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Tag Archives: coronavirus

18
Nov
Date November 18, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

How Relaxed Rules for Opioid-Related Telehealth Impacts Lives. 

Opioid overdose remains a massive threat to the population, with tens of thousands of people dying yearly. This is why doctors working with patients experiencing opioid use disorder across the country continue to vouch for telehealth rules to remain flexible, especially ones about opioid addiction and use. Maximizing telehealth resources create a link between patients struggling with opioid use and the health they so desperately need.

Before the pandemic began in 2020, medical practitioners had the authority to prescribe certain drugs only after physically interacting with the patient. This included medications like methadone and buprenorphine, which were popularly known as opioid disorder medications. When the pandemic reached its climax, in-person visits to health facilities became limited and monitored. Most opioid patients would not get the help they required fast enough. To deal with this challenge, the existing laws were reconfigured to allow telehealth visits and prescriptions for controlled substances.

The simplistic nature of transaction using telehealth methods have made it easier to get help from far and wide. The issue remains the temporary nature of the rules surrounding controlled substance prescriptions. In a few months, when the government reverts to the physical visit rules, telehealth for opioid treatments becomes a thing of the past, and treatments become harder to fulfill. Because doctors will no longer be able to use video or online meetings to prescribe buprenorphine, the risk of opioid-related addictions ad deaths might increase again.

Conclusion

Doctors understand the risk tied to opioid usage. This is why they hope the government will maintain the current stance on telehealth and controlled drug prescriptions. After all, isn’t the essence of medicine to save lives? Allowing telehealth to continue functioning for buprenorphine and other controlled drugs should be a given.

Author securemedical
14
Nov
Date November 14, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Transforming Telehealth for Older Adults

As the medical field continues to grow and evolve, research has proven that telemedicine providers are yet to fully tap into giving high-quality services. The industry is flooded with people who need these healthcare services; older adults will significantly benefit from such accessibility.
As part of the research process, the solution is for telemedicine providers to adhere to existing guidelines and set a higher bar in terms of services to ensure that older adults receive the best healthcare services possible.
There needs to be an improvement in the industry to reach older populations. When Covid struck, and physical meetings became taboo, the vulnerabilities within the telemedicine branch of healthcare became glaring. The system needs to redefine itself to serve its patients effectively in the future.
Studies and reports have shown how people over 65 interact with telemedicine but encounter challenges because of technical challenges and issues that hinder its availability.
What solution is offered to deal with this challenge? The answer provided is threefold, researches have suggested that telehealth systems need to be more people-centered to ensure all patients feel heard and connected. Secondly, the service needs to be equitable, inclusive, and accessible to people of all backgrounds and with all ailments and conditions. Lastly, the system must be integrated to incorporate each patient’s complete health plan to ease communication with practitioners and get the required help. At the same time, it is essential to equip practitioners with the necessary telemedicine skills to handle older adult patients.
As times change, telemedicine is becoming a focal point in medicine. The proper measures can help to break into the industry to provide the best and most available services for the older adults, who constitute the majority.

Author securemedical
24
Oct
Date October 24, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Importance of Telehealth in Post-Surgery Care

The telehealth benefits are becoming more apparent daily as more people in rural communities access this innovative technology. It’s also becoming a more common part of post-surgery care for patients. This new system has already shown great promise for serving these communities and will play an essential role in the future.

New study findings show that patients offered virtual care before and after surgery are much more likely to attend their appointments than those who rely solely on in-person visits. Regular checkups at the clinic keep patients from needing emergency care, often sought after when their illness has worsened significantly.

Telehealth is helpful in the following areas: Maintaining contact with one’s health care provider to receive timely care before and after surgical procedures results in an increase in the level of care provided, a decrease in the overall costs incurred by the patient, and an increased likelihood the patient will achieve and keep a higher level of health.

What Causes No-Show Visits Among Patients?

The lack of reliable transportation is the leading cause of missed patient appointments. Healthcare providers can reach out to patients who, in other circumstances, would face difficulty gaining access to the healthcare system through telemedicine.

