After the pandemic, there was social distancing, and patients could not easily get treatment in the hospital. The healthcare industry introduced telemedicine software, a new approach for healthcare professionals to continuously provide quality services for their patients.
Telemedicine is the process of using technology for the provision and receiving of medical care and advice from the comfort of your home or wherever you are in the world. This process provides patients with access to healthcare services without exposure to infectious diseases.
In this blog, Unify Medicraft will take you through the benefits and features to look for in telemedicine software. We will also explain how healthcare providers use telemedicine.
What is Telemedicine Software?
Telemedicine software is a tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate and provide healthcare services to patients remotely. Telemedicine encompasses patient diagnosis, medication, treatment, and management virtually. This software has applications like audio/ video conferencing, website portals, and patient education resources.
Telehealth software has opened doors for healthcare professionals to give services to patients that are far from them. It also helps both patients and healthcare providers save time and travel costs.
Different Types of Telemedicine Software
Over the years, there have been many telemedicine software developed to cater to the needs of patients across the world. Written below are some of the most popular software are listed below;
Synchronous Telehealth
Synchronous Telehealth allows communication in real time through online video or audio connections. Healthcare providers use this telehealth software to interact with patients and discuss ongoing medical queries and symptoms.
Asynchronous Telehealth
Asynchronous telehealth is the opposite of synchronous telehealth as patients and healthcare professionals exchange information at different times. The software uses features such as messenger chat services, patient submission of photos or scans, and out-of-consultation analysis of diagnostic materials to provide care.
Telehealth software gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to communicate virtually with their patients through video and voice calls or mobile applications, and an online portal.
Important Features to Consider Before Buying Telemedicine Software
Telemedicine software has become a necessity in the healthcare industry even though it feels strange when used for the first time. But many patients get used to it and prefer the software to the traditional doctors' appointments and consultations over time.
According to statistics, the use of software for telehealth has increased by 1,300% between 2019 and 2022, and the percentage has been predicted to increase over the years. With this discovery, it's no surprise many healthcare professionals are integrating the software into their daily practice.
Now, the question is how can healthcare professionals know the best one that will suit your needs? Well, Unify Medicraft is here to help you out. We have listed below important features you should consider before buying telemedicine software.
Video Conferencing Capability
Telehealth software is incomplete without an adequate video conferencing capacity as it allows interactions between healthcare professionals and their patients in real time. Every patient wants to feel heard, seen, and understood and that is what video conferencing provides. It also increases engagement and satisfaction throughout the treatment process.
Having this feature in telehealth software allows healthcare professionals to reach out to their patients when they detect any irregularities in the test.
This process ensures the patient’s health is secure and avoids any health decline.
Secure Messaging
Using telehealth software means patients will be sharing sensitive personal health information with their doctors, and no one wants this information to get into the hands of another person. This means the information must be fully secured and protected.
As a healthcare professional, choosing software that provides data encryption, secure communication protocols, and multi-factor authentication that minimizes cyber threats is very important. Do not forget to also select software that adheres to HIPAA and SOC-2 guidelines to avoid penalties.
EMR integration
You do not have to increase your staff's administrative tasks when introducing new software for telehealth to your practice. To avoid this, you must choose software that provides seamless EMR integration.
The software must be able to combine patient monitoring protocols into existing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems. This also saves your staff members time and effort since all processes happen on one software.
Patient Scheduling
Providing an easy method for your patient to schedule an appointment while using telehealth software reduces frustration and faster access to medical care. You do not want your patient to wait for days or weeks before booking an appointment with you.
Healthcare professionals can also provide available time slots so patients can choose a convenient slot that works better for them.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring is when healthcare professionals use technology to monitor a patient's condition without being in close proximity to them. Below is part of the importance of having remote patient monitoring features in your software :
- - Improve healthcare providers' clinical decision.
- - Allows patients to self-manage without going to the hospital.
- - Accurate treatment monitoring.
- - Reduce the money patients for medical care.
- - Increase the work efficiency of clinical staff.
- - Increase patient satisfaction, and trust
How Healthcare Providers Use Telemedicine
Telemedicine is the process whereby healthcare providers make use of electronic information and communications technologies to provide healthcare services virtually for their patients. The use of telemedicine is limited to a few healthcare providers, rather it can be used by both primary and specialty healthcare providers.
