As we began to research our next post on telehealth, we came across this awesome article written by Christie VanHorne on the website How to Talk To Your Doctor. Basically, Christie covered everything we wanted to talk about (and more!) on the subject and she was nice enough to let us share it on our site so y’all could learn from it too! Learn more about Christie and her blog in the info at the bottom of the page, but for now, take it away Christie!
TeleHealth — Sifting Through the Noise
By: Christie VanHorne | How to Talk To Your Doctor
Many services have gone online in the current environment: from work meetings, school, and even your doctor’s visits. Telehealth has been around for a while now, but remote healthcare has taken center stage now that we are discouraged from going to hospitals as a result of COVID-19.
Medical establishments and therapists are using HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing to conduct their visits. In case you’re not familiar with HIPAA, it stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It was passed in 1996 as a federal law to protect medical records and other personal health information. If you have questions about how your doctor’s office is remaining HIPAA compliant, don’t hesitate to ask them about the system they are using and process.
Telehealth v. Telemedicine v. Telepsychiatry v. MHealth
There are all sorts of terms that come with the new telehealth revolution. What do they mean? What is the difference? Here is a crash course:
Telehealth includes a broader scope of services, including training for providers, administrative meetings, in addition to clinical services. It is an umbrella term for all the services in the field.
Telemedicine refers specifically to clinical services provided remotely. It is a safe and efficient way to get medical care from a provider without having to leave your home. Visits offer real-time conferencing between the patient and doctor.
Telepsychiatry is a subset of telemedicine that offers therapy and mental health services, often using a videoconferencing service.
MHealth or Mobile Health uses technology to monitor health information, such as patients' exercise, heart rate, and medication adherence. These apps can be beneficial in providing vital signs for doctors when you are at home.
Benefits of Telehealth
There are many benefits to telehealth. Being able to talk to a doctor from the comfort of your home can save you time, money, and increase your accessibility to care. For example, seniors who are comfortable with technology can attend appointments without having to worry about transportation — this can ease the stress of both the patient and their caregivers. There are similar benefits for those living in rural areas or with limited time or access to hospitals. By using pictures and video conferencing, care can be provided faster, with fewer barriers.
Drawbacks to Telehealth
To start with, not everyone is comfortable with computers or technology, and others may not have access to the internet. We have to consider these barriers to care for all folks, and work to advocate for access through government-funded programs and grants. Also, some experts worry that telehealth will impact the continuity of care and the benefits of long-term relationships with one primary doctor. Although, with more doctors going online since COVID-19 began, we may see this particular problem fix itself if more of our general practitioners stay online. There are also times that you need to see a doctor in person — it won’t always be an option for those experiencing new symptoms, for example.
The Telehealth Experience
Many doctors’ offices are new to this, so remember to be patient as they work through the early stages of providing care in a new way. The first step is to find out if your provider is offering the telehealth services or call a local doctor to see what the options are if you don’t have a primary physician.
I had my first telemedicine experience a few weeks ago when I needed a medication refill. After I called to make the appointment, the office emailed and texted me a link for the visit. I do recommend asking the staff what to expect when you log in. The nurse practitioner was a bit late, but the screen told me to wait, so it felt like I was in the right place. I wasn’t prepared to provide my vital signs, which I was asked for while I waited, but they were not necessary for this particular visit. Once she got online, the process was simple. She had my chart open and asked me all the same questions she would have asked if I was there. And she sent in my prescription, which was ready for pick-up a few hours later. It was easy. It saved me time.
It’s even easier if your doctor uses a web portal service. You can connect, see test results, schedule appointments. Set up your profile if it is an option.
You are new to this process, so be patient and be prepared. Be sure to have your medical history ready to share, along with questions if you have them when you make your appointment.
Here are a list of 7 questions to get you started:
Does my insurance cover telemedical services?
What can I expect from the appointment?
How does it differ from a regular appointment?
How should I prepare?
Do you have information or a guide to help me connect to your office at my appointment time?
What should I do if I have technical difficulties?
Will I need to take my vital signs? If so, what do you recommend I use?
The Future of Telehealth
Is telehealth here to stay? In a Forbes article, posted on April 8th, 2020, Dr. Fusaro discussed her thoughts on telemedicine becoming the new norm, "I think the same is going to happen here. Some of the momenta around telehealth will fall by the wayside, but I do think there will be a new normal. The way we practice health care will never be the same again."
I (humbly) agree. For a while now, I’ve been discussing the role of telemedicine for those with rare conditions. For much of my career, I have worked with women with bleeding disorders — many of them struggle to be properly diagnosed, and fail to be trusted with their medical histories and lived experiences. If they can seek care online, they will have more options to find a doctor who will believe them, and therefore have more control over their care and treatment.
Beyond COVID-19, I think we will see telemedicine used as a solution for many people, including those who live in rural areas, the aging, and for general medical practice. But the sky is the limit — it can also be used for follow-up appointments after surgeries, mental health counseling, chronic disease management, and medication refills.
I believe telehealth is here to stay.
Have you had an experience you’d like to share? Please comment below.
Additional Telehealth Resources
Meet Christie!
Christie VanHorne is the CEO of CVH Consulting, a public health consulting firm that provides training and facilitation services to nonprofit, government, and public health organizations. She is also the founder of How to Talk to Your Doctor, a project that works to improve patient and doctor communication through health literacy workshops. Christie has organized and spoken at national health conferences, trained patients and nonprofit leaders on disease management, and facilitated community coalitions to improve health outcomes. She holds Master’s Degrees in both Public Health and Education.
Check out How to Talk to Your Doctor’s website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Christie also hosts a webinar on telehealth! Check out the details below, and contact her here for more info!
TeleHealth Webinar: Making the Most of Your Appointments
Telehealth has taken center stage since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Whether you are wondering what to expect for your first appointment, or you would like tips for your next time, this webinar has something for everyone! TeleHealth is likely here to stay. Get all your questions answered and feel more prepared for your future visits.