Telemedicine initiatives such as giving training to patients and providing more low-tech options, including audio-only, are more straightforward options. This is especially true for patients who stay far away from health facilities.

Author securemedical
10
Oct
Date October 10, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

The Future Could Be Telemedicine: Significant Trends

The Future of Telemedicine is Here!

Technology is changing the medical scene, and it is happening fast. Various remarkable telehealth trends continue to promote effective care coordination and patient involvement. These services have also made it easier for patients to adjust to the new norm of virtual meetings and remote operations without undermining the quality of services. It is interesting to see that more stakeholders are taking it a notch higher to add to the transformation of the health sector through telehealth services. For example, predictions indicate that the FDA will likely allow more self-test products. Additionally, the regulatory bodies incorporate virtual site visits and invest in more robust quality systems to contribute to the ongoing trends.

Significant Trends in Digital Health care.

There is certainly plenty of digital solutions to look forward to regarding telehealth. Integrating AI, machine learning, and sophisticated security features have contributed considerably to the rise in numbers. The revenue stream has changed the language into things we did not see a few years back. Some notable contributions of technology include

  • Digital Self- service

The selling point of telehealth remains in its accessibility to both patients and doctors. The development of innovative medical devices and applications such as smart watches, blood glucose monitors, and fitness trackers provide feed databases with helpful information for improved patient care. Also, innovations like the digital twins help keep track of vital information and promote quality healthcare by supporting decision-making.

  • In Silico medicine

Treatment testing on animals and humans may soon be a thing of the past thanks to in silico computational models and simulations. This technology empowers researchers to evaluate and improve new devices in various clinical environments within a shorter time while ensuring safety.

  • AI, Cloud, and IoT infrastructures

AI, Cloud, and IoT-based infrastructures are not new to other industries. Although creeping in conservatively, these principles are expected to bring new possibilities. For example, AI models could help achieve the extremes, such as delivering feedback from the brain to restore lost body functions such as touch for paralyzed persons. We can see a quality restoration from connecting medical devices via the Cloud to having your data everywhere.

Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Telemedicine may not have been a new concept in the medical field before the onset of Covid-19, but it has undoubtedly revolutionized operations in various field sectors. However, the pandemic only jump-started a faster drive into the future through these telehealth solutions.

Author securemedical
23
Sep
Date September 23, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Effects Of Telehealth Services On ER Visits For The Disabled

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth healthcare is administered through technology. This connects patients and health providers without the need for face-to-face appointments. Telehealth can be used in various ways, including video conferencing, emailing medical records, or using an app to make appointments.

How Telehealth Services Reduces ER Visits For The Disabled.

Telehealth services reduce ER visits for the disabled by allowing them to get medical care without going to an in-person appointment.

One of the most significant benefits of telehealth services is that they can help reduce emergency room visits for the disabled. Telehealth services give doctors and nurses a way to communicate quickly with patients, which means they can offer healthcare more timely. This can help prevent ER visits and reduce wait times in the ER when needed.

Telehealth services are increasingly used to treat patients with disabilities, and the results are promising. The most common reason people visit emergency rooms is acute illness or injury. Statistics show that the disabled are especially likely to frequent emergency department and hospital visits. Telehealth services are catching up in providing health care consultation to these individuals in an affordable manner.

It can be challenging for disabled people to get the care they need. The most common reason disabled people visit the emergency room is that they need to gain access to the necessary maintenance at specific times.

Telehealth services are changing all of that. By allowing patients to connect with specialists remotely, telehealth will enable patients who otherwise might have to wait hours in the ER or be admitted for a hospital stay to receive quick and effective care from their homes.

This means fewer visits to ERs, which means less congestion and less wait time for everyone else.

A study by Columbia University found that telehealth services can reduce ER visits by an average of 6%. This is because when patients have access to telehealth, their doctor can prescribe the necessary medication without meeting the patient in person.

It is also an excellent way for disabled people who live in remote areas or in rural communities where doctors are hard to come by to get easy access to healthcare without having to travel long distances.

Conclusion.

The effects of telehealth services on ER visits for the disabled are mainly positive. The study shows that in areas where telehealth is more prevalent, there is a lower rate of emergency room visits for the disabled, which means fewer hospital stays and lower costs.

