This white paper provides an in-depth analysis of the telemedicine process in healthcare segment at remote locations. It also covers the requirements of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order to provide better telemedicine service. This white paper will help understand the services, applications, and drawbacks of the telemedicine process. It also focuses on how the telemedicine service is convenient for both provider and patient. This whitepaper represents how the communication between the physician and patient has changed the face of the treatment. In telemedicine service, communication is done via a secure video call which saves time as well as the treatment cost.

This white paper provides an in-depth analysis of the telemedicine process in healthcare segment at remote locations. It also covers the requirements of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order to provide better telemedicine service. This white paper will help understand the services, applications, and drawbacks of the telemedicine process. It also focuses on how the telemedicine service is convenient for both provider and patient. This whitepaper represents how the communication between the physician and patient has changed the face of the treatment. In telemedicine service, communication is done via a secure video call which saves time as well as the treatment cost.

Telemedicine service allows physicians or experts to assess, diagnose, and treat patients at remote locations through telecommunication technology. Telemedicine is a tool which makes healthcare service more cost-effective, accessible, and increases patient engagement. Doctors and patients can share information in real time from one to another. Physicians also can see and capture patient’s medical reports, and other health related data from medical devices at a remote location. It is not a distinct medical specialty. Services and products of telemedicine are part of higher investment by healthcare industries. Patient consultations by video conferencing, sharing patient images, remote monitoring, patient portals, continuing medical education, and other such applications are considered as a part of the telemedicine.

Types of Telemedicine

Telemedicine can be categorized into three categories:

• Remote patient monitoring

Remote patient monitoring which is also called as telemonitoring. Patients with chronic diseases to be diagnosed in their homes through medical devices. These medical devices collect data about blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other vital signs.

• Save and Forward

It is also known as asynchronous telemedicine, which allows providers to share patient information, such as blood test results, with a doctor to another location.

• Interactive telemedicine

Interactive telemedicine lets patients and physicians communicate in real time. These sessions are conducted in the patient’s home or in a medical facility.

Steps to start telemedicine practice

• Understand the basic: Before starting a telemedicine practice, providers and an organization administration should understand that how laws vary when using telemedicine solutions. It is also required to consult with an expert to know what equipment’s they need.
• Deciding on Telemedicine Solutions: After getting the basic idea, an organization or provide should decide which type of telemedicine solutions to provide.
• The Equipment: Organizations or providers should ensure that they have compatible devices such as webcams, microphones, speakers, and others.

Telemedicine can be offer following Services:

• Remote patient monitoring: This may include home telehealth, which uses electronic medical devices to remotely store and forward data to RDTF (Remote Diagnostic Testing Facility) for further treatment. These applications may comprise a specific vital sign, like heart ECG or blood glucose.
• Patient medical and health information: This includes the use of wireless devices and the internet to obtain all health related information and access live discussion which provides peer-to-peer connection.
• Medical education: It provides medical education credits for specialists and health professionals.

Opportunities and Challenges

Telemedicine presents a number of opportunities for both providers as well as patients. However, it is important to note that integrating the regulatory scheme with innovation is essential in this service. Following are some benefits of telemedicine:

• Increases access to care
• Allows physicians to extend their geographical footprint
• Decreases the cost of care with better treatment management of chronic diseases

Telemedicine can provide better access to patients who are homebound or living in a nursing home. Patients can connect with a physician without having to travel. With the help of telemedicine it becomes possible that the doctors in a rural area can send images or health related information to a specialist across the globe and obtain their opinion and advice.

Telemedicine also presents some intrinsic challenges. The implementation of telemedicine requires patients and providers to have the infrastructure in order to support telemedicine and related knowledge to use its solution. For example, a computer with video function and internet connection are needed for both patients as well as physician to enable the live video call for treatment. This could be a big challenge for low income folks as well as the elder people.

Moreover, there are many regulatory challenges for telemedicine. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance provide changing requirements and degrees of coverage for telemedicine,

Advantages of telemedicine service

• Cost Efficiencies: Telemedicine technology reduces the cost of healthcare. It becomes possible by providing a more efficient process of managing chronic diseases, decrease travel time, shared health professionals, and shortens the number of hospital stays.
• Easier Access: Telemedicine service allowed physicians to evaluate, diagnose, and serve a number of patients than they expected. Patients and physicians could get easier access to telemedicine if they have the proper infrastructure available with them.
• Improved quality of services: According to the research, as compared to traditional in-person care, telemedicine provide better quality services in terms of specialty care, particularly in ICU care and mental health.
• Patient demand: Telemedicine enables patients to reduce the stresses of traveling created g huge demand for telemedicine solution.

Conclusion

Over the years, the concept of telemedicine has existed; however, maximum people now experiencing the higher expansion and adoption of telemedicine across the globe. The current requirements and laws applicable to telemedicine changes significantly from nation to nation. As a result, different regulations will certainly apply to the telemedicine method depending on the patients’ location. It is important to note that, the providers need to update with the varying laws and legal counsel to recognize the requirements for the use of telemedicine service.