Telemedicine allows you to discuss symptoms, medical issues, and more with a healthcare provider in realtime. Using telemedicine, you can receive a diagnosis, learn your treatment options, and get a prescription. In cases where it’s necessary, healthcare providers can even monitor readings from medical devices remotely to keep an eye on your condition. 

There are three common types of telemedicine: 

• Interactive medicine: Also called “live telemedicine,” this is when physicians and patients communicate in real-time.

• Remote patient monitoring: This allows caregivers to monitor patients who use mobile medical equipment to collect data on things like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc.

• Store and forward: Providers can share a patient’s health information with other healthcare professionals or specialists.

The difference between telemedicine and telehealth

The terms telemedicine and telehealth sound the same, but they have a definite difference between them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines telemedicine as “healing from a distance.” This gives you the freedom to receive treatment without needing to schedule an appointment with your physician or go to their office for medical services. 

HealthIT.gov defines telehealth as “the utilization of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical healthcare, patient and professional health education, public health and health administration.” Telehealth is not a service. It is a way to improve patient care and physician education. Telehealth expands beyond telemedicine, to cover non-clinical events like appointment scheduling, continuing medical education, and physician training.

This course will teach you how to set up telemedicine practice for your organization.