Telemedicine and Telehealth: Now and Beyond

Telemedicine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the use of communication technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and accidents despite geographic boundaries. It is connecting patients with their healthcare providers in real time via live video conferencing and audio communication equipment rather than physical interaction.   

Telehealth, a term often use juxtaposed to telemedicine services, can assist people who have limited access to healthcare. Patient monitoring from distant places, employee education in healthcare, health instructions, mental health and counselling services, coaching and health resources, viewing lab test results such as tracking blood sugar or blood pressure, requesting drug refills via apps and communication with a healthcare team on a two-way basis via phone, email, or patient portals are some examples of telehealth. 

Any long-term expansion of telehealth benefits should be organized to promote high-quality, comprehensive, and ongoing treatment in addition to increasing access to care. Furthermore, telehealth advantages should be tailored to reinforce rather than disturbing the patient-physician connection.  

• To safeguard telehealth access for patients who may lack broadband access, have little technological literacy, or for whom a video visit is impracticable or undesired, there should be a possibility to have audio-only and telephonic consultations, in addition to virtual check-ins.  
• To guarantee that physicians continue to provide virtual care to their patients, coverage and reimbursement should be consistent across all payers.  
• Payment models should be provided so that the patients can choose the type of care. 
• Payment models should also support the physician's capacity to guide the patient to the right service modality (i.e., provide acceptable compensation) in accordance with the current standard of care.  
• To improve digital health equity, invest in infrastructure. 
• To ensure telehealth access to important primary care and mental health services.  
• Greater exposure to remote treatment has alleviated concerns about its efficacy, efficiency, and patient happiness indicating that telemedicine and telehealth are really a reliable futuristic option and digital health solution.  

References:  

Welch, B. M., Harvey, J., O’Connell, N. S., & Mcelligott, J. T. (2017). Patient preferences for direct-to-consumer telemedicine services: A nationwide survey. BMC Health Services Research, 17(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2744 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5704580/   

AAFP, APA, ACP. (2020, July 1) Joint Letter to Sens. Alexander and Murray. https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/health_it/telehealth/LT-Congress-TelehealthHELP-070120.pdf