Telehealth: Similarities And Differences

Telehealth is currently a widely used service by both physicians and patients. Throughout history, many cultures developed their own form of communicating over long distances. Today, in part to innovation and technology, physicians are able to provide the best care possible to their patients through improved technology that allows better communication and physician availability (Noble, 2015). This idea has become known as Telehealth, and Telemedicine. Since it is able to provide faster and more efficient communication of data between physicians, patients in deep rural areas, who typically do not any form of transportation, are able to receive higher quality of care (Mandal, 2014). Thus, a large number of disparities have been addressed, and
Telehealth is the use of telecommunications to support long-distance healthcare services, healthcare education for both patients, providers and the public, public health and health administration (American Telemedicine Association, 2012). Some technologies currently used for telehealth include video conferencing, internet based software, and wireless communication. The majority of which are used through hardware such as, computers, monitors, audio, smart phones, and tablets (Health Resources and Services Administration). Telehealth in its entirety, provides a wide range of services, including diagnosis and management, and education. Additionally, it includes telemedicine, which is the process of clinical diagnosis and monitoring through the use of technology. Some means of engaging telehealth and telemedicine are remote patient monitoring, mobile health, and live video (Center for Connected Health Policy, 2014). Despite these significant jumps in technology, and its availability to physicians and patients alike, it definitely has some areas needing
From emergency department consultations between physicians and specialists, to the ability of being able to on the monitor to the second heart rates, oxygen saturation, and sugar levels in the blood of a patient who is at home; all are susceptible to confidentiality violations. Additionally, if you include radiology transmissions, or teleradiology, this percentage rises from 50 percent to over 81 percent (Nursing Times, 2009). Many physicians believe that telemedicine should strictly be conducted only through secure means, which is required in order to maintain compliance with HIPAA (Nursing Times, 2009). Another major area needing improvement is the question of who will pay for these consultations, and private care. Many major private insurance carriers and Medicaid only reimburse members for some telehealth related billing depending on if they live in a rural area, or not (Nursing Times, 2009). It is in these rural areas where the greatest need, and success, of telehealth exists. Disparities in healthcare occur for a number of reasons, none of which is more important than another, or easier to address. Some of these reasons include structural barriers such as a lack of transportation, a lack of providers, a lack of health insurance, a lack of financial resources, inconsistent care or an inconsistency in providers, legal issues, and