H E ALTH & WE LLN E S S
Emerging Trends In Telehealth & Telemedicine By Gabriela Perez Orta
In the past few years, telehealth and telemedicine have become buzzwords that refer to remotely conducted medical care. Learn about how these practices affect daily life, as well as emerging trends and developments in telemedicine, to help your clients make informed decisions about their health, insurance, and plans for the future.
Defining Telehealth and Telemedicine These two terms are often used interchangeably, even though they refer to different aspects of using technology to facilitate healthcare. The American Academy of Family Physicians defines them as follows: Telehealth: This is a broad-scope term that refers to the overall concept of using remote technology to deliver healthcare services, education, ongoing patient care, and provider training. It encompasses everything to do with clinical and non-clinical activities. Telemedicine: This is a more specific term that refers to a direct provider-patient relationship. It encompasses remote medical care delivered using technology like phones, computers, and tablets. Direct care, such as appointments, diagnoses, and follow-up care involving providers and patients, falls into this category. For example, if you use your tablet to attend a doctor’s appointment on a medical platform, this is an example of telemedicine. When your doctor uses technology to consult with other specialists or uses AI data to remotely monitor your health, these are examples of telehealth.
5 Emerging Telehealth and Telemedicine Trends It’s important for both patients and providers to understand telemedicine and telehealth trends — and it’s especially crucial for professionals in the insurance field to be able to communicate their benefits. Familiarize yourself with the following concepts to have informed, productive conversations with current and potential clients.
