Telecare is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Telecare includes a growing variety of applications and services using two-way video, email, smart phones, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunications technology. This broad definition of telecare encompasses a variety of health care services including primary care office visits, check-ups for patients with chronic conditions and specialist consultations.
Benefits of Telecare
Access to Care from Your Home
Telemedicine allows patients to access medical care from their home or any other convenient location without having to travel to a medical facility. This can be especially beneficial for those who live in remote or rural areas without access to specialized care. It also helps those who have trouble traveling due to age, disabilities or medical conditions receive care more conveniently.
Reduced Costs
Telecare can help reduce travel costs for patients and providers. It also minimizes missed work and school days for patients and their families. Studies have shown telecare services may help reduce overall health care costs by decreasing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Promoting Health in Underserved Areas
Telecare can improve health equity by expanding access to scarce medical specialists and subspecialists for those in underserved communities. For example, patients in rural communities can connect with cardiologists, diabetes specialists and more via video conferencing. This promotes care in areas that have physician shortages.
Convenience of Anytime Access
Patients can have video or phone visits with their providers from anywhere, rather than needing to physically be in a clinical setting. This added convenience gives the ability to address health issues when and where they arise with access to medical care 24/7.
Telerehabilitation Services
Telerehabilitation uses telehealth technologies to deliver rehabilitation services over a distance, such as physical and occupational therapy. It allows patients who are unable to travel to a clinic to receive care from the comfort of their home. Conditions commonly treated via telerehabilitation include stroke, orthopedic injuries and neurological disorders.
New Models of Care Delivery
Telecare enables new models of coordinated and integrated care delivery between different members of a patient’s care team across multiple facilities and locations. It fosters collaboration across doctors, nurses, care coordinators and other providers to deliver seamless care.
Technologies Used for Telecare
Video Conferencing Visits
Many telecare visits involve live, interactive video conferencing between providers and patients. Secure video software allows for face-to-face interactions at a virtual appointment, including physical exams when needed. Providers can assess symptoms, answer questions and prescribe treatment options using secured video calls.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Devices can remotely and continuously track patient vital signs and biometrics like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight and pulse oximetry in real time. Providers receive alerts if measurements are abnormal and can remotely intervene as needed. Common devices used for remote monitoring include blood pressure cuffs, glucose meters, scales and portable EKG monitors.
Smartphone Health Apps
Patients increasingly use free or low cost mobile apps to track conditions, symptoms and medications. Providers then receive data uploads to look for trends. Health apps can also support remote treatment through reminders, education and secure messaging with care teams. Popular categories of apps involve chronic disease management, mental health support and women’s health.
Store-and-Forward Technology
With store-and-forward telecare, clinical information like medical images, pre-recorded videos or vital signs are captured and sent via secure email to specialists for consultation, diagnosis and treatment plans. Dermatology, radiology and pathology are common specialties using stored medical images for telecare reviews.
Advantages and Challenges of Telecare
While telecare brings many benefits to patients and providers alike, it also introduces challenges that the healthcare system is working to address:
– Lack of Connection: There are still many communities with inadequate or no high-speed internet access which prevent utilizing telemedicine services. Efforts are expanding broadband access across rural and remote regions.
– Upfront Costs: Setting up telemedicine programs requires investment in new technologies, infrastructure, staff training and licensure/credentialing of remote providers across state lines. Significant initial costs are involved to implement telehealth services.
– Patient Adoption: Some patients, especially seniors, are wary of using new technologies and prefer traditional office visits. Educating the public about secure telecare options aims to increase virtual care utilization rates.
– Licensing and Reimbursement: Regulations for telecare practice and reimbursement differ between states and insurers. Inconsistent rules create barriers. There is progress towards uniform standards across geographic regions.
– Provider Preference: While virtual care expands access, some physicians still prefer in-person exams for clinical interactions. Telecare requires adapting established practices to new delivery models.
The Future of Telecare
With technology continuing to rapidly advance and telecom infrastructure expanding nationwide, the role of telecare is primed for significant growth. Key industry projections for telecare over the next 5-10 years include:
– Widespread Adoption: Telecare will become the standard method of delivering routine and basic care. It is projected 80% of all medical consultations may occur online by 2025.
– Integrated Digital Health Records: Telecare platforms will fully integrate with existing electronic health records for streamlined data-sharing between remote providers and local facilities.
– Expanded Services: New virtual care modalities will include remote surgical assistance, extended care transitions, and sophisticated home health monitoring systems.
– Telecare in Homes: Telecare in the home setting has revolutionized healthcare delivery by providing convenient access to medical services from the comfort of one’s own residence. Through telemedicine platforms, patients can consult with healthcare providers remotely using video calls or secure messaging, eliminating the need for travel and reducing waiting times.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
