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Author Archives: securemedical

08
Apr
Date April 8, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Orthopedic Telemedicine: How Orthopedic Virtual Care From Home Works

The COVID-19 pandemic forcing many medical areas to go virtual, including orthopedics, explains why necessity is the mother of innovation. Orthopedic surgeons are now weighing in on several things, having witnessed orthopedic practices adapt to telemedicine technology. Some consider their practices sticking with telemedicine once the COVID-19 crisis period stops.

You may wonder how an orthopedic practice like lower back pain, injured knee, or rotator cuff tear works remotely. Yes. It is possible. But doesn’t delivering orthopedics via telehealth sound counterintuitive?

Historically, during orthopedic sessions, health practitioners use palpations, a technique of feeling using fingers during a physical examination. Typically, an orthopedic in-person appointment features front-end paperwork, MRIs or X-rays, and a physical palpation examination. So, what does it mean to incorporate and address these steps in a virtual telehealth session?

What are the Protocols?

Several protocols can help virtual orthopedic visits run smoothly. Patients have to receive directions on preparing for the virtual appointment in advance. This includes ensuring they have access to a sufficient high-speed internet connection to support an uninterrupted video call and preparing for the physical space so that the doctor can easily monitor and access their movements. For instance, the patient needs to be around 6 feet from the camera for a knee injury case, which should be 2 feet off the ground level.

That’s not all. Shorts are also necessary for patients with knee injuries. They have a simple household item to use as a weight (like a stapler or a water bottle). The orthopedist will effectively evaluate the patient with this kind of prep work.

Palpating the area in a virtual session involves resistance work or self-palpations. The orthopedist coaches the patient through specific movements and accesses their mobility or lack of it while comparing one side to the other. Based on their observation, the orthopedist can share the screen and revise the patient’s already done MRIs or X-rays and have a discussion.

Final Word

Despite the power of telemedicine technology and its above-described protocol, it makes sense to make the first orthopedic session in-person and the subsequent visits virtual if the patient is okay with a physical visit.

Author securemedical
01
Apr
Date April 1, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Why Audio-only Telehealth Needs to Stay For Good

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth is not a new phenomenon but became a critical facility during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency. Telehealth is telecommunication to provide medical assistance and health education across distances. It meant that if someone could not attend a medical center in person, then it would be possible to have a consultation with a medical practitioner over the phone or video call.

Who Benefits From Audio-only Telehealth?

The use of video telehealth favors demographics with access to broadband and the use of technologies needed for video access. Research finds that people on lower incomes are more likely to use these services. In comparison, audio-only telehealth has a higher uptake as it is more accessible for most people with only a telephone required.

Common barriers that can prevent access to in-person consultations include:

  • No access to childcare
  • Lack of transportation
  • Medical provider shortages
  • Excessive wait times
  • Work commitments
  • Mobility impairment
Benefits That Reach Further Than Patient Care

You may think that telehealth is only a plus for patients. However, medical providers can save time and money using these services instead of in-patient clinics.

There is the issue of waiting rooms being a breeding ground for already ill people. Healthcare providers slash their risk of contracting illness by not being in physical contact with sick people. This means fewer doctors on ill leave annually.

Fewer personnel need to be on-site if no in-patients are present and lower overheads and supplies like sanitizers and PPE usage.

More uptake of services like these also means healthier populations and, as a result, a healthier workforce and economy.

Author securemedical
25
Mar
Date March 25, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

The Pandemic Has Underscored the Need for Telehealth Services 

Telehealth services utilization has become more prevalent in the United States of America following the surge of COVID-19 cases. This shift in sentiment was borne out of the necessity to bridge the care gap that stringent stay-at-home measures had created in the healthcare sector. Additionally, a more favorable view of telehealth services, increased supply from providers, and regulatory changes spurred the emergence of the virtual healthcare model.


Virtual care brings about increased levels of convenience and improves access to varied types of health offerings. This includes access to several states that had been previously left out of the loop. Furthermore, incorporating remote monitoring into care models has boosted health outcomes. That being said, innovations such as enhanced data flow between the major players in the space (consumers, investors, and providers) play a significant role in unlocking the full potential of telehealth services. Such innovations call for a substantial amount of investment capital into the space.


