What is Video Telemedicine?

Videography telemedicine refers to the use of video conferencing technologies to deliver clinical care from a distance. Through live, interactive video connections, patients are able to virtually "see" and communicate with their healthcare providers in real-time without having to travel to a medical facility. By leveraging video conferencing capabilities, telemedicine expands access to care and reduces barriers like travel time and costs associated with in-office visits.

Advantages of VideographyTelemedicine

Improved access to specialists

Telemedicine enables patients, especially those in rural areas, to conveniently access specialized care from leading healthcare providers who may be located far away. No longer do patients have to travel long distances to major hospitals and medical centers to get consultations from specialists. Through video connections, specialists are able to evaluate patients virtually and provide advice or treatment plans. This improves access to sub-specialty and tertiary level care.

Reduced travel burdens

Requiring less travel means less time away from work or family obligations for patients. Telemedicine can help reduce transportation costs and time spent traveling to and from medical appointments. Patients find video visits more convenient as they do not have to worry about traffic, parking or long commutes. Elderly and disabled patients benefit greatly from avoiding travel difficulties.

Faster treatment

Waiting periods to see specialists can often be long, sometimes causing patient conditions to worsen before treatment begins. Telemedicine allows for faster consultations and initiation of treatment plans since patients do not have to physically travel to the specialist's office. It shortens the time between a patient being referred to when treatment actually starts, leading to better health outcomes.

Expanded connectivity in emergencies

During emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises, telemedicine assumes greater importance in keeping healthcare delivery systems functioning. When travel is restricted or hospitals get overloaded, telemedicine enables patients to access emergency care through virtual connections. It keeps providers and patients connected regardless of geographic barriers.

Video Telemedicine Modalities

Live video:

The most basic form of videography telemedicine involves live, synchronous video conferencing between patients and providers in real-time. Using equipment like computers, tablets or smartphones equipped with cameras and microphones, patients and doctors are able to see and speak to each other virtually.

Store-and-forward:

In store-and-forward consultations, medical data like patient photos, videos, lab reports or X-Rays are digitally stored and forwarded to specialists or physician consultants through a secure portal for consultation. The specialist reviews the case details at a later time and sends their recommendations back.

Remote patient monitoring:

Certain chronic conditions require constant monitoring of vital signs and symptoms. Remote patient monitoring systems equipped with tools like glucometers, blood pressure cuffs and scales electronically capture patient data and transmit it through devices to provider portals for physicians to track. This enables providers to keep tabs on patients in between office visits.

Mobile health apps:

Many telemedicine providers also have accompanying customizable mobile applications for patients. Through these apps, vital signs can be recorded and sent to providers. Patients can also access educational health resources, receive reminders and schedule e-visits and video consults.

Ways Telemedicine is Used

Specialty consultations:

Key specialties that commonly provide consultations via telemedicine include dermatology, cardiology, psychiatry, neurology, oncology and radiology. Specialists conduct medical evaluations of patients and recommend treatment plans through two-way video.

Chronic disease management:

Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma and COPD frequently require ongoing monitoring and medication management. Healthcare providers leverage telemedicine modalities to regularly track patients' health metrics and symptoms from a distance to control chronic illnesses.

Virtual visits:

For non-emergency issues like fever, colds, flu, minor injuries, rashes or follow-up appointments after procedures, patients conduct medical "visits" with their primary care physicians through live video conference instead of in-person visits.

Remote surgery:

With technologies advancing, some complex surgeries can now be performed partly or even fully remotely by surgeons guiding surgical robots. This enables procedures to be delivered from a distance with the help of on-site clinical staff working under tele-supervision and guidance.

Behavioral health services:

Counseling, therapy, psychiatry and substance abuse treatment services are increasingly being provided to patients through telehealth. Virtual modalities are helping expand access to behavioral and mental healthcare especially in underserved rural communities.

Post-acute care:

For recuperating patients, telehealth helps coordinate care continuity after hospitalizations, surgeries or emergency room visits through remote monitoring and virtual follow-ups with home healthcare clinicians and therapists until full recovery.

Benefits of Telemedicine for Providers

Widens provider network reach: By utilizing telemedicine platforms, healthcare organizations are able to expand their service areas beyond physical boundaries and provide care to more patients across wider geographies. This increases revenues from patient visits.

Improves productivity: With telehealth, providers are able to see more patients in less time since travel between patient locations is eliminated. Consultation times are also generally longer when virtual versus in-person. This enhances daily clinical throughput and billable productivity.

Reduces costs: Adopting telemedicine solutions reduces overhead costs for providers associated with maintaining brick-and-mortar facilities. Virtual care delivery also means lower no-show rates for appointments causing loss of revenue. Telehealth can help lower overall operating expenses.

Mitigates workforce shortages: Telemedicine alleviates lack of specialists in rural and remote areas by allowing existing providers to care for larger patient populations across wider areas. This helps offset provider maldistribution and lessens shortfall impacts on healthcare access.

Supports chronic disease management penetration: By enabling convenient remote monitoring services, telehealth boosts rates of treatment adherence for conditions requiring ongoing care coordination, which improves health outcomes and lowers long-term healthcare spending from complications due to non-adherence to treatment plans.

In Summary, by utilizing video conferencing tools, healthcare providers can conduct virtual appointments, diagnose medical conditions, and offer treatment recommendations, facilitating timely and convenient access to healthcare.This innovative healthcare delivery model has the potential to enhance patient outcomes, particularly in rural or underserved areas where access to medical specialists may be limited.