{"id":11050,"date":"2020-08-27T13:54:27","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T12:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=11050"},"modified":"2023-01-16T18:06:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T18:06:25","slug":"established-telemedicine-providers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/established-telemedicine-providers\/","title":{"rendered":"Established Telemedicine Providers"},"content":{"rendered":"

A practice that\u2019s ever-growing in popularity, telemedicine<\/a> is an innovative way to connect to patients. You may have heard the term telemedicine<\/a> or telehealth before. You may be in a position where you either want to know more about it, or you are ready to delve into this interesting and modern world of providing medical care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Telehealth is the use of technology in general to promote health. For example, perhaps the government may decide to do a text campaign promoting healthy eating. Whilst telemedicine is a specific offshoot from telehealth. Telemedicine is when health care providers use technology, like <\/span>video calls<\/span><\/a>, to give medical care to patients who can\u2019t make it into a hospital or doctor\u2019s office for one reason or another.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Business Wire<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

As <\/span>Medstaff<\/span><\/a> suggests that 90% of healthcare<\/a> organisations have, or at least plan to have, some sort of telemedicine practice in place, perhaps it\u2019s time to catch up with the competition and make telemedicine a part of your daily practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And it isn\u2019t just medical practitioners who prefer using tech for treatment. <\/span>eVisit<\/span><\/a> says that 74% of patients are happy to use telecommunication to see a doctor, rather than visiting them face-to-face. This is especially important in today\u2019s modern age of social distancing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Telemedicine providers help connect physicians and other health care staff with patients. They enable healthcare professionals to deliver a range of telehealth services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, with Covid-19, many medical professionals are catching on to the idea of telemedicine. The knock-on effect of this being that there is also an influx of telemedicine providers. This can make it very confusing to know who to trust and who is merely latching on to the trend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Chiron Health<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Telemedicine isn\u2019t just a case of logging into a <\/span>VoIP<\/span><\/a> app and talking to patients. Or indeed, patients video calling a hospital and being able to talk to a doctor on demand. Telemedicine providers need to have special training and the right equipment. Training in telemedicine can take years. And with technology changing all the time, a provider must adapt to these changes too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the type of care that people need varies from situation to situation, it is vital to work with a telemedicine provider who knows what they are doing. Not one who has watched a quick online video and bought some second-hand equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> MeMD<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

An orthopaedist maybe checking on the progress of a broken leg and talking to a patient that they have met before. An A&E nurse may be talking to a patient who lives in the mountains and has a shallow gash. Or a therapist may be assessing a patient’s behavioral health. So, it\u2019s important to work with a telehealth provider who knows which equipment is needed for what kind of health care worker. As well as the kind of specialist way they can help you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Telemedicine?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Officially born in the 1950s, telemedicine is a way of using technology to connect with patients who can\u2019t be seen in person. After a lot of experimentation, it was originally created to connect health professionals with people who lived in remote places. However, after realising the benefits, it was soon used to help people in poorer areas who didn\u2019t always have a high level of access to healthcare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> sisgainmobileappdevelopment<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

After years of practice and modernisation, professionals have realised what huge value it has to the healthcare system. Thus, they are implementing it in hospitals, doctor\u2019s surgeries, and clinics around the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patients connect with clinicians, nurses, and various other types of health care workers using a screen to screen system. This could be through a <\/span>VoIP phone system<\/span><\/a>, or it could be done using webcams on computers. As 3.5 billion people own a smartphone worldwide, according to <\/span>Bank My Cell<\/span><\/a>, many people can also receive patient care through a mobile phone. Meaning an appointment can take place from anywhere. Something very beneficial for that self-isolating or social distancing due to coronavirus or other infectious diseases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t

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\r\n\t\t\tHealthcare cloud phone systems<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t

Cloud business communications for healthcare<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t

