Telemedicine Telehealth Technology: A Comprehensive Guide By Samikshan Sarkar Telemedicine No comments Last Reviewed: November 20, 2024 Forty years from now, you’ll be able to attend an appointment from a mountain cave. Not exactly. But the current wave of modern telemedicine and telehealth technology is changing the medical world and our vision of care delivery. Thanks to telemedicine software, booking appointments and requests for medicine refills is simpler than ever. Compare Top Telehealth Software Leaders What This Article Covers What Is Telehealth Technology? Types Importance Data Security Software Selection Key Principles Implementation Considerations Limitations Next Steps What Is Telehealth Technology? Telehealth technology is a combination of software and hardware used to facilitate telehealth and telemedicine processes, such as virtual appointments, e-prescribing, medical file transfer and more. And telehealth is a form of medical care delivery that leverages digital records, information and telecommunication equipment to access health care remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven telehealth to new extents in the care community. Multiple patient populations use telehealth to connect with therapists, general physicians and specialists to get care. According to recent CDC data on telemedicine use among adults, 37% of U.S. adults used telehealth services in 2021. With a population of around 331.9 million, that’s roughly 122.8 million people using telehealth. And that’s just the U.S. This gives you an example of just how many people use these kinds of services — and it takes technology for all of them to do so. So let’s take a look at the different types and importance of telehealth technology. Types Telehealth offers a wide range of modern solutions that enable doctors to connect with patients remotely. It has become a paradigm in health care and continues to move forward strongly. The tools or features provided in a telehealth platform are categorized into two broad divisions — synchronous and asynchronous. Both of them provide a variety of benefits for both practices and patients. Asynchronous telehealth is popularly known as store-and-forward communication. Here, parties don’t communicate in real time. Instead, patients send medical files and important information to clinics where it’s stored for later review. Synchronous telehealth is a type of telehealth communication that takes place in real time. It takes place through video calls or messaging and can facilitate better patient-doctor relationships. Let’s look at some examples of telehealth technologies that are in use today: Patient Portals With electronic health records (EHR) and electronic medical records (EMR) becoming more popular, patient portals are quickly gaining momentum in health care. A patient portal is a gateway for patients to access health care data. In a telehealth setting, it helps patients stay updated with lab reports and medication prescriptions while also taking an active part in their health plans. For clinics and private practices, the patient portal is a boon. It encourages more engagement, automates mundane tasks and boosts revenue streams. In addition, it can also help reduce medical errors and send appointment and payment reminders to patients. mHealth Today, almost everyone owns a cellphone, tablet or both. Delivering health care through mobile phones has picked up pace in the last two decades. mHealth is becoming increasingly popular as a telemedicine technology as patients are beginning to use mobile health care applications and programs to improve health outcomes by staying connected with their health team 24/7. There’s a myriad of applications out there. While some help patients track their vitals, like blood pressure and heart rate using wearables, others allow them to keep track of medication, appointments and insurance payments. Patients can also use apps specifically for asthma or other chronic diseases that help manage these conditions at home. Today, there are multiple apps for women to track and check their pregnancy and menstruation cycles efficiently. All of these are possible because of mHealth. Store-and-Forward Telehealth Store-and-forward telehealth, also known as asynchronous telemedicine, is a care delivery process. This type of telehealth technology leverages data storage and transmission solutions to exchange medical information between health care clinics and labs, specialists and other providers. It’s essential for health care professionals to transmit X-rays, CT scans, digital images, MRIs and patient data to different specialists for better examination. Routers, internet connections and digital technologies are essential for the store-and-forward method. Messengers and email platforms can also help transmit patient data between health care agencies. Remote Patient Monitoring Remote Patient Monitoring helps medical practitioners and patients record patient-generated data with a mobile phone. It’s beneficial for clinicians to collect physiological health readings at regular intervals. These readings include blood pressure, sugar levels, heart rate counts, weight and more. Needless to say that remote patient monitoring provides several benefits for both patients and physicians. It provides better access and support options for patients. In addition, it connects both parties directly with relevant data, helping in improving outcomes. For chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes, remote patient monitoring is vital for better diagnosis and quick response in case of emergencies. Video conferencing Distance is a major barrier that patients face regarding receiving health care. Therefore, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing technology is the go-to to alleviate distance challenges. Appointments through real-time video save time and costs for patients and health care providers while adding to the convenience of procuring care services. These telehealth solutions especially allow better access to care for people living in outlying suburbs and rural areas.Video solutions also help in physical therapy, where therapists show patients various exercises and body movements. It’s a fast-growing technology as more and more innovations are on the way. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) IoT has taken the world by storm, and the medical industry is no exception. One of the most prominent telemedicine technologies, the The Internet of Medical Things is helping telehealth providers access in-depth data and real-time health vitals monitoring through wearables. It keeps medical devices connected, making the ecosystem smooth and quick. Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI is responsible for advancements in telehealth technology worldwide. Predictive algorithms and care-assistive applications are helping health care providers keep a close eye on patients and monitor vitals in real time. It helps in converting hand-written prescriptions to EHRs to reduce manual workloads. Furthermore, health care institutions worldwide use AI-infused chatbots to provide immediate assistance to patients. AI-based networking frameworks can assist patients in finding a doctor faster and eliminating additional wait times at your clinic. Systems with AI models help hospitals manage inventory and medical product stocks. Compare Top Telehealth Software Leaders Importance Today, multiple telecommunication technologies support telehealth and telemedicine care. From mHealth applications to remote patient monitoring, telehealth technologies store and analyze health information across the U.S. Software such as patient portals and medical practice management systems are responsible for sustaining health information technology or health IT. With the rising population of the U.S., the need for effective technologies to offer remote care is also rising. New cloud-based telehealth applications are assisting clinics with adopting telehealth services and scaling their organizations. Cloud equipped telehealth services provide anytime access to systems for records and maintain security. Telehealth is especially useful in treating chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Rather than requiring patients to come in regularly, you can monitor vitals and check in from a distance. This telehealth benefit also helps in chronic disease treatment that requires regular follow-ups. The National Diabetes Statistics Report, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says about 11.3% of the American population has some version of diabetes. Patients who have diabetes can use telehealth to attend appointments virtually. They can also send their blood sugar levels and other essential readings directly to physicians for monitoring. Finally, telehealth plays a major role in breaking down distance barriers. Telehealth in rural areas makes it possible for patients to contact care providers for minor consultations without having to travel long distances. Data Security In modern health care, protecting patients’ valuable data is a responsibility for care providers. Various laws and regulations are at play today, such as HIPAA, which compels clinical and administrative bodies to purchase efficient security options for their medical software. Similarly, telehealth technologies also require additional security measures to protect medical data from hackers. Medical files between patients and doctors increase the risk of data theft. Therefore, keep in mind the prevalent data security regulations to safeguard documents. There are multiple options to maintain health care information security efficiently. Today, telehealth solutions come with integrated security options. One is encrypted communication such as SSL and TLS, which keeps communications hidden and secure. If the platform is HIPAA-compliant, then it can provide a better level of security for confidential patient files and financial information. Often integrated messaging apps have several layers of encryption that provides a sense of trust for patients to talk about their illnesses. Encrypting data at rest is also a good way to ensure data safety. Enable all devices to encrypt data while at rest to ensure data safety in the event of device misplacement. Software Selection While there are many telehealth technologies available on today’s market, it’s best to make a list of features and requirements you need in the software. We’ve created a list of questions for you to help determine some of your primary needs: What modes of interaction do you need? Video, call or both? Does the software require a messaging feature as well? What assessment types and management tools do you require for the variety of patients you treat? Select a solution that encompasses all your needs. In terms of sending and receiving information to and from patients, which method shall you follow — store-and-forward, real-time technology or both? Do you have the bandwidth and devices to execute patient appointments without disturbances and interruptions? Think of the communication modes between the physician and patient. What if it’s a physical therapy session — will a video recording suffice, or is real-time training required? Streamline Software Selection with Services Key Principles When it comes to integrating telehealth technology into medical practices, there are some administrative, clinical and ethical principles to keep in mind: Administrative You must abide by all the ICT (information and communication technology) principles as set by the government. You should be aware and fully compliant with all the federal laws regarding telehealth services. You should abide by all contractual regulations regarding telehealth implementation. You also need a detailed understanding of and compliance with billing and coding laws. You need to communicate with patients about their rights and responsibilities when using telehealth services. Clinical Your health care team must be well trained and educated about the ICT devices and their troubleshooting. Health care providers must also have a detailed understanding about video conferencing best practices to aid in education during a video meeting. Technical Your IT department should perform regular inspections to ensure that the equipment is safe to use. Proper infection control and sanitization measures should be in place while using telehealth equipment. You should abide by all rules set forth about technical safety. Implementation Considerations One of the most essential technology requirements for telehealth is broadband. While most of the rural and urban communities in the U.S. have access to high speed internet, some don’t. The scope of telehealth is expanding day by day and its essential to educate ourselves about the dos and don’ts before implementing solutions. It’s also noteworthy that telehealth technologies take time and considerable expenses in the implementation stage. Therefore, a clinic needs to determine the telehealth services they will provide and if the cost is feasible. Furthermore, remember to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as patient satisfaction ratings, scheduling scores and overall productivity numbers to adjust as needed and ensure a successful implementation. Compare Top Telehealth Software LeadersCompare Top Telehealth Software Leaders Limitations Despite all the possibilities and opportunities that telemedicine technology offers, there’s still room for improvement. Telehealth technologies enable physicians to provide coordinated care. However, they also run the risk of overuse and incorrect diagnosis. The limitations of telehealth don’t end here. Out-of-pocket cost plays a significant role in patients opting for telehealth services. Insurance coverage is still not widespread in this arena and varies drastically from policy to policy. Even in the 21st century, there are suburbs and city outskirts where people don’t have mobile devices or internet connections. This creates a gap for them to access care according to their will. Compare Top Telehealth Software Leaders Next Steps Telehealth has proven to be a considerable force in the health care community. With newer telehealth technologies entering the markets, the care method will only see an increase in adoption rates worldwide. However, like every coin has two sides, telehealth also has some limitations one must keep in mind. That said, technology will alleviate many of these challenges in the future and make care more accessible to everyone. If you’re considering implementing telehealth solutions, automate your RFI/RFP creation before reaching out to vendors. Or, if you’re ready to start comparing software vendors on your own, check out our comparison report to evaluate the top telemedicine vendors and solutions. Which telehealth technology interests or has helped you the most? Please leave a comment below. Samikshan SarkarTelehealth Technology: A Comprehensive Guide08.02.2024