Policymakers also question the ability of the system to cut costs significantly while maintaining the quality of care that traditional hospitals provide. Despite virtual care being a relatively new concept, consumers have shown a lot of faith in its quality. Providers have also been receptive to adjusting their traditional model to incorporate the technology.


In conclusion, Telehealth has pulled its weight in stabilizing the health industry during these unprecedented times. More robust policies should be put in place to advocate for better virtual care services. This is especially important with the emergence of variant strains of the disease. Additionally, telehealth services need to be tailored to meet various patient and health provider needs. Telemedicine companies such as Ourdoctor gives patients access to 24/7 care on multiple conditions that are non-life-threatening. If you’d like to learn more, visit Ourdoctor.com.

Author securemedical
18
Mar
Date March 18, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Telehealth and Gender: Young Females Making the Majority of Telehealth Users Globally

Telemedicine usage rose by 1.015% during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a Trilliant Health report, 25.6% of the American population adopted the trend. Women, especially young females from 25 to 40 years, made up to 60% of the Telehealth users during the pandemic.

Men and older women also used telehealth services. However, this group preferred in-person visits, and their number has grown thin following the loosening restriction rules and ability to access physical doctor visits.

The case is different for young females (and has always been). A report posted on the JAMA Network Open, for instance, indicates that women within the ages of 18 to 44 preferred telehealth compared to males and patients within other age groups.

How Patients Used Telehealth Services during the Pandemic

According to the Trilliant Health report, in-person doctor visits subsided from 98.4% pre-pandemic to 70.9% during the COVID-19 peak. Of all the 25.6% percent of Americans who used telemedicine over this period, 46% used telehealth once, 14% attended seven or more virtual appointments, and 80% didn’t go beyond four visits.

Women were the biggest group in every category (single, low, average, high, and super telehealth users). Every patient had a reason for their virtual consultations, but most women sought help with stress and anxiety-related conditions.

Telehealth Beyond the Pandemic

Regulators are debating whether telemedicine should continue post-COVID-19 and at what rate. But, women have tasted and are now reluctant to let go of the convenience that comes with telemedicine.

For instance, women typically have many responsibilities, making it hard to concentrate on their mental health.

Similarly, reports indicate a higher risk of poor health, chronic illnesses, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders in female caregivers than in other groups. One of the reasons resulting from this, according to most caregivers, is the unavailability of time to dedicate to self-care. With telemedicine it gives more time to focus on ones self. To learn more and how you can get signed up for your first telehealth visit, go to Ourdoctor.com

Author securemedical
11
Mar
Date March 11, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Impacts of Telemedicine in Nursing Homes

The health care industry has been one of the most affected industries by the emergence of COVID-19. With the dangers of spreading the pandemic and the increased numbers swarming the hospitals, specific systems had to be put in place to reduce the number of people from nursing rushed to the hospital and keeping the masses protected. As a result, Telemedicine became the method of choice to ensure that these patients in nursing homes are sufficiently cared for while offering them the necessary protection.

Exploring what Telemedicine has to offer

The adoption of Telemedicine for nursing homes has both advantages and disadvantages, as witnessed throughout its use. Although some of these disadvantages might not seem as impactful, it is essential to consider them. However, on the other hand, the advantages associated with the adoption of Telemedicine in nursing homes are impactful. They have helped revolutionize healthcare in nursing homes and the health care system.

Telemedicine reduces physical movements.

The first most notable advantage of Telemedicine in a nursing home is the reduction of patients getting transported to the hospitals, which saves time and money. Transporting a resident to the hospital is traumatic and stressful to the patient. In some instances, the need for a nurse is either due to falling or a change in vital signs. Such aspects do not necessarily need a present nurse.

Helping overwhelmed hospitals

Secondly, Telemedicine helps the already overwhelmed hospitals to reduce the influx of patients in the emergency rooms. Since the emergency cases are manageable through a telemedicine call, the need to be in the emergency room reduces. Therefore, the issues that get to the emergency room will get optimum attention, and the facility will be in a better position to handle these cases.

