Technology Used for Telehealth Services

Telehealth services can be rendered with limited technology such as a laptop with a webcam.  However, the more advanced the telehealth service the more advanced technology that would be needed. Examples of more advanced technology are Electronic Medical Records (EMR), technology providers such as American Well and medical devices with the ability to transfer clinical data via smartphones or cloud technology such as the Telcare cellular glucometer.

Telehealth platforms such as American Well and GetWell Network provide platforms in which health care providers can offer telehealth services to patients.  American Well offers technology that enables providers to directly consult with their patients as well as support physician to physician consults.  The use of these platforms is important as they are specifically designed to enable health care providers to consult with patients in a secure manner.  

Hospitals such as Boston Children's Hospital offers telehealth services to patients using robotic technology.   Patients who received surgery were sent home with a Vgo Robot.  The Vgo Robot is equipped with audio censors, articulating cameras, speakers and video screens that acted as the "face" of the robot.   

Providers monitor their patients recovery using videoconferencing.  This saves families from having to drive a far distance, sometimes hours, for a follow up appointment.  Boston Children's Hospital is also piloting programs in dermatology that allows parents to send photos of rashes or moles to dermatologists to determine whether or not they require a hard to come by in person appointment.  Once reviewing the photo the Dermatologist can then consult with the child's Pediatrician to determine if a specialist service is required.

As telehealth services become more popular technology companies will need to create the products and services that enable it to thrive.

Online Counseling

Obesity is on the rise in the United States.  The hectic pace of life combined with a sedentary lifestyle leads to poor food choices, little time for exercise and weight gain.  Many people struggle with trying to find time to eat healthy and exercise.  When it is hard to find the time to exercise and make healthy meals how would a person ever find time to meet with a dietician or nutritional counselor?  This is where technology comes in.  One of the biggest fields to utilize telemedicine are counseling fields such as nutritional and mental health counseling.  Why would these fields embrace such technology?  What makes telemedicine an ideal delivery platform for their services?

Counseling services generally take place in an office located in a hospital, medical center or private office such as a storefront office, in an office park or a home office.  The patient and counselor meet to discuss the patient issues such as overeating, depression or anxiety.  Many people push off these appointments due to finding it hard to meet the counselor in person.  With the emergence of technologies such as telemedicine counselors figured out how to meet their patients needs.  They refer to these services as e-therapy, e-counseling and cyber counseling.  Patients have the ability to "meet" with the counselors using a laptop and webcam or even a smart phone using videoconferencing technology.  

Below is an example of what a patient can expect during a telemedicine counseling session.

Nutritional counselors can also benefit from technology such as FitBits in order to further treat their patients.  When a patient wears a FitBit device the nutritional counselor can track the patients activity level along with food intake.  They can then utilize telemedicine appointments to go over the data and identify areas of improvement as well as encourage progress.  The appointments can work around a time that works best for both the counselor and patient.  With both parties having the ability to "meet" from home it allows for appointments during non-traditional hours such as very early in the morning before work or later at night after dinner.  The flexibility offered by technology may enable patients to stay on track rather than miss appointments and continue bad habits when they are unable to find time to meet with their counselor.

Telehealth 101

You may have heard the term "telehealth" on the news or in passing and wondered just what that means.  Telehealth is basically exactly what the word implies, it's a form of health care performed via a telecommunications platform.  The official definition of telehealth is "a collection of means or methods for enhancing health care, public health, and health education delivery and support using telecommunication technologies."  Telehealth enables health care providers to bring their services to someone who may not be able to visit them in person.  Some of the fields utilizing this emerging technology are counseling, physical and occupational therapy and chronic disease monitoring and management.  

You may be asking how do providers utilize the technology to assist their patients?  Let's use counseling as an example.  Social Workers who run support groups may offer their services to those that need support via an online forum.  If those that want to participate in the support group have a computer with a web camera and microphone they can use software such as Adobe Connect to sign into an online session.  This would enable those unable to attend a session in person due to transportation or scheduling issues the ability to attend remotely.  This benefits both the Social Worker and the patient.  Telehealth technology provides Social Workers who offer support groups the ability to reach more patients and those that would benefit from the services.  It benefits the patients as they may have a particular need for support but there are no support groups within a reasonable driving distance from their home.  Overall, if a person is seeking support from a support group the ability to find a group of people who are experiencing a similar situation will make them feel less alone.  How does this differ from an online chat?  Well, it is proctored by a licensed Social Worker and therefore is a more structured environment for that patient.

Telehealth can benefit health care providers as well as patients.  Providers are able to expand their client base and offer flexible appointment times to those that require their services.  Providers may also save on operating costs in the form of rent and salaries.  Telehealth would enable a therapist to operate a practice from home and offer online appointments only.  She can utilize an on-line scheduling system for patients to schedule their appointments and use a service such as PayPal to collect payment.  Telehealth benefits patients in a similar manner.  Patients can save on gas costs and schedule appointments that enable them to be home with their family or even during their lunch break at work.

Telehealth is an emerging technology that has the potential to improve the lives of those who utilize the service.  Just as many colleges and universities are embracing online degree programs, many health care providers are starting to embrace telecommunications to provide care to patients.