digitization of information made sending, receiving, managing and storing data much easier.
• The internet’s widespread adoption in all personal and professional settings led to substantial cost savings for the digital technology needed to deliver telemedicine.

Telemedicine has been consistently improved and refined over the last few decades, but powerful digital technology is still the foundation of our telehealth operations today.

The goals of telehealth, sometimes called e-health or m-health (mobile health), include the following:

• Make health care easier to get for people who live in communities that are remote or in the country.
• Keep you and others safe if you have an infectious disease such as COVID-19.
• Offer primary care for many conditions.
• Make services more easily offered or handy for people who have limited ability to move, time or transportation.
• Offer access to medical specialists.
• Improve communication and coordination of care among health care team members and a person getting care.
• Offer advice for self-management of health care.

Many people found telehealth helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic and still use it. Telehealth is being used more often.

Here are many examples of telehealth services that may be helpful for your health care.

Virtual visits

Some clinics may use telemedicine to offer remote care. For example, clinics may offer virtual visits. These can allow you to see a health care provider, mental health counselor or a nurse via online video or phone chats.

Virtual visits can offer care in many conditions such as migraines, skin conditions, diabetes, depression, anxiety, colds, coughs and COVID-19. These visits allow you to get care from a provider when you don't need or can't get an in-person visit.

Before your visit, your health care team may send you information or forms to fill out online and return to them. They may also make sure you have the technology you need. They'll check to see if you need to update or install any software or apps too. And they can tell you how to sign on and join the video chat for your visit. Also, the health care team can explain how to use the microphone, camera and text chat. If needed, ask a family member to help you set up the technology you need.

You only need a smartphone, tablet or computer with internet access to join the virtual visit. You can find a comfortable, quiet, private spot to sit during your visit. Your provider also meets from a private place.

Other options

Some people may use web or phone-based services for medical care or advice. When you log into a web-based service or call a service that offers primary or urgent care, you're guided through many questions. The provider or nurse practitioner can prescribe drugs. Or they may suggest home care tips or more medical care.

While these services are handy, they have drawbacks:

• Treatment may not be coordinated with your regular provider.
• Important details from your medical history may not be considered.
• The computer-driven model used to make decisions may not be right for you if you have a complex medical history.
• The service doesn't easily allow for you to make decisions with your provider about treatments.

Remote monitoring

Many technologies allow your provider or health care team to check your health remotely. These technologies include:

• Web-based or mobile apps for uploading data to your provider or health care team. For example, if you have diabetes, you may upload food logs, blood sugar levels and drugs that a nurse checks.
• Devices that measure and wirelessly send data, such as blood pressure, blood sugar and oxygen levels.
• Wearable devices that automatically record and send data. For example, the devices may record data such as heart rate, blood sugar, how you walk, your posture, tremors, physical activity or your sleep.
• Home monitoring devices for older people or people with dementia that can find changes in daily activities such as falls.
• Devices that send notifications to remind you to do exercises or take drugs.

Providers talking to providers

Providers can also use technology to give people better care. For example, in a virtual consultation, primary care providers can get input from specialists in other locations when they have questions about your diagnosis or treatment.

The primary care provider sends exam notes, history, test results, X-rays or other images to the specialist to review. The specialist may answer by email. Or they may do a virtual visit with you at your provider's office. They may also ask for a face-to-face meeting.

In some cases, a nurse or other health care professional may use technology to provide care from a medical office, clinic or mobile van in a rural area. They may call a specialist or provider at a medical clinic to do a remote consult.

These virtual consultations may prevent unnecessary in-person referrals to a specialist. They may also cut wait times for you to see a specialist. And they may remove the need for you to travel to a specialist.

Patient portal

Your primary care clinic may have an online patient portal. These portals offer a safer way of contacting your provider instead of email. A portal provides a safe online tool to do the following:

• Message your provider or a nurse.
• Ask for prescription refills.
• Review test results and summaries of earlier visits.
• Schedule visits or ask for appointment reminders for preventive care.