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Types of care that can be provided through a communication device can range from a nurse checking on wound care, to a psychiatrist assessing a patient\u2019s mental health and providing therapy sessions. It is cost-saving, safe, and modern. What\u2019s more, it gives healthcare providers that much needed knowledge that is often missed out in training and educational courses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Vidyo<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Depending on the type of care you want to provide, the place you work, and the number of people in your team, choosing the right provider will help you choose what type of telemedicine and equipment will work best for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of Telemedicine\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every practice has its good sides and bad sides. But this is a healthcare system that has many more positives than negatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The most obvious point is that it is taking advantage of the tech available. And not just tech that is available to medical professionals, or centres with specialist funding. In many countries, healthcare doesn\u2019t get the funding it needs and for many people, they too don\u2019t have the money to get vital patient care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As an example, <\/span>Flymedi<\/span><\/a> tells us that the treatment of chemotherapy in the USA costs an average of $100,000. For many, this is unaffordable. Of course, telemedicine can\u2019t provide chemotherapy. But it can provide access to medical professionals for counselling and follow-up sessions at a much cheaper rate. This could be critical to a patient\u2019s mental health and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> American Hospital Association<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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In being able to access telemedicine services, all people need is a smartphone. So, this is medical help, and technology, that is available to many, rather than just those that can afford it. Not forgetting that many places still use outdated pieces of tech that sometimes provide inaccurate results and slow down the caring process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Telehealth is also able to save healthcare providers and companies money in general, as there are no transportation costs, no childcare costs, and no cost of extra expensive equipment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another obvious advantage is the non-face-to-face contact that exists within providing telemedicine care to patients. In times of airborne pandemics, like Covid-19, this has been particularly important. But this is also very beneficial to people who are at high risk of vulnerability or have low immune systems. It is also a great system for people who live far away and don\u2019t have access to hospitals nearby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other benefits include reduced waiting times, more time with each patient, and, with higher access to information, smarter and more in-depth decisions being made. Those who need access to specialists also have this opportunity, without having to travel long distances to talk to them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> SA Health\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

One of the biggest positives of telehealth, perhaps, is the result of overall improved public health. Having access to telemedicine means that people can see doctors more, are encouraged to take medication when required and can make appointments with physicians on demand if needs be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are personal benefits for the practitioner too. With extra time, the doctor is no longer burdened with high levels of work. Meaning stress and risk of burn-out is automatically reduced. Long commutes and long-distance travelling is also reduced. Meaningless environmental impact, while time and money are also saved.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not to say that telemedicine companies exist without cons. Residents in countries like the UK, France, and Israel are lucky enough to be able to experience free healthcare through their health systems. But for others, their health insurance may not cover the use of telemedicine. Such as those in the United States on Medicaid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, despite being at the forefront of technology, some technical restrictions come with only being able to communicate through a computer or phone. For example, the patient will not be able to receive a physical examination or as comprehensive mental health care and vital issues may get missed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source<\/b>: <\/span>Lean Forward<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Despite these negative points, telemedicine still has many positive attributes, with a great impact on both patients and care providers alike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction to Telemedicine Providers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before you invest any time at all into <\/span>virtual<\/span><\/a> care, you need to think about whether providing this type of care will be equal to, or more beneficial, to your patients than the in-person care they currently receive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you still want to go ahead, then it\u2019s useful to consider these points.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When setting up an online care network, you must go with one that suits you and your needs. This can make the difference between a well-thought-out and dedicated practice, and one that isn\u2019t too sure what they are doing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just a case of picking a telehealth provider and hoping they are the right fit. Each medical worker will have a different need, and each service provider will have various strengths and weaknesses. A small practice will not have the same budget that a huge hospital will, for example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Media Logic<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

You need to consider the specific needs of your patients and the specialisations you may have as a healthcare professional. Think about the problems you are trying to address and how virtual care will help with this. Use a telemedicine provider that aligns with these values and can provide you with your specific wants and needs. Make sure the technology fits with the service and that the telemedicine company you choose can deliver this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind that all your patients are different. This may seem like an obvious statement to make. But you don\u2019t want to end up in a situation where you have invested a lot of money into a telehealth provider with the presumption that your patients will be able to instantly use the service. Therefore, you need to pick a provider that reflects on this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Bottom Line<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Telemedicine companies need to provide you with a service that benefits patients of all abilities and ages. The best telemedicine providers will be honest and work with you to provide what is best for you and your patients. Once you have figured out which devices people have access to and what their needs are, then you can work with a telehealth company to choose a telemedicine platform, and go from there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This will, of course, be easier for smaller firms, but even if you are working on a large scale, you can figure out what your specialist departments are, which areas would benefit the most from this service, what type of patient you are trying to reach\/help, and where there is a gap in service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You also need to consider what the follow up will be for patients and how a telehealth provider will help you deal with this. As well as this, it will affect the workflow of your staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Established<\/p>\n

Source:<\/b> Incremental Healthcare<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Types of Telemedicine Providers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More and more businesses are getting involved in selling telehealth. Meaning there are a plethora of options from which you can choose. However, whichever one of the telemedicine companies you decide to go with, consider which has the best-suited options for your needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are four main types of telemedicine out there. Think about how each one fits with your practice and the benefit it will have for your patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n