Telehealth has been gaining popularity in recent years as a convenient and efficient way to offer or receive medical care. With the advancements in technology and the increasing demand for convenient and accessible healthcare, the future of telehealth appears incredibly promising though with recognizable challenges.
It has become an important solution for improving access to quality medical care for a wide range of individuals and populations. In this article, we will delve into the concept of Telehealth, examining its progress and hurdles. By doing so, we can gain insights into the potential future of Telehealth in the healthcare industry.
Whether you are a rural dweller, an elderly, a busy professional, living with mental or chronic illnesses, or with limited mobility, you stand to benefit from telehealth due to its convenience, accessibility, and ability to overcome geographical barriers. In this article, we will explore the future of telehealth with a focus on its advancements and challenges.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth also called “Telemedicine” refers to the use of telecommunications technology to deliver healthcare services remotely. It encompasses a wide range of technologies and methods that allow healthcare professionals to provide patient care remotely such as consultations, diagnoses, treatments, and even patient monitoring.
Although “Telehealth” is often used interchangeably with “Telemedicine,” they differ slightly. Telehealth is a broader term including telemedicine and other things like training for health care providers, health care administrative meetings, and services provided by pharmacists and social workers. Telemedicine is considered to be under the umbrella of telehealth and refers specifically to clinical services.
Telehealth is a subset of e-health which is the use of telecommunications technology in health care delivery, information, and education.
It utilizes various communication tools, including video conferencing, remote monitoring devices, mobile apps, and secure messaging platforms, to connect patients and healthcare providers virtually.
It is beneficial to a wide range of individuals particularly the rural communities, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses like diabetes, mental health patients, busy professionals, parents with young children, people with limited mobility, individuals in post-operative and post hospitalization recovery, and those in pandemic and crisis situations. This is because of its convenience, accessibility, and ability to overcome geographical barriers.
However, as with any new technology, there are challenges associated with telehealth that need to be addressed to maximize its benefits.
Read How to Protect Patients’ Privacy in Telehealth
Overview of the advancements and adoption in recent years
In recent years, there has been an increased adoption of telemedicine as an effective method of offering quality healthcare services. The COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of telehealth services globally. Lockdowns and social distancing measures increased the demand for remote healthcare solutions.
Telemedicine has been widely adopted by many patients and applied in many areas including Virtual consultations through video calls, phone calls, and secure messaging. Also used in remote monitoring of patients by their providers using wearable devices and remote monitoring technology. Although widely adopted, it remains more accessible to certain groups of patients than others.
It has also been used in Telepsychiatry and mental health services, Increased access to specialized care by rural dwellers, Technological advancements including the use of AI and machine learning in healthcare services, Remote health education, and application of hybrid models in care services.
Facts about Telehealth
Currently, 35 states and the District of Columbia have enacted “parity” laws, which generally require health insurers to cover services provided via telehealth the same way they would reimburse for services provided in person. States vary on payment parity. About 76 percent of U.S. hospitals connect with patients and consulting practitioners at a distance through the use of video and other technology.
Almost every state Medicaid program has some form of coverage for telehealth services, and private payers are embracing coverage for many telehealth services. However, there are still barriers to wide adoption of Telehealth. Medicare still lags behind other payers by limiting coverage and payment for many telehealth services.
Advancements in Telehealth
1. Emergence of virtual doctor consultations
Telehealth allows patients to have face-to-face interactions with their healthcare providers and specialists through video conferencing from the comfort of their homes. This not only saves time and money for both parties, but it also allows for flexibility and a more personalized and convenient experience for both parties.
Patients can discuss their symptoms and concerns with their healthcare provider in real-time, without having to wait for an in-person appointment. This is especially beneficial for patients who live in rural areas or have limited mobility. With telemedicine, they can access medical care without the added stress and inconvenience of traveling to distant locations.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the technologies allowed physicians to care for their patients while mitigating the risk of coronavirus infection. Indeed, the capabilities for doctors in both inpatient and ambulatory settings have expanded due to the latitude provided by telehealth.
2. Telehealth makes mental health treatment more convenient and accessible
In traditional mental health treatment, individuals often face barriers such as long wait times, limited availability of therapists in their area, and transportation issues. This can be especially challenging for those living in rural or remote areas.
With virtual consultations, these barriers are eliminated. Clients can access therapy from the comfort of their own home, without having to worry about commuting or finding a therapist in their area.
This is particularly beneficial for individuals with mobility issues or those who live in areas with limited mental health resources. It also applies to individuals who have busy schedules or travel frequently.
Telehealth allows these people to continue their therapy sessions while on the go, without any interruptions. For therapists, telehealth allows them to have a more flexible schedule and reach a larger number of clients, as they are not limited by their physical location.
3. Offers the convenience of remote monitoring of patients
Using wearable devices and other monitoring tools, healthcare providers can track a patient’s vital signs and health data from a distance. This is especially useful for patients in medically underserved rural areas or those with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension etc. who require regular monitoring.
With telehealth, healthcare providers can keep a close eye on their patient’s health without them having to leave their homes. This allows for real-time data monitoring for chronic disease management, enhanced patient self-care, and proactive interventions.
4. Promotes technological innovations
Telehealth has employed the use of some technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in patient care and monitoring. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in telehealth is a game-changer.
