The healthcare landscape is changing. Technology is the main reason; nobody ever thought it would take a digital turn. Since the traditional way of healthcare has made everybody comfortable and convenient and felt like a go-to, even for healthcare providers, it has become their choice to provide care.
However, Electronic Health Records (EHR) slowly replaced the systems and made the healthcare institutions address the loopholes in their care delivery ecosystem. While accessibility being one of the major gaps that needed to be filled, the introduction of telemedicine software was successfully able to transit in-person consultations to virtual consultations.
But a complete virtual healthcare experience was nowhere to be seen, and what could be the possible solution to it?
Well, the answer was just sitting there on the wrists of our healthcare providers for a while now. Yes, combining wearable technology with healthcare software systems like custom telemedicine software, remote patient monitoring was enabled.
Complementing each other gracefully in a virtual healthcare ecosystem, both these technologies enabled better patient care practices for healthcare providers, with evidence-based practice with the use of data and a custom approached took the entire scenario a step further by streamlining the entire clinical and administrative process.
Read Also: A Complete Guide to Develop a Telemedicine App
A custom telemedicine platform with integrated RPM capabilities has become a trend and has turned into the norm in the modern-day healthcare landscape.
In this blog, let’s see how a custom telemedicine platform complements remote patient monitoring and makes a perfect pair for holistic care delivery in virtual care.
The Power of Telemedicine & RPM: Empowering Chronic Disease Management
One of the practical advantages of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring (RPM) has been seen in effectively managing chronic diseases. Since chronic patients need proactive and continuous care, providing it in a traditional setting is quite challenging.
However, with a custom telemedicine platform with remote patient monitoring capabilities enables continuous monitoring. This way real time tracking of vital signs and symptoms of the patients was possible for healthcare providers and also for patients. It empowered the healthcare providers to early detect diseases and provide better preventive care with timely interventions.
Along with that, with active updates and medication reminder features, adherence to the medication and treatment plan were improved significantly.
On the other hand, by equipping healthcare providers with all the necessary and insightful data about patient health, curating personalized care plans was possible. This resulted in data-backed care practice, which improved accuracy in treatment, reduced complications, and helped healthcare providers reach the ultimate goal of improving patient health outcomes.
Putting Patients in Control: The Benefits of Self-Care with Telemedicine & RPM
When you give your patients more control over their health, they tend to adhere to the care and treatment plan better and take proactive care. For instance, since the patients will be required to collect their health data. Their active participation in the care journey can be seen in care planning and making informed decisions. This leads to better patient engagement and at the same time increases the healthcare efficiency of the practice.
Moreover, keeping them involved in every step of their care journey encourages them to make healthy lifestyle changes. Also, the psychological impact it has also plays a crucial role in getting the expected improved healthcare outcomes.
Along with that, the convenience patients get for consultations makes the entire healthcare journey much more easier and cost-effective. It also reduces the need for in-person visits which further turns out time and cost saving ventures for healthcare providers.
Last but not the least, when you put patients in control of their health, it liberates them to proactive participate in their care journey and self-manage their health in a much better way.
Streamlining Healthcare: The Efficiency Gains of Telemedicine & RPM
Custom telemedicine platform development with remote patient monitoring capabilities provides both providers and patients a complete virtual care experience. While patients get to consult online, in the case of providers it helps them in streamlining their entire clinical and administrative processes.
For instance, with seamless EHR integration with the telemedicine platform, the data collection can be automated. Going a step further, with AI the data can be easily and quickly analyzed, reducing the gap between care delivery.
This way most of the administrative burden is reduced with automation. At the same time, with proactive patient participation, patients with high risk can be easily identified and timely interventions can be made to prevent complications.
This custom-built platform also creates an ecosystem where every member of the healthcare team is connected. This empowers them to seamlessly communicate with each other and collaborate when providing care. This results in informed decisions that play a major role in improving patient health outcomes.
Building a Solid Foundation: Technical Considerations for Telemedicine & RPM
Despite the lucrative benefits of a custom telemedicine platform with RPM capabilities, it can be ineffective and, at times, even become a burden if a solid foundation is not built. Here are a few things that you can consider to build a solid foundation for the telemedicine platform with RPM:
- Integration with EHRs: The basis of building a solid foundation lies in creating an exclusive ecosystem. This can be done with EHR integration, where seamless data exchange is encouraged, and any advancements can be shown directly in the patient records. Along with that, it also streamlines the entire workflow and improves care coordination.
- Data Security and Privacy: The healthcare industry is prone to cyber attacks, so ensuring the security and privacy of patient data is crucial. Robust security measures like APIs, encryptions, compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and other relevant regulations, as well as role-based access control, can be a good heads-up in creating a secure telemedicine platform.
- Scalability and Performance: Last but not least, the load on your virtual care infrastructure will also increase as your practice grows. To enable your software to handle that much load, you need to build your software architecture to be flexible and scalable. This will enable you to add the necessary features to your practice and can accommodate the load of growing clinical and administrative data. One of the best practices that you can have in your custom healthcare software is shifting to a cloud-based solution, which is flexible and increases the accessibility of your virtual care services.
The Future of Healthcare: Emerging Trends in Telemedicine & RPM
As technology is evolving with each passing day, the latest trends are directing the helm of the digital healthcare industry. Some of the most common trends in healthcare, especially related to telemedicine and RPM, are as follows:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: One of the major benefits of adopting AI and machine learning trends in telemedicine platform development with RPM capabilities will enable healthcare providers to automate data analysis and curate care plans on the basis of the needs and priorities of the patients. This will not only reduce costs in care delivery but also contribute to improved patient health outcomes.
