Overview
We can trace the beginnings of Telehealth back to the early 1950s through the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute and Norfolk University, setting up a remote monitoring system for psychiatric patients. Since then, it has grown significantly and is now a topic of discussion with the novel coronavirus. A summary of the subject, Telehealth, describes the delivery of healthcare services through a range of options electronically via landline, mobile phones, and the internet. Initially, the goal was to bridge the gap in the provision of care for those who may be in rural communities and did not have access to healthcare providers in their respective locations. Also, this care was to create an affordable form of service for the patient regardless if they had insurance. Various healthcare segments already implement Telehealth, among the most significant users are mental health services, primary care, neurology, and substance abuse patients.
Studies by Businesswire forecasts that the telehealth industry will grow to $20.18 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of about 7.5% through the year 2024. It creates a vast opportunity for investments and innovation to develop efficient solutions in healthcare where need be. We live in a society where the quicker that we can get things done, the better it is for us. For instance, setting an appointment at a clinic then waiting for thirty minutes or more can be inconvenient for a patient. Sometimes you may need to take time off from work or even leave while you are on shift and then return to work afterward. Not everyone may be able to afford to do that.
Limitations
With these proposed benefits to the implementation of Telehealth, there are barriers to the service. In mental health, there are platforms enabling capabilities for client-provider relationships to begin or continue treatment. With restrictions lifted on specific HIPAA(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act laws, platforms such as zoom and facetime can be used for patients to meet with psychiatrists. Added to the existing communication platforms that were solely for mental health treatment, this offers a benefit as care can be more easily accessed, but also has there drawbacks we will mention later. In reaching out to one, I was able to find out that there was difficulty dealing with patients online than in-person at-first. That barrier was overcome when both parties became comfortable with the technical means, and the care can begin. In the case of specialty clinics, I was able to speak with an administrator who told me that most of their patients talk with their doctors via video conferencing or phone calls at their clinic. The only reason a patient will be in the office is if they needed surgery or if the doctor needed to communicate confidential information to that patient.
The administering of service requires a reliable internet connection; this may not be available to a segment of the population. A rise in unemployment and closed schools have made more people accessing wireless internet connections more than usual, which can slow down the overall speed for users. The connection flaws may vary state-to-state and dependent on their geographical regions. Upgrading their internet connection may not be viable if they are not in a position financially to do so. Other issues are regulatory barriers that may vary state-to-state; let's take into account the special licenses. In only nine states, medical boards are set up that allow providers to administer care via Telehealth to patients who are not in their state.
Issues may arise when conducting physical examinations. Diagnosis of conditions may be difficult when looking at a screen as opposed to seeing the patient in-person. The doctor has to make a basis on what they see, which is risky when it comes to prescriptions. If the patient does not have access to a reliable internet connection at home, it may require them to travel to a location where they can access that, which can defeat the purpose of Telehealth's proposed convenience. The website eVisit informs us from the doctor's perspective that remote monitoring of patients can require hardware and software that may not be cost-effective. A clinic may need to incur potentially high set-up costs and maintenance expenses to ensure that patient-provider communication is secure. Other obstacles for the patient will be that they may need to have access to a smartphone or a computer. These are things that can be overlooked, but not everyone can afford these devices, limiting the accessibility of the care to the population they were initially seeking to help.
Privacy Concerns
Privacy is a tremendous concern when it comes to Telehealth. Patients can be hesitant to pursue care because these platforms are capable of being hacked, causing a level of uncertainty in using care. With the use of platforms such as Zoom and Apple's Facetime, there are concerns that this platform may not be secure. Recent lifting on HIPAA laws allowed for the use of communication platforms that were previously not allowed due to the coronavirus's unraveling. Older segments of the population who are urged to stay indoors and limit contact with persons outside of their home can be at a disadvantage if they do not know how to use the Telehealth platforms.
The recent health-pandemic has undoubtedly boosted the demand for the service. Expansions in the industry resulting from funding by venture capitalists, government, and investors are looking for innovative ideas that can yield significant returns. Should we be looking forward to a life where a routine doctor visit can be a video call away? Are there any potential issues that can arise from too much technology? Can this type of innovation lower the cost of healthcare overall?