AI-powered chatbots can assist patients in scheduling appointments, answering basic medical questions, and even providing personalized health advice.
This not only saves time for healthcare providers but also makes it easier for patients to access information and care. AI can also analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and trends, helping healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
AI is now used in triaging and diagnosing patients, conducting predictive analytics for personalized treatment plans, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), and there is potential applications of VR/AR in surgical training and therapy sessions. This leads to enhanced patient engagement and immersive experiences.
5. Remote Health Education
Telemedicine platforms have been used for health education of the masses, enabling healthcare providers to offer information and guidance on managing chronic conditions, medication adherence, and preventive care.
6. Adoption of Hybrid Care Models
Telehealth has led to the emergence of hybrid care models. A hybrid care model combines the traditional in-person care services with virtual care or remote options thereby providing patients with more flexible options for receiving healthcare services.
Telehealth Challenges
1. Telehealth Suffers Legal and Regulatory Barriers
Since telehealth services typically involve providing healthcare across state or national borders, there are concerns about which jurisdiction laws and regulations apply, including licensing requirements for healthcare professionals. Ensuring compliance with these regulations can be complex and may require navigating different legal frameworks.
Another challenge is the issue of privacy and security of patient sensitive information. With telehealth, sensitive medical information is being transmitted over the internet, which can make it vulnerable to cyber attacks. This raises concerns for the ability of the involved parties to comply with privacy and security regulations (HIPAA, GDPR).
2. Faces technical and operational difficulties
One of the primary challenges in telehealth is ensuring a stable internet connection for both healthcare providers and patients. Such technical issues as poor video or audio quality, connectivity problems, or software glitches can hinder the smooth delivery of telehealth services.
3. Limited physical examination and other medical assessment
Unlike in-person visits, telehealth often lacks the ability for healthcare providers to conduct a comprehensive physical examination on a patient. It may also be difficult to assess some symptoms properly. These limitations can make it challenging to diagnose certain conditions accurately or access physical symptoms that require hands-on evaluation.
4. Physical and security concerns
Telehealth involves the transition of sensitive medical information over digital platforms. Adhering to privacy laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and GDPR is crucial. Ensuring the privacy and security of patient data is crucial to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with healthcare regulations.
Implementing robust data security measures to protect patient information from unauthorized access or breaches is also essential. Protecting against data breaches or unauthorized access is an ongoing challenge.
To avoid breaches in patients’ privacy, healthcare providers must ensure that they have proper security measures in place to protect their patients’ data. This include but not limited to the use of secure communication platforms, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), Training Staff on privacy protocols, using secure data storage, and conducting regular security audits and updates.
Learn How to Safeguard Patients’ Privacy in Telehealth
5. Navigating reimbursement and financial models
Telehealth reimbursement policies and regulations vary across different regions and healthcare systems. Navigating these complexities and ensuring fair reimbursement for telehealth services can be a challenge for healthcare providers and organizations.
6. Lack of Insurance coverage
The lack of insurance coverage for telehealth services is also a significant challenge. While some insurance companies have started to cover telehealth visits, many still do not. This can be a barrier for patients who cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for these services.
As telehealth becomes more prevalent, insurance companies need to adapt and provide coverage for these services to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.
7. Telehealth faces challenges of digital divide
Telehealth has the potential to increase access to healthcare, it can also exacerbate the existing health disparities. Since not everyone has equal access to technology or a stable internet connection, this can limit the reach of telehealth services to such people, especially the underserved low-income communities or those that live in the underserved rural areas.
Research shows that the digital divide, such as lack of access to the internet and technology, likely widens the gap in telehealth access disparities, mainly in rural areas.
8. Skepticism in adopting telehealth options by patients and providers
Some patients may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar with using technology for healthcare purposes. Similarly, healthcare providers may require additional training and support to adapt to telehealth practices effectively.
Overcoming resistance and skepticism from both patients and providers towards virtual care options and ensuring both parties are comfortable with telehealth can be a challenge.
Key Points
Telehealth is critical to healthcare. Among the key advancements in telehealth is the development of wearable devices that can monitor patients’ vital signs and transmit the data to healthcare providers in real-time. This allows for continuous monitoring of patients with chronic conditions and early detection of any abnormalities. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are being utilized to analyze patient data and provide personalized treatment plans.
The future is bright with advancements that have the potential to improve healthcare access and delivery, improve convenience, and reduce barriers to receiving medical services remotely. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more advancements in telehealth, making it an integral part of healthcare with its potential to greatly enhance healthcare delivery, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and patient-centered.
However, some challenges need to be addressed to ensure that telehealth is accessible and beneficial for all without adding to the already existing health disparities. The AMA leads the charge to expand telehealth policy, research and resources to ensure sustainability and fair payment for providers.
Read More on The 10 Tips for Your Telehealth Privacy and Security
Sources
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Author: Amaka O
Amaka (She/her) is a physician, public health professional, and writer. Most of her articles cover topics on health and wellness trends. Due to her passion for preventive health, she promotes healthier lifestyle among people through health education. Her mission is to contribute toward reducing the burden of disease on people and reducing the health disparities among the diverse minority populations. She holds a bachelors degree in medicine and a master's degree in public health.