Below are some of the ways telemedicine is used by healthcare professionals.
- - Remote Consultations : video conferencing, phone calls, and messaging apps are available for patients to speak with their healthcare providers virtually.
- - Remote Monitoring : Healthcare providers can use wearable devices to monitor the health of patients receiving treatment for chronic conditions. This device sends their data to their healthcare provider who then checks for any issues and adjusts patient treatment plans accordingly.
- - Prescription Refills : When a patient's drug finishes, they do not have to wait for days to refill. Patients can use the telemedicine software to ask for a prescription refill within seconds.
- - Second Opinion : Having multiple consultation options when dealing with a medical condition is a great advantage for patients. With telemedicine software, patients can now consult other healthcare specialists remotely to be sure they are being treated correctly.
- - Mental Health Services : For patients dealing with mental health, telemedicine is useful for receiving counseling and therapy from the comfort of your home.
Key Considerations When Selecting Telemedicine Software
Using the right telemedicine software for your practice will make a huge difference in the way your staff functions and patient satisfaction.
So here are some of the key considerations when selecting telemedicine software.
Pricing
As a healthcare provider, you must consider your budget before choosing telemedicine software. Ensure the software charges align with your budget, so you do not put your revenue at risk .
Also, ask the provider questions and do your research to ensure there is no hidden fee, such as unexpected upgrades or maintenance payments. Furthermore, check their software review online and ask your fellow physicians in the industry for referrals.
Secured and HIPAA Compliance
Personal information is shared on telemedicine software and when not protected can be taken by a third party. Therefore, healthcare providers must ensure the software they choose is fully secured with vital cybersecurity protocols to protect patient data. Also, all your customer's data are encrypted and can only be accessed with authorization.
HIPAA compliance is crucial for adhering to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. This feature ensures your practice complies with industrial regulations to avoid fines or penalties.
User-friendliness
Telemedicine software must have an easy-to-use interface to allow patients and clinicians to want to use them. The software must be prompt to avoid technical issues like bugs and application crashes. The interface must also continuously improve to suit the customer's needs.
Customer Support
Telemedicine software must provide 24/7 customer support to ensure customer satisfaction.
Why is Telemedicine Important?
Patient Comfort and Satisfaction
Telemedicine has eradicated the long hours of driving or traveling to see a doctor. You can now do that from the comfort of your home without waiting in line for your turn or driving to the doctor’s office.
Reduce Administrative Task
Telemedicine is solving the issue of the administrative burden on healthcare professionals that makes it harder to get to the core of their job: keeping people healthy.
Easy Healthcare Accessibility
Telemedicine has ensured healthcare is accessible to patients anytime, anywhere. It has given patients who are busy or old people living in rural areas beter ways to keep their health in check.
Telehealth vs Telemedicine
Telemedicine software is a subset of telehealth used by healthcare professionals to communicate and provide healthcare services to patients remotely. It involves sending video files to patients to show physical therapy exercises, submission of scans through a patient portal to support diagnosis, and remote blood-glucose or blood-pressure monitoring.
Telehealth on the other hand involves various aspects of remote healthcare. These include non-clinical uses of video conferencing for training, public health education, administrative meetings, and electronic information sharing. Telehealth is generally used to support a patient's health journey.
What is White-label Telemedicine?
White-label telehealth is software that healthcare providers purchase from a service provider and customize with their branding. It has flexible features that support scalability as a healthcare provider's business grows and evolves. These telehealth platforms give providers the option of customizable software for their practice without building their own.
FAQs About Telemedicine Software
Why is Unify Medicraft the Best Platform for Telemedicine (telehealth)?
Unify Medicraft software is an affordable, efficient way to improve your practice and have a smooth process remotely for your patient.
Can Your Telemedicine Software Help Support My HIPAA Compliance?
HIPAA-compliant telehealth software helps you stay compliant with flexibility and satisfactory patient care.
Does Insurance Cover Telemedicine?
Yes, many insurance companies cover telemedicine services. However, coverage varies depending on your insurance provider and plan.
How Does Telemedicine Work?
Telemedicine is used to provide healthcare services to patients without the need to be physically present.