Telehealth and Telemedicine: Making Treatment Possible Anytime, Anywhere
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly accelerated the adoption of telehealth technology, through which risk of transmission of the virus was reduced with limiting in-person interactions as well as to keep up with the increased demand for healthcare services.
To address needs of the pandemic situation, governments and healthcare organizations around the world have rapidly scaled up their telehealth services. Top of Form
Telehealth technology refers to the use of electronic communication and information technologies to provide healthcare services remotely.
This can include video consultations with healthcare providers, remote monitoring of vital signs, and secure messaging for communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Telehealth can be used to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, mental health services, and specialty care.
Moreover, it can also be used to connect patients in remote or underserved areas with healthcare providers, or to help patients manage chronic conditions.
This article will explore different applications of telehealth technology and how it has made healthcare more accessible by providing digital care.
Common applications of telehealth technology
Some of the most common applications of telehealth technology include:
· Video consultations: This allows patients to have virtual appointments with healthcare providers using video conferencing technology. This can be used for general check-ups, follow-up appointments and even some diagnostic procedures.
· Remote monitoring: this allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ vital signs and other health data remotely. This can include devices such as blood pressure cuffs, glucose meters, and wearable fitness trackers.
· Secure messaging: this allows patients to communicate with healthcare providers through secure messaging platforms. This can be used for follow-up questions, medication refills, and other non-urgent matters.
· Tele-education: It allows healthcare professionals to participate in remote learning opportunities such as webinars, teleconferences, and online training.
· Tele-rehabilitation: It allows rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental health therapy to be delivered remotely.
· Mobile health (mHealth)- It refers to the use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to deliver healthcare services. This can include apps for tracking symptoms, providing health information, and connecting with healthcare providers.
Different types of telehealth mobile apps
Virtual visit apps allow patients to schedule and participate in virtual visits with healthcare providers. They typically use video conferencing technology to connect patients with providers in real-time.
Remote monitoring apps allow patients to track and share their vital signs and other health data with healthcare providers. This can include data from wearable devices such as fitness trackers, or data entered manually by the patient.
Medication management apps allow patients to track their medications, set reminders for when to take them, and refill prescriptions. They may also provide information about the side effects and interactions of different medications.
Symptom tracking apps allow patients to track their symptoms and share the information with healthcare providers. This can include data on things like temperature, pain level, and respiratory rate.
Mental health apps provide patients with tools and resources to help manage their mental health and well-being. This can include things like stress management techniques, self-care tips, and access to mental health professionals.
What is Telemedicine?
Although telemedicine is used interverbal with telehealth technology, both the terms have different implications.
Telehealth refers specifically to the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical healthcare services remotely.
On the contrary, telemedicine is a subset of telehealth, mainly dealing with clinical services. The goal of telemedicine is to improve access to healthcare and make it more convenient for patients, while also reducing costs and improving outcomes.
With expansion of accessible healthcare, shortage of qualified physicians, and significant advancements in telecommunication technology, telemedicine market is expected to be on the rise.
According to BIS Research, the global telemedicine market was valued at $21.55 billion in 2019, which is projected to reach $123.0 billion till 2030, growing with a CAGR of 17.16% during the forecast period 2019–2030.
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Top 5 telemedicine apps on Google playstore and apple store
Teladoc app allows patients to schedule virtual visits with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Patients can also use the app to view their medical history, track their symptoms, and message their providers.
MDLIVE app is a telemedicine platform that connects patients with doctors and other healthcare providers for non-emergency medical issues.
It allows patients to schedule virtual consultations with doctors and other healthcare providers using video conferencing.
The doctors available through MDLIVE are state-licensed and board-certified, which means they have met the necessary qualifications and passed the necessary exams to practice medicine in their state.
MDLIVE is designed to provide patients with fast, easy, and convenient access to healthcare when their primary care physician is not available.
MDLIVE is designed to offer fast, easy, and convenient access to a doctor for nonemergency issues when your primary care physician isn’t available.
Lemonade is a telemedicine and mail-order pharmacy app that connects patients with doctors and other healthcare providers.
The app allows patients to schedule virtual consultations with doctors, who can diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, including birth control, depression and anxiety, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, and many more.
After the virtual consultation, the doctors can prescribe medications for the patients. Patients can have their prescription sent to a local pharmacy or delivered directly to their door.
With Lemonade, patients can get a medical consultation and medication delivery all in one place, providing them with a convenient and easy way to access healthcare.
Practo is a telemedicine platform which connects patients with doctors and other healthcare providers. It offers a directory of healthcare providers, enabling users to find and book appointments with doctors, clinics, and hospitals in their area.
Additionally, Practo offers a range of other health-related services such as booking diagnostic tests and ordering medicines online.
Amwell is a telemedicine platform that provides on-demand medical care for a wide range of conditions. They offer virtual consultations with licensed physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Users can access the platform through the Amwell app or website and can schedule appointments or have a consultation with a doctor on-demand.
The platform also offers a range of specialized services such as breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, psychiatry, and therapy, making it a comprehensive telemedicine solution for many different healthcare needs.
Conclusion
The future of telemedicine and telehealth technology is expected to continue growing as advancements in medical technology make it easier to remotely diagnose and treat patients.
The use of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies in telemedicine is expected to improve the quality of care and make it more accessible to people in remote or underserved areas.
With accelerated adoption of telemedicine and telehealth, and it is likely that many of the aforementioned medical practices will become permanent fixtures in the healthcare system.
Overall, the integration of telemedicine and telehealth as pioneering digital health, is expected to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase access to healthcare for all.
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