Telehealth services are still relatively new and controversial. There’s no denying the convenience of seeing a doctor virtually — no sitting in a waiting room, or even leaving the house — but there are also questions about the quality of care that can be obtained through a screen.
But these programs are gaining traction throughout the U.S. and Canada as patients and physicians look for new, better ways to connect. In Vancouver, patients can meet with physicians virtually with the help of a medical assistant who collects vital signs, heartbeat, lung sounds, and other data. The appointments can take place in the patient’s home, or in a nearby telemedicine clinic, and the physician speaks with the patient in real-time.
Many believe the Veterans Administration telehealth platform to be “the ideal model for telemedicine.” In 2014, they served more than 690,000 veterans through more than 2,000,000 telehealth visits. More than half of the veterans were living in rural areas with limited healthcare, so it make sense for everyone if they could obtain medical consultation virtually.
The telehealth program has a 94 per cent approval rating from patients, and reduces office visits by 34 per cent. It’s especially helpful in mental health cases, as its patients have demonstrated lower scores on post-traumatic diagnostic scales than they did prior to their telehealth sessions.
Despite the glowing reviews, not everyone is intrigued by the idea of telehealth.
Earlier this month, Arkansas rejected a bill that would have allowed physicians in the state to offer video-based care. Opponents claimed patients deserved “face-to-face” medical care, and there is still a bill under consideration that would allow telemedicine services after an in-person meeting between a doctor and patient.
The American Telemedicine Association is starting the process of establishing accreditation standards to ensure consistent service and a high standard of care. They are also working on establishing a national licensing system so telemedicine can cross state lines.
