Medicine from Afar – Morning Sign Out at UCI

Written by Sowmya Kolluru and Edited by Kevin Liu

Telehealth, a healthcare consultation process used initially to bridge the geographic barrier between patients and doctors, has become a convenient alternative to physical patient care for doctors and patients everywhere. In fact, according to the American Hospital Association, the implementation of telehealth has skyrocketed in the past decades, with some form of video conferencing technology being involved in patient care at 76% of hospitals in the United States. This is a massive increase from the 35% of hospitals having used technology for healthcare purposes in 2010 [1]. Initially just a form of transferring radiological images from Philadelphia to West Chester in 1948, telehealth has evolved in scope and popularity [2]. Now, it is being implemented across the world for a variety of healthcare purposes, ranging from education to symptom diagnosis.

Telehealth refers to the implementation of different communication and video conferencing devices like computers and phones to virtually connect patients and healthcare professionals. This use of technology allows medical care to occur from virtually anywhere, be it from home or work. Though often used interchangeably, telemedicine is a specific subset of telehealth; while telemedicine refers to basic medical consultations between patients and healthcare professionals, telehealth encompasses any health-care related activity such as health education, that may not necessarily have to do with direct patient care [3].

Telemedicine has many benefits and limitations. Some of the benefits include the convenience of visiting a doctor from the comfort of one’s own home, the prevention of the spread of illnesses that may result from being in a hospital setting, the presence of family members to facilitate patient-doctor understanding, and increased regularity of visits [4]. Moreover, Telemedicine provided benefits in terms of education for future healthcare professionals [5]. Another major benefit is increased patient satisfaction. Thomas Jefferson University conducted a study of 19 adults in 2017 where they found that, in the sample, no one, each with different reasons for needing an appointment, had prior experience with using technology for medical care in the past, and over 68% attended their appointment from home. Most participants expressed a positive reaction to the convenience of a virtual visit. Moreover, while some mentioned that there was definitely a benefit in an in-person visit, the virtual nature of the visit was not too limiting. All the participants noted that they were satisfied with this virtual mode of care and were positive they would use it again in the future [6]. One major limitation expressed by participants in this study was with regards to privacy. Many felt that they did not have a private place where they could fully discuss their needs with their physician without concern of being heard. Harvard Health noted a similar issue, stating that personal data being shared over the internet was of concern. Additional limitations include the need to be in person for several medical needs such as blood work and the lack of adequate internet connection [7].

Using telemedicine is a relatively simple process, though it differs slightly based on the clinic. First, ensure that your technology is ready to use. A device with the capacity for video to better interact with the provider and with a working internet capacity is required to get the most out of a virtual visit. Second, double check with your insurance company on what is covered. Some private and federal insurance companies and programs have restrictions on coverage for telehealth, so it is vital to be aware of these prior to accessing medical care in this way. Next, set up an appointment by contacting the clinic, visiting the patient portal, or using a mobile application, depending on the individual clinic’s protocol. Prior to your virtual medical consultation, you will be emailed a link to join the appointment, after which you will be prompted to virtually sign and agree to terms of privacy and consent. During the appointment, you can make use of video and audio options to discuss symptoms, histories, treatment options, prescriptions, and more. Depending on the required care and next steps, an in-person consultation may be required, and the videoconferencing technology allows your physician to discuss these with you virtually [8].

With roots in our history, telehealth services, including telemedicine, have grown in popularity in recent years. Telemedicine has both major benefits and limitations. Surely, further research is needed into the field of telemedicine and its integration into the various healthcare purposes [9]. However, with most major social organizations supporting an eventual expansion of telehealth and recent increases in its usage, telehealth services surely are here to stay.

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