If your provider is in a large health care system, the portal may also provide one point of contact for any specialists you may see.

Personal health apps

Many apps have been made to help people better organize their medical information in one secure place. These digital tools may help you:

• Store personal health information.
• Record vital signs.
• Calculate and track your calories.
• Schedule reminders for taking drugs.
• Record physical activity such as your daily step count.

Personal health records

An electronic personal health record system (PHR system) is a collection of information about your health that you control and maintain. A PHR app is easy for you to see anytime via a web-enabled device, such as your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. A PHR also allows you to review your lab results, X-rays and notes from your provider. Your provider may give this to other providers with permission.

In an emergency, a personal health record can quickly give emergency staff vital information. For example, it can show your current conditions, drugs, drug allergies and your provider's contact details.

The potential of telehealth

Technology has the potential to improve the quality of health care. And technology can make it easier for more people to get health care.

Telehealth may offer ways to make health care more efficient, better coordinated and closer to home. You can go to a virtual visit anywhere — such as at home or in your car. And you don't need to travel to go to a virtual visit.

Telehealth can be useful so you can stay home if you're sick or if it's hard for you to travel. And you can use telehealth if you live far from a medical center. And many people have been able to keep distance from others at home and still receive care during the COVID-19 pandemic. And providers can diagnose and treat COVID-19 remotely.

Virtual visits can also provide you with the choice to meet with specialists who don't live where you do.

Telehealth Technology

Several technologies are being deployed for telehealth including m-Health (or mobile health), video and audio technologies, digital photography, remote patient monitoring (RPM), and store and forward technologies.

mHealth—Using Smartphones and Tablets for Telehealth

Today, 95 percent of Americans own cell phones and 77 percent own smartphones. These and other mobile devices can be leveraged to promote better health outcomes and increased access to care. mHealth or mobile health refers to healthcare applications and programs patients use on their smartphones, tablets, or laptops. These applications allow patients to track health measurements, set medication and appointment reminders, and share information with clinicians. Users can access hundreds of mHealth applications including asthma and diabetes management tools as well as weight loss or smoking cessation apps. Additionally, mobile devices allow users to schedule appointments and communicate with providers via video conference and text message.

Wyoming Medicaid conducted a study measuring engagement and post-birth outcomes for patients  who used a mobile health app called, “Due Date Plus.” Use of the app, which allowed women to record pregnancy milestones, access medical services, and find symptom-related information was associated with increased compliance with prenatal care and decreased occurrence of babies born with low birth weights.

Video Conferencing, Video-Scopes, and High-Resolution Cameras in Telehealth

Clinicians are conquering distance and providing access to patients who are not able to travel by providing appointments utilizing real-time video communication platforms. Video conferencing technology has been utilized to provide care for inmates, military personnel, and patients located in rural locations for some time. Also, suppliers of both care and financing such as Kaiser Permanente, the Defense Department, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have been exploiting telehealth modalities to increase access to healthcare services and promote better care quality. In another example, S.C. Department of Corrections and the Medical University of South Carolina are using video scopes and high-resolution cameras to diagnose and treat inmates remotely. They are also conducting virtual appointments using video/audio communication applications to reduce prisoner transportation costs and increase safety by keeping inmates in and providers out of correctional facilities.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Remote Patient Monitoring involves the reporting, collection, transmission, and evaluation of patient health data through electronic devices such as wearables, mobile devices, smartphone apps, and internet-enabled computers. RPM technologies remind patients to weigh themselves and transmit the measurements to their physicians. Wearables and other electronic monitoring devices are being used to collect and transfer vital sign data including blood pressures, cardiac stats, oxygen levels, and respiratory rates.

Telehealth offers numerous benefits to the Health workers which include reduced overhead expenses, additional revenue stream, less exposure to illness and infections and also patients’ satisfaction. Also patients have their own share of these benefits offered by this awesome tech such as lower cost, access to care, convenience and the slowing of infection.

The summary remains that technology has infiltrated the health sector and in the nearest future it will offer more possibilities than the ones we see at present.

Be the first to leave a comment below