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Telehealth is defined as the transfer of medical information through electronic means to improve the health of the patient. The state allocates millions of dollars for the development of Telehealth to improve medical care for people living in rural areas. Despite the relatively long history of use and rapid technological progress in the field of telemedicine technologies, no randomized studies to determine the true efficacy and cost-efficiency of the Telehealth approach have been carried out (Eren & Webster, 2015). However, the increasing use of telemedicine in routine medical practice can change the quality of care provided to patients ensuring an individual approach to care provision that takes into account the patient’s lifestyle.
Telehealth may have a positive effect on traditional and non-traditional HSOs as it allows remote monitoring of the status of patients with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes, asthma, certain heart diseases) and advising those who do not need an ambulance and immediate hospitalization. In addition, it allows specialists from all over the world or across the states to share their expertise. One of its main advantages is the ability to assist people in remote locations (Lustig, 2012). Also, in perspective, telemedicine enables reducing the cost of medical consultations significantly. Another benefit for the health care institutions is the impossibility of transmission of infectious diseases with this method of interaction between a doctor and a patient (Eren & Webster, 2015). It is worth noting that the psychological aspect shall be considered as well: many patients do not feel comfortable being in a hospital, but modern technology allows avoiding frequent personal consultations, which is beneficial for the specialists as well.
However, there are several disadvantages of utilizing Telehealth from the point of view of care providers and administration. For instance, expensive equipment is needed if a hospital is planning to conduct serious surgical or other operations. The training of medical staff who has to be able to use the expensive equipment properly also requires spending money, and, most importantly, there is an increased risk of medical errors (Emeli-Komolafe, 2014). Further on, in the case of remote consultation, it is often impossible to start treatment immediately (for instance, to vaccinate the patient).
Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that when utilizing the synchronous (for example, videoconferencing) and asynchronous (call from a doctor when he/ she has analyzed the data from the photo sent by the patient) Telehealth, the corresponding information can be transmitted in various forms such as texts, audio files, videos or images (Emeli-Komolafe, 2014). These two main approaches to Telehealth can be applied to a wide range of services in a variety of conditions including teledermatology, telepathology, teleradiology, and they are less expensive means compared with high-tech equipment. Thus, the question of cost-efficiency is debatable (Lustig, 2012).
In conclusion, access, equity, quality, and cost-effectiveness are key issues related to the implementation of Telehealth. Important questions remain whether telemedicine is a cost-effective solution as in areas where resources are limited, the main priority is to meet the basic health needs of the population, and no complex equipment is needed. The use of mobile phones and other available devices on the initiative of experts evidence that clinicians appreciate Telehealth. However, it also reflects the fact that the implementation of telemedicine services should be commensurate with the existing infrastructure and the potential of ICT of traditional and non-traditional HSOs. With a shortage of resources such as electric power, access to communication systems, and trained medical staff, Telehealth initiatives should be aimed at using these resources as efficiently as possible.
References
Emeli-Komolafe, J. (2014). Telehealth, telemedicine or electronic health simplified. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris Corporation.
Eren, H., & Webster, J. (2015). The e-medicine, e-health, m-health, telemedicine, and telehealth handbook. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.
Lustig, T. A. (2012). The role of telehealth in an evolving health care environment – workshop summary. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
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