What is Telehealth?

tel·e·health

[ˈteləˌhelTH]

NOUN

1. the provision of healthcare remotely by means of telecommunications technology.

The internet has truly transformed our relationships with our own health.  Got a strange cough?  Google it.  A weird mole?  Do an internet image search.  Your child has a temp?  Find an article.  Having instant information at our fingertips can seem like a godsend… or a portal to becoming a hypochondriac.  

Fortunately, the technology, in conjunction with healthcare continues to  progress beyond stagnant internet information.  We now have the option of having a health professional on the ‘other end of the line’, rather than going down the tricky path of self-diagnosis, in the form of telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine. As technology grows more and more prevalent with the advent of smart phones and wireless internet, we can now see a doctor, get a real-time assessment from our own home, track our health and illness symptoms, send and receive medical data to and from our doctors and much more.

Telehealth is an inclusive term that refers to various forms and applications of technology, some familiar and some emerging:

Apps
There are a variety of telehealth apps – some you may already be familiar with. There are apps to promote wellness by tracking your physical activity or caloric intake, to manage a chronic condition like diabetes by tracking your insulin levels, apps to track heart rhythms, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose and much more. Considering 95% of Americans are now owners of a cell phone, the possibilities between our health and technology continue to expand.

Patient Portals. 

Many doctors and specialists utilize online patient portals. These secure informational web pages can assist in setting appointments, tracking health data, maintaining communication between health professionals and patients and much more.

Video – streaming video and videoconferencing may be used for consultation purposes, remote diagnosis and treatment purposes and virtual appointments.

“Store and Forward”

This refers to the capture, storage and transmittal of private patient information for healthcare purposes using data storage and transmission technology.  MRI’s, photos, videos, CAT Scans, etc. may be sent and referred to a variety of healthcare professionals as part of a patient’s diagnosis and treatment.

Who can use Telehealth?

• Patients on vacation  – When away from home, utilizing telehealth can help you avoid the dreaded out-of-network situation, should you find yourself in need of medical attention.  It may be possible that you could see your own doctor remotely, even when you’re not at home.
• Too sick or unable to come for a doctor visit – In the case of a non-life-threatening illness, a virtual appointment and even remote diagnosis may be an option.
• Live in an isolated or rural community without convenient access to healthcare.
• Limited mobility – for the elderly, convalescing or patients where a lack of mobility may be an obstacle.
• Can’t make doctor’s hours.  Those who struggle with issues of childcare, employment hours, this may provide more practical flexibility in fitting healthcare appointments into their schedule.
• Lack of transportation
• Inmates
• Military personnel in a remote or foreign location.

Despite the convenience and easy access telehealth promotes, there are some considerable downsides of telehealth to consider as well.

Drawbacks to Telehealth

• Gaps in care – when interacting with the healthcare community, whether via technology or face-to-face, there is always the possibility of missing pieces of the your health profile puzzle that may be relevant to your diagnosis or treatment.  It is important to communicate clearly and accurately and to be your own best health advocate.
• Misuse of pharmaceuticals
• Overlapping care
• Lack of coverage – fortunately, there are many health insurance plans that to provide telehealth coverage, but it’s always important to be aware of your policy and network.
• Lack of person-to-person care

Does your insurance include telehealth? Do you want to know more? Let’s talk.