Telehealth on the Rise

The use of telehealth is growing faster than ever, especially in this time of social distancing. We are in a day and age where we have the technology for telehealth and the majority of the U.S. population is very comfortable and familiar with using video chat apps. Many people now also have access to a computer or mobile device to use these apps. With a changing dynamic on how we deliver and receive healthcare, telehealth is revolutionizing the industry.

Though the terms telehealth and telemedicine are used interchangeably, telemedicine is a subset of telehealth. The scope of telehealth is broader and refers to providing any health services using telecommunications. Telemedicine is more specific and refers to the practice of medicine using telecommunications to deliver care at a distance.

While most people might envision a live video chat when they think of telemedicine, there are three main types of telemedicine. The store-and-forward type of telemedicine allows healthcare providers to forward and share a patient’s medical records and data with another provider at a different location. Remote patient monitoring is when a doctor monitors their patient’s vitals and other health information from another location. The real-time type of telemedicine consists of a live consultation between a healthcare professional and patient, or even between health professionals, using telecommunication.

The Growth of Telemedicine

Telemedicine has been around for a while, but its uses have changed and evolved over time to better fit the needs of healthcare delivery. Its original use was to treat patients in rural areas with a shortage of healthcare providers. But now, telemedicine is being used more for the convenience it provides patients and providers. With the vast array of mobile health apps, the growing mobile health field is also contributing to the growth of telemedicine. More patients have begun using mobile apps and technology to monitor and track “Smartphones have revolutionized every aspect of life and so is the case with healthcare. Telemedicine is not just video consultation, it is digitization of healthcare delivery and online clinic experience.”

- Waqas Ahmed, MD, FACP, CEO and Founder of American TelePhysicians Inc.

their own health. This makes them more receptive to using telemedicine to get treated by a healthcare provider. “Smartphones have revolutionized every aspect of life and so is the case with healthcare. Telemedicine is not just video consultation, it is digitization of healthcare delivery and online clinic experience,” says Waqas Ahmed, MD, FACP, CEO and Founder of American TelePhysicians Inc. “Like any other technology, telemedicine adoption started with the younger generation first and now is being used widely by both patients and physicians of all ages. In recent years, reimbursement by insurances had been a big barrier, which has been eased out so adoption is going to be accelerated now.” But with any technology solutions, there are some downsides to using telemedicine. Telemedicine platforms generally require some training and purchasing equipment, which can take up a significant amount of time and money, especially if the telemedicine platform is extensive. Some critics are also wary that telemedicine will replace in-person doctor visits, but this is not the case. The traditional in-person method of receiving healthcare treatment is necessary in many circumstances, and will always be a significant part of getting treatment from a healthcare provider. “Telemedicine has its limitations such as limited physician exams and personal interaction,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Certainly, there is no match to in-person visits however, both patients and healthcare providers also understand that like other digital communications [such as video calling and social media] telemedicine and digital health are becoming essential tools of healthcare delivery.” Many healthcare providers are finding that telemedicine is a great tool to supplement in-person visits and as a means to check in with patients and track their progress. For certain situations, in-person visits are not needed and a virtual appointment saves time for the patient and doctor. More healthcare providers have been receptive to using telemedicine as its benefits are becoming more apparent. “There had been hesitancy in the past, however it is becoming quite popular with both physicians and patients alike,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Improved access and convenience with flexibility are the key factors of this drive, and now with reimbursements, it would be adopted more and more.”

Amidst the current global pandemic, many hospitals and medical practices have begun using telemedicine to offer their patients virtual appointments in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. “Social distancing is the key preventive strategy to flatten the curve and as patients are being advised to stay at home except for emergency cases, however it has also posed unique challenges to the healthcare systems as most of the outpatient clinics have closed down, at least partially, to

avoid risks of exposure to healthcare workers and other patients, yet this also has put patients with chronic care disease at risk of not having close follow-up,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Telemedicine has proven to be very effective in providing continuation of care to such patients, as well as COVID-19 positive patients who are not very symptomatic and have been advised to stay at home. Telemedicine is also proving to be very beneficial in inpatient settings to avoid exposure to healthcare providers. Moreover, telemedicine is also allowing families to be involved in the care of their loved ones despite being away from them physically.”