Author securemedical
12
Aug
Date August 12, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

Telehealth Implementation For Weight Loss and Cardiovascular Health Management

Cardiovascular diseases are some of the most prevalent conditions among patients globally. The leading cause of this health crisis is obesity and sedentary living. Patients do not appreciate the significance of maintaining a healthy weight by staying active and engaging in workout routines. Telehealth is a potential technology whose implementation can assist in weight management to reduce cardiovascular complications among patients.

The Role of Telehealth in Weight Loss

The rise of technology and its applications in various industries, including healthcare, has created an opportunity for care providers to provide medical intervention to patients virtually. Telehealth is a technological healthcare advancement that involves virtually passing knowledge between clients and clinicians. Telehealth is an excellent innovation providing efficiency and convenience while managing chronic illnesses like obesity and cardiovascular complications.

How Does Telehealth Work?

Patients with weight problems can discuss their concerns with a physician electronically. An initial face-to-face consultation is preferable but not necessary. Patients should consult their concerns with a physician through social media. An initial consultation helps the physician develop an appropriate treatment plan.

The main benefit of implementing electronic health records through telehealth is physicians’ faster access to patient information. Patients undergoing weight management treatments may leverage wearable devices and wireless scales to help their physician to track their vitals virtually. This system also provides convenience to patients by eliminating the need for transport costs allowing them to receive treatment from the comfort of their homes.

Electronic health records are a crucial element necessary for health care transformation. Patients with chronic illness require close interaction with their physicians to appreciate how their condition is progressing. Telehealth offers an alternative option to regular clinic visits. This innovation eliminates the need for physical face-to-face meetings.

Telehealth can have a tremendous impact in reducing the cardiovascular health crisis affecting most patients. However, a lack of awareness affects the scalability of this healthcare strategy. Patient and staff education should involve the significance of telehealth to enhance the implementation of the healthcare practice.

Telehealth is an area of healthcare that promises significant improvement in patient outcomes and efficiencies. Further research in the area will give insights into challenges affecting the scalability of this healthcare system. Health care institutions should appreciate the significance of further study in the field.

Author securemedical
29
Apr
Date April 29, 2022
Categories Telemedicine

About Telemedicine for Migraine and It’s Benefits 

Telemedicine offers patients the opportunity to virtually meet with migraine health specialists who live far away or outside their region. Medical research on migraine and telemedicine has discovered that this process of administering medicine or consultation is effective.

The Benefits of Telemedicine for Migraine Patients

· Reduce Financial Costs

Telemedicine, also known as virtual healthcare, is more affordable for migraine patients. It is a digital knockoff compared to in-person migraine medical care. When appropriately used, it reduces cost and increases patients’ health. It also offers easy migraine care accessibility and is more equitable to 78% of adults globally and 89% of American adults that uses smartphones, even adults in low medically served areas and communities.

· Offers Migraine Patients Quick Access to the Best Medical Specialist

Patients with complex and obscure migraine problems frequently find themselves living in nightmares. There are always fears and pains that they may be having a rare disease and more frustrating about finding the right medical specialist. This frustration may lead a patient from a local physician to the next, wasting time sitting through an unproductive medical appointment. Telehealth provides a better solution. It connects the migraine patients with the best, most knowledgeable, and most experienced care specialists regardless of where they practice.

When to use Telehealth for Migraine?

The most important part of migraine diagnosis involves symptoms and careful medical history evaluation. This process can be covered effectively during the telehealth consultation session. Patients can use telehealth for migraine if they have issues or concerns after managing the condition or starting treatment.

How Does a Patient Prepare for A Telehealth Visit for Migraine?

Just as you would prepare for an in-person appointment, it’s equally essential to adequately prepare for a virtual health visit. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

· Get acquainted with the technology you’ll be using during the consultation. Get help if you need assistance in using the technology.

· Be sure you have privacy while getting ready for your appointments to avoid interruptions from people around.

· Make such you have good internet access to prevent connection problems during the consultation.

· Prepare your question by writing them down before your medical appointment starts.

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
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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