Final Word

Telemedicine application to improve health care delivery is advisable and carries many advantages to both the institutions and the people. To learn more visit Ourdoctor.com

Author securemedical
04
Mar
Date March 4, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Telemedicine and Regulations

Virtual care and telemedicine are still at an early evolutionary stage. They still face regulatory uncertainty, low market penetration, and privacy concerns. As technology evolves, these challenges and circumstances will change.

To understand the industry’s direction, here are some notable regulatory trends.

In the US, the need for care during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed regulators to allow telehealth to be used in non-rural areas to limit people’s exposure to the virus. Telehealth became accessible to more people, and temporary codes were created to allow telehealth reimbursements in the 2021 physician schedule.

Software Regulation in Europe and US

A significant problem for the health regulatory sector has been how to regulate software used in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients. The Food and Drug Administration has taken a more liberal approach in the US. It has signaled its intention only to regulate software that could harm a patient if it malfunctions.

In contrast, the approach regulates any software as long as it benefits a patient. In the EU, the relevant laws are the Medical Device Regulation and In Vitro Diagnostic Device Regulation.

Such clarity in the regulatory approach is essential to developers, medical professionals, and hospitals.

The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the federal agency responsible for setting regulations on healthcare reimbursement. During the pandemic, they eased limitations on reimbursement to increase access to care at a time of need. Beyond the pandemic, they have continued to reduce regulations on telemedicine by improving the number of services that can be reimbursed.

The EU passed The General Data Protection Regulation in 2018 to clarify how businesses should handle personal data collected from residents in the zone. In the first 12 months after the law came into force, people sent 89000 complaints to the supervisory body. Creating such bodies is crucial because it instills confidence that misuse of personal data is punishable.

Author securemedical
28
Feb
Date February 28, 2022
Categories Case Studies

IDology Case Study

The Growth of Telemedicine: How Secure Medical Delivers a Safe and Seamless Patient Onboarding Experience

Among the many aspects of daily life impacted by Covid-19 was healthcare. A critical need, access to medical care was altered when people everywhere were quarantined to their homes. For many, telemedicine became a critical path to safely accessing care, and demand for virtual healthcare services soared. It’s easy to understand why the number of consumers relying on telemedicine skyrocketed to 46 percent in 2020, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. 

Although facilities have begun providing in-person healthcare again, the growing popularity of telemedicine isn’t expected to dwindle. Eighty-three percent of patients say they are likely to continue using telemedicine and it’s estimated that up to $250 billion of current US healthcare spending could eventually shift to virtual.  

This is great news for companies like Secure Medical, a provider of advanced telemedicine products and services since 1998. However, telemedicine also comes with challenges. Safely delivering the convenience and flexibility of telehealth amid the growing volume of cyber fraud attacks requires extra steps to protect sensitive patient data and minimize fraud risk. At the same time, the consumer-driven world we live in demands a patient experience that is fast and easy. We recently sat down with Kyle Rao, founder, and president of Secure Medical, to get his perspective on how the company balances customer experience and fraud deterrence to make telemedicine a success.

You’ve provided telemedicine for nearly a decade. What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered along the way?

In the early years, our process for identifying patient identities was cumbersome. Patients were required to fax, mail, or electronically submit identification documents. This created significant setbacks because our physicians required documentation before communicating with the patient. Once we had the documents in hand, we cross-checked the address on the patient’s ID with the billing address on their credit card. If the addresses didn’t match, the patient was required to submit additional information, which made the process even longer. Needless to say, we didn’t have a good system in place.

We also had a problem with rising chargeback fraud, which happens when consumers deliberately steal from merchants by claiming legitimate purchases are fraudulent. The people committing chargeback fraud were becoming more brazen and, in many cases, would provide all the correct information, which checked out during our verification process, and still commit the fraud. It was as if they were unaffected by the consequences of committing a crime.

Those are significant challenges. How did you overcome them?

We knew the path forward required us to find a way to digitally verify patient identities and ensure onboarding was both secure and fast. We needed to prevent patients from using stolen data, ensure prescriptions ended up in the right hands, and at the same time, deliver an outstanding patient experience. As a healthcare provider, it’s also critical that we maintain compliance with industry regulations, protect our contracted physicians and reduce the risk for the business.

