Swiss Medical Group

Fernando Rolandi

Telehealth, sometimes called telemedicine, is the use of communication technologies to provide health care from a distance. These technologies include computers, mobile phones, video conferencing devices, the Internet, and other types of wireless communications. Some examples of telemedicine include:
• A "virtual visit" with a healthcare professional via phone or video call
• Remote Patient Monitoring – Allows your provider to monitor you while you are at home. For example, using devices that monitor heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, and the information is monitored online by your provider
• In a more complex setting, a surgeon using robotic technology to perform an operation from a different location.
• Send a message to your health professional through your electronic health record to be able to interact and ask questions.
• Watch an online video your provider sent you on how to use an inhaler or some type of medical product that requires training by your health care professional.
• Receive reminders by email, phone, or message that you have a scheduled appointment for a medical exam

What is the difference between telemedicine and telehealth? The term telemedicine is sometimes used to refer to telehealth. Telehealth is a broader and more complex term. It includes telemedicine, but it also involves things like training for health professionals, health care administrative meetings, and services provided by pharmacists and social workers.

"Telehealth is a broader and more complex term. It includes telemedicine, but it also involves things like training for health professionals, health care administrative meetings, and services provided by pharmacists and social workers"

What are the benefits of telehealth? Some of the benefits of telehealth include:
• Receive care at home: Especially for people who do not have easy access to the offices of their health professionals • Avoids the transfer of patients to clinics or medical centers
• Receive care from a specialist who is in another location
• Receive after-hours care
• Increased communication with your health care providers • Better communication and coordination between health care providers
• Increased support for people managing their health conditions, especially chronic illnesses like diabetes • Lower cost, as virtual visits can be cheaper than in-person visits

What are the problems with telehealth? Some of the problems with telehealth include:

 • If your virtual visit could be with a health professional who is not your regular provider, he or she may not have all your medical history.
 • After a virtual visit, you may need to coordinate your care with your regular provider
• In some cases, the provider may not be able to make the correct diagnosis without examining you in person, or your provider may need you to come in for a lab test
• There may be problems with the technology, for example, if you lose connection or there is a problem with the software, among others
• Some insurance companies may not cover telehealth visits

What kinds of care can I get using telehealth? The types of care you can receive using telehealth may include:

• General medical care, such as wellness visits
• Prescriptions for medication
• Dermatology (skin care)
• Eye exams
• Nutritional advice
• Mental health counseling
• Urgent care for some conditions, such as sinusitis, urinary tract infections, or common skin rashes, among others

As with in-person visits, for telehealth visits it is important to be prepared and have good communication with your healthcare professional.