Telehealth Revolutionizes the Medical Field

Telehealth Revolutionizes the Medical Field

The field of medicine and related healthcare services is a dynamic field that constantly changes as new information is discovered and novel technologies provide methods for improving care. One such technology is telehealth services. Blue Jeans telehealth services and others in the industry offer a means for doctors, educators, and researchers to extend their reach and improve care. Telehealth, as described by the Center for Connected Health Policy, encompasses a range of communication tools provided through telecommunication technology which enable healthcare professionals to enhance patient services, improve public health, and increase healthcare education.

Telehealth Tools You don’t need a lot of fancy, expensive equipment (or the training to go with it) to access the benefits of Telehealth services from telecommunication companies like Blue Jeans. All that is needed is a computer or mobile device such as a tablet or smart phone with a web cam, internet access, and a web browser. Blue Jeans explains that with their meeting services, customers can join the same meeting even if they use a different video service-eliminating system compatibility issues.

Patients and Telehealth Telehealth is not just for healthcare professionals. Patients can benefit greatly from using Telehealth services to contact doctors. Mission Health explains that for many patients, especially those in rural areas, going to a specialist is typically inconvenient, or not feasible. Small communities sometimes offer only general physicians. When using Telehealth communication services, patients can talk to and even be evaluated by specialists, whether they are in another town, state, or even in another country. This is not merely advantageous for patients in rural communities either; even patients in large metropolitan cities sometimes need the health of a doctor with a rare specialization or wish to seek a second opinion on diagnosis and treatment-telehealth allows them to broaden their scope of options. According to IT News, patients can even combine Telehealth services with apps for their mobile devices that allow them to track their own vital signs, blood sugar, and other health information. This data can then be shared and discussed with their healthcare provider, getting the care they need, immediately when it is needed and avoiding a trip to the doctor’s office: this saves doctors and patients time and money.

Doctors and Telehealth Using Telehealth technologies, doctors are able to enhance patient care while making their own jobs just a little easier. As is the case with business themed video meetings, Telehealth meetings make scheduling and communicating more simple and convenient. Doctors are able to meeting with specialists, or members of their own field, via video conferencing and can share research data, discuss methods of care and treatment, and even analyze patient diagnosis. Combined with being able to e-mail patients MRI and CT test results and blood work, Telehealth conferencing is a fast, efficient, and thorough means for doctors to pass along and obtain necessary information. Often, patients do not get the appropriate care for their ailments because they either lack access to a specialist, or they have several doctors that do not properly communicate treatment and diagnosis – as when one doctor is not aware of what another doctor is doing for their patient – and this results in unsafe mixing of medications, over medicating, and incomplete care. Telehealth reduces common failings in the healthcare system and increases doctors’ capacity to provide appropriate and effective care. Mission Health, a non-profit healthcare organization, even uses Telehealth technology coupled with a robot to go out to rural areas, evaluate patients, and link with doctors who then observe, diagnose, and treat the patients.

Telehealth in Education Healthcare education is also improved through the use of Telehealth services. One instructor can use a Telehealth meeting platform to offer lectures and training courses to students in multiple locations all at once. So, if a student wants to be trained in a specialized subject, and the only course on that subject is offered three states away, the student can access the course with their computer or mobile device and get the training they want and need. Telehealth also makes providing and obtaining training less expensive and more convenient. Cutting out travel and the need for large classroom space cuts down on costs to healthcare educators and their students alike, explains IT News. The convenience of taking a course at home on your computer or on-the-go on a mobile device means more students can have the opportunity to fit necessary training into their schedules- this also means that doctors and brush up on their skills without have to take time away from their practices.

Telehealth and Trade Blue Jeans explains that Telehealth services can even be used by healthcare sales professionals. Healthcare sales people can present new equipment, tools, and medications to numerous doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers at once. Typically such a task would require either having potential customers attend a product expo, or traveling to individual locations-both of which ate costly and time consuming. The less a company has to put into selling their product, the less overhead they have-this means they can offer products at lower prices, a benefit to both healthcare providers and patients as costs have a trickle-down effect.  Telehealth services can greatly benefits doctors and patients at both ends of the spectrum.