We discovered IDology in 2008 and right away, it eliminated the friction and accelerated our onboarding process. IDology does the heavy lifting for us by analyzing multiple layers of identity attributes like location, activity, device, and email to validate patient identities. Behind the scenes, it uses thousands of data sources to locate and identify individuals, which allows us to verify multiple aspects of a patient’s risk profile while removing effort and enhancing their experience.

With IDology verifying identities in the background, we’ve eliminated the long process of submitting documentation before a physician consult. We only escalate to another form of verification when IDology flags a patient. Today, onboarding legitimate patients are seamless and IDology ensures anything suspicious is put to the test. I can’t see why a telemedicine provider would put a patient through the trouble of submitting documentation when the process can be this secure and simple. 

You mentioned compliance is critical for Secure Medical. How do you maintain compliance in a digital environment?  

Having a reliable identity verification platform and process in place certainly helps us maintain compliance and protect personal health information (PHI). We require customers to verify their IDs using the IDology platform, in addition to confirming key identification information. Any inaccuracies are handled directly with the patient and their provider. Our security is fortified with a multi-layered approach to patient identity verification.

Recently, a government regulator employed to test the security services of online telemedicine providers attempted to place a prescription order as a minor. IDology flagged the patient and alerted us that we should escalate to another form of verification. I know of other providers that have had their merchant accounts revoked with major credit card companies because they failed a similar test. 

Additionally, our card fraud has decreased drastically and IDology has saved us millions in chargebacks. After implementing IDology, nearly all of our credit card fraud and attempted identity theft dropped and our chargeback rate decreased from 1 percent to .013 percent, almost immediately. 

What does the future hold for telemedicine and Secure Medical?

Today, over one million consumers have used our services for safe, secure, and discreet physician consultation services and FDA-approved medications through websites including HealthyMale.com and instant telemedicine healthcare through OurDoctor.com. This year,

we will launch PillRx.com, a premium solution for pharmaceutical partners to provide affordable medication prices for everyone. Frictionless and secure identity verification will play a critical role in growing our business. 

Today and in the future, identity verification is incredibly important for safe, effective digital patient care. As the popularity of telemedicine grows and new players enter the market, the ability to provide a streamlined, safe and effective experience will be a key differentiator for Secure Medical. Without IDology, it would be impossible to establish the level of patient trust and long-term loyalty that is driving revenue and helping grow our business.  

Download the IDology Case Study
Author securemedical
25
Feb
Date February 25, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Telehealth and Weight-loss Programs

Although most individuals can lose weight, few can maintain the weight loss. Luckily, rural Americans can now keep their weight off, thanks to telehealth. Could individual videoconferencing support be the long-awaited key to keeping additional pounds at bay? Research shows that telehealth or videoconferencing technologies can effectively deliver counseling after weight loss and reinforce people in remote areas to maintain long-term weight loss.

This insightful piece highlights telehealth yielding weight-loss outcomes similar to in-person interventions, especially during a pandemic. So keep reading.

Maintaining long-term results

Most people think that health issues like obesity and overweight belong to acute care problems. And many believe that once you treat it, you have closed that chapter. But it might just be the beginning of a new weight-loss chapter. It would help if you consistently work on it, relying on other support parties for continued weight-loss success. Someone needs to be by your side to help and challenge you.

However, distance and the new COVID-19 containment measures can be natural barriers to caring for individuals living in rural areas.

Remote weight-loss management

The emergence of the ongoing pandemic has helped remove the barriers mentioned above via increased access to telehealthcare. Today, professionals deliver telehealthcare remotely through the internet or telephone.

How do telehealth counseling approaches help?

According to Michael Perri, a senior research author, the chances are high that telehealth one-on-one counseling helps through supportive accountability. Most people under such a program know their counselor will keep working with them and show them support. In addition, they are also aware that the counselor will need to know their progress from time to time.

Individual telephone counseling holds participants accountable while keeping them more engaged in obesity management behavior. That includes self-monitoring in terms of eating and physical activity.

However, telehealth group counseling tends to be not as strong as in the case of one-on-one counseling. Why? Most individuals in group sessions appear to be more reluctant to discuss their progress than their counterparts in one-on-one sessions.

