Telehealth technologies, tools, solutions, and services are essential in the healthcare sector. Doctors utilize high-resolution video-calling techniques to observe patients and communicate remotely with them.
Before delving into the various types of telehealth, it’s essential to understand the difference between telehealth and telemedicine. Jumping directly into the types without this understanding would be unfair.
What is the difference between Telehealth and telemedicine?
Telehealth covers a range of healthcare services provided remotely, extending beyond clinical care. It comprises clinical and non-clinical offerings, including education, administration, and training. On the other hand, telemedicine provides clinical services, such as consultations, diagnoses, and treatment, through telecommunications technology from a distance.
4 Major Types of Telehealth
There are various types of telehealth, each serving different purposes and meeting specific healthcare needs. Here are four common types of telehealth:
Real-Time Telehealth:
Real-time telehealth, also called synchronous telehealth, involves utilizing telecommunications technology to deliver healthcare services instantly. Various communication tools and platforms facilitate instant interactions, enabling healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients without being physically close.
Critical components of real-time telehealth include:
i)Video Conferencing
ii)Audio Communication
iii) Text messaging
- iv) File sharing
- v) Remote Monitoring devices
Store-and-Forward Telehealth:
They are also called asynchronous telehealth, a telemedicine approach that involves collecting and transmitting patient information, such as medical images, videos, or other data, from one healthcare provider to another for assessment or consultation. Unlike real-time telehealth methods like video conferencing, store-and-forward telehealth allows healthcare professionals to review the information later.
Critical components of asynchronous telehealth:
i)Patient data collection
ii)Secured data transmission
iii)Review & data analysis
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):
The primary goal of remote patient monitoring is to allow healthcare providers to track patient data in real-time, enabling timely intervention and more personalized care. This approach benefits individuals with chronic conditions, older people, or those who need continuous monitoring.
Critical components of RPM:
i)Wearable devices, Such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, to track heart rates.
ii)Sensors: To measure patient’s blood pressure, glucose level, etc
iv)EHR/EMR integration
More Trending Methods of Remote Patient Care:
Digital Clinic:
These artificial intelligence-powered medical stations are strategically placed in workplaces, schools, and malls to monitor patients remotely. Patients initiate the check-in process using an RFID card. Upon entering the digital clinic, they can utilize medical devices to assess health metrics such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and temperature. Additionally, patients can consult with doctors through a spacious LCD screen.
Mobile & Desktop Healthcare Applications:
Mobile and desktop healthcare applications for patient monitoring offer several benefits that contribute to improved healthcare outcomes, patient engagement, data accuracy, enhanced patient satisfaction, and overall efficiency in healthcare delivery. Choose your best healthcare application development company for a seamless, secure, reliable mobile app.
The utilization and accessibility of telehealth services can differ among various healthcare systems and regions. Ongoing technological advancements consistently broaden telehealth’s scope and potential applications, contributing to enhanced accessibility to healthcare services.