- Wearable Devices and Sensors: Your smartwatch is just an example of wearable devices and sensors that enable your system to capture patient vitals, etc.; there are many such devices coming into the market with technological advancements. The devices may vary depending on the condition. This will not only enable continuous monitoring but also enable real-time alerts directly to the system to reduce the care time. On the other hand, it will also help your practice to expand the range of health parameters, which will add up to accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare: While still in the transition stage with respect to the healthcare industry, the applications of VR in healthcare can provide an elevated experience to patients and providers. For instance, it can be used as an effective tool for training, providing therapies, and even rehabilitation.
Conclusion
To enable virtual care, telemedicine and remote patient monitoring (RPM) makes a perfect match that enables healthcare providers in providing end to end healthcare services that too virtually. From consultation to remote tracking of patient vitals, telemedicine and remote patient monitoring (RPM) perfectly complements each other in providing care services.
However, to enable this, a well-designed custom platform is needed. Want to know more about telemedicine platform development with remote patient monitoring capabilities? Click here to book your free consultation and get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Telehealth is a broader term that encompasses all forms of healthcare delivered at a distance using technology. It includes telemedicine, which specifically refers to the remote delivery of medical care, such as diagnosing and treating patients. While telemedicine is a subset of telehealth, telehealth also includes non-clinical services like health education, administrative tasks, and remote patient monitoring.
The costs associated with telemedicine and remote patient monitoring can vary widely depending on factors like technology, infrastructure, and specific use cases. Some key costs include:
Hardware and software: This includes medical devices, computers, and software platforms for conducting virtual consultations and monitoring patient data.
Connectivity: Reliable internet or cellular connections are essential for telehealth and remote patient monitoring.
Training and support: Healthcare professionals may require training to effectively use telehealth platforms and interpret patient data.
Data security: Protecting patient data from unauthorized access is crucial and can incur costs for security measures.
Regulatory compliance: Adhering to healthcare regulations and standards can involve additional expenses.
Integration with existing systems: Integrating telehealth platforms with existing electronic health records and other systems may require technical expertise and costs.
Telemedicine and remote patient monitoring can be secure, but it requires robust measures. While there are potential risks like data breaches and unauthorized access, providers can mitigate these by implementing strong encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. Additionally, patients should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding their health data and ensure they are using secure platforms. Overall, the security of these technologies depends on a combination of technical safeguards and patient awareness.
There are several ways to find a telemedicine provider:
Insurance company: Check if your insurance plan includes telemedicine benefits and if so, which providers are in their network.
Online directories: Websites like Zocdoc, Healthgrades, and Doctor on Demand offer listings of telemedicine providers.
Employer: If you have an employer-sponsored health plan, they may offer telemedicine services as a benefit.
Hospital or clinic: Many hospitals and clinics now offer telemedicine services. You can contact them to inquire about availability and providers.
Online search: Use a search engine to find telemedicine providers in your area. Be sure to read reviews and check credentials before making a decision.
Future trends in telemedicine and remote patient monitoring include:
AI-powered diagnostics: AI algorithms will analyze patient data to predict illnesses and suggest treatments.
Wearable devices: Advanced wearables will monitor vital signs and detect health issues in real-time.
Virtual reality: VR will enhance telehealth consultations by providing immersive experiences.
Blockchain: Blockchain technology will ensure secure data sharing and patient privacy.
Remote surgery: Robotic surgery will enable complex procedures to be performed remotely.
For telemedicine and RPM, you’ll need:
A reliable internet connection: This is essential for video and audio consultations.
A computer or smartphone: A device with a camera and microphone.
Headphones or earbuds: To improve audio quality.
Specific medical devices (if applicable): These might include blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, or pulse oximeters, depending on the patient’s needs.
Telemedicine software: This platform facilitates video and audio consultations, as well as data sharing.
Yes, a strong internet connection is crucial for telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). High-quality video and audio are essential for effective communication between healthcare providers and patients. A weak connection can lead to delays, buffering, and disruptions, hindering the delivery of quality care. Additionally, RPM devices often rely on stable internet connections to transmit patient data accurately and securely.
Absolutely! Smartphones have revolutionized healthcare access. With telemedicine apps, you can consult doctors from the comfort of your home. RPM apps allow you to track vital signs, send data to your healthcare provider, and receive personalized guidance. It’s like having a mini-clinic in your pocket!
The availability of telemedicine visits with your regular doctor depends on several factors:
Your doctor’s practice: Whether they offer telemedicine appointments.
Your health insurance: If they cover telemedicine services.
The nature of your medical issue: Some conditions may require an in-person visit for diagnosis or treatment.
It’s best to contact your doctor’s office to inquire about their telemedicine options and discuss if it’s suitable for your specific needs.
Yes, you can get prescriptions through telemedicine in many cases. Telemedicine allows doctors to assess your condition, diagnose, and prescribe medications remotely using video or phone calls. However, certain medications or conditions might require an in-person visit.
It’s important to consult with a licensed medical professional to determine if telemedicine is suitable for your specific needs and to ensure you receive appropriate care.
Telemedicine is generally not suitable for emergency care. While it can be helpful for non-urgent medical issues, telemedicine lacks the ability to conduct physical exams, administer immediate treatments, or assess critical conditions. In an emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate in-person medical attention.
Telemedicine might be right for you if:
You live far from healthcare providers.
You have a busy schedule.
You’re managing a chronic condition.
You need to consult a specialist.
You’re uncomfortable with in-person appointments.
However, it’s important to consult with your doctor to determine if telemedicine is suitable for your specific needs.
Naveen Khanna is the CEO of eBizneeds, a company renowned for its bespoke web and mobile app development. By delivering high-end modern solutions all over the globe, Naveen takes pleasure in sharing his rich experiences and views on emerging technological trends. He has worked in many domains, from education, entertainment, banking, manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate, sharing rich experience in delivering innovative solutions.