Additionally, telehealth group counseling sessions often face the challenge of low attendance. Still, the good news is that the individuals who participate in the group sessions do well at maintaining their body weight.

Bottom line

Telehealth through consistent telephone-based health coaching and video conferencing with education can effectively promote and maintain weight loss. Additionally, despite the ongoing COVID-19-related challenges, these interventions can effectively lead to sustainable exercise and eating habits changes.

Author securemedical
18
Feb
Date February 18, 2022
Categories Press Releases

The Use of Telemedicine in Chronic Pain Management Care.

One of the most tangible changes the Covid-19 pandemic has brought is the steep increase in telehealth medical services or telemedicine. Many individuals living with chronic pain struggle to maintain in-person appointments due to physical inaccessibility.


Many have found themselves going without necessary care under their chronically painful lived experience, whether due to the chronic pain itself or barriers such as reliable transportation.

Other individuals with long-term health concerns face similar struggles, such as those living with disability, mental illness, and more. In all cases, barriers to care frequently involve the difficulties associated with in-person appointments.

Of course, there are clear benefits to in-person appointments; however, as the pandemic has demonstrated, telemedicine is helping to break down accessibility barriers for many across the country.

Telemedicine allows patients to connect with their physicians from the comfort of their own homes. They can see their doctors, go over their symptoms, discuss medication(s), and form treatment plans, all without the struggle and strain associated with in-person treatment.
They are seeking to capitalize on the growing trend of telehealth.

Telemedicine necessitates using a computer or laptop with a webcam. While computers have become a modern necessity, they still come with a price tag not all can afford. Telemedicine nonetheless demonstrates excellent promise in closing accessibility gaps for many across the United States with such barriers in mind.

Growing leaders within this sphere of care, particularly those treating patients with chronic pain, seek to implement and utilize the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11 pain diagnosis protocol more widely. This diagnostic protocol helps to classify pain diseases and conditions associated with chronic pain more accurately, which better informs treatment plans moving forward.

Providers hope the rise in telemedicine appointments and the greater use of the ICD 11 pain diagnosis protocol will increase both the affordability and accessibility of chronic pain healthcare services moving forward, both within the scope of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

Author securemedical
11
Feb
Date February 11, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Sleep Apnea Sufferers Seek Treatment Through Telemedicine.

About 22 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders. This is due to the limited number of clinics, living in remote areas, and a limited number of specialists. To make it worse, patients with sleep disorders have challenges accessing health care services.

Unlike before, the general population is now aware of the benefit of having a healthy sleep. Therefore, embracing telemedicine technology will help patients with sleep apnea disorder access better health care services.

Why use telemedicine for sleep apnea healthcare

Covid 19 restrictions and financial challenges are additional challenges facing the health care sector. Telemedicine has made it easier for sleep apnea patients to access these services.

How telemedicine works for sleep disorders

Telemedicine is a platform where you can meet your specialist without moving to the health center. The patients must have a mobile app on their phones or computers. Through the dashboard, the specialist can be able to;

  • Monitor the patient’s breathing and oxygen levels while you sleep.
  • Follow-up on the conditions on the patient and help the patient adjust CPAP therapy
  • Advise and prescribe the proper medication.

The benefits of telemedicine for sleep disorders

Easy access to health care

When using telemedicine, you don’t have to worry about transport costs, missed work, or child-care-related issues. Telemedicine makes patients become more actively involved in health care services before, during, and after hospitalization and avoids missing specialists care.

Time and cost-saving

The sleep disorder specialists can serve many patients at convenient times and in different locations. These reduce waiting time in the health care center. In addition, it saves the cost of moving patients from residents to the Hospital.

Allow use of Insurance cover.

Most insurance plans will cover telemedicine health care services after meeting the agreed payment. In addition, various sleep disorder health plans may require you to pay upfront and submit the bills for reimbursement.

Where to find a telemedicine provider

Telemedicine services can be accessed through online platforms or local sleep laboratories. In addition, you can liaise with your sleep specialist to set up virtual visits for sleep disorder care and therapies.

Final Remarks

Telemedicine has adversely bettered the well-being of patients diagnosed with sleep apnea illnesses. This technology has proved to be a convenient way for sleep specialists to treat and manage various sleep disorders.

Author securemedical
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