Technology has already taken over the world. The labor force is drastically reduced, and the majority of the work has become automated now. However, software has played a vital role in this era of technology.
All the tasks carried out using technology are performed through a set of instructions known as software. Software programs instruct the computer or run on a set of specific rules to perform a respective task.
In computer sciences, software has been a source of great help in engineering, science, and healthcare. Healthcare is one of the fields in which software has taken over, especially Telehealth Software Development.
Here is what you need to know about this growth in technology and software and its relation to telehealth.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the modernized health care system where technology and the health care system works collaboratively in a much more holistic way. Recall that telehealth is the use of basic types of communication together with technological devices such as computers, mobile phones, etc., to access the health care system and manage your health.
Examples of telehealth
Managing health using telehealth has become much more manageable. People set different goals to manage lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. In addition to this, many have benefited from overcoming obesity using telehealth too.
You can consult a physician using the telehealth system of hospitals too. Few examples of using telehealth include using a mobile app to manage your dietary habits, learn exercises, and control insulin levels. In addition to this, using telehealth, you can get over-the-counter medicines online. Getting a notification about vaccine booster or flu shot.
Since COVID has invaded the world, telehealth has been of significant use. People fear going to the hospitals for minor illnesses. They think that they might have more issues as they may interact with others who may have other communicable diseases. Hence, virtual appointments have taken over significantly. Virtual selections include consulting a doctor and getting feedback from a nurse and pharmacist. However, virtual appointments are only scheduled for minor illnesses which can be treated virtually.
Remote health monitoring is also an example of telehealth. Many technologies help your health care professionals monitor your health through the telehealthcare system. Remote monitoring includes wearable devices that help monitor blood pressure, sugar level, and oxygen saturation and transfer them to respective departments. Moreover, many web-based devices allow you to upload your daily information as well.
Through telehealth, doctors can consult other doctors to provide better opinions to their patients. For example, radiologists consulting orthopedic specialists and physicians consulting surgeons.
The Types of the Telehealth Software System
Here are the types of telehealth software.
Facility-based telemedicine software.
Facility-based telemedicine software is one of the oldest types of telehealth software. It aims to provide the best facility for doctors and providers according to the situations of the patient. It aims to provide help to those doctors virtually at home, at the clinic, or another hospital.
An example of facility-based telehealth software is allowing radiologists and other specialists to work remotely but not directly interacting with the patients.
Doctor (MD) focused on telemedicine software
This software is a virtual version of what happens when you go to a clinic. In doctor-focused telemedicine online software, the doctor performs a diagnosis for a patient virtually. The doctor examines many patients back-to-back virtually, waiting in a waiting room, and prescribes medicine.
However, patients in this type of telemedicine software include patients having no prior experience or pre-existing relationships with the doctor. Instead, most of the patients join this software on the recommendation of their insurance company, an employer, or through google.
Examples of these types of software
Mental health-focused Teletherapy software
Mental health is one of the most growing psychological issues, irrespective of age, gender, and geographical location. However, there is not much done regarding the people going through mental health disorders or any psychological disorder.
In most cases, therapy is recommended; however, in severe cases, therapy with medication is often prescribed. Apart from the management of mental disorders, one thing which has proved beneficial for mental health is having someone to share anything with or having a good listener by your side.
Mental health-focused teletherapy software provides a professional counselor to listen to the patient. In addition to this, the counselor aims to note every query the patient has and answer it systematically.
Features included in mental health-focused teletherapy include the one usually observed in EHR and billing software. This is because these features operate through separate individuals.
Business meeting software repurposed for telehealth
Much generalized software is now being utilized as telehealth software. Software tools like Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and many more can be used for any common purpose or a meeting, but since the global pandemic has begun and work from home has become a ritual, these software have gained much popularity generally.
Although these software doesn’t have anything that especially complements the telehealth software system, there has been additional support to have a group meeting or discussion.
Store and forward telemedicine
Coordination amongst doctors is essential for a patient’s health. Often, we are referred to another doctor by the doctor we consult; telemedicine plays a critical role in this situation.
Store and forward telemedicine is a technology that gathers the data for a specific patient, including blood pressure, sugar level, electrolytes, and vitals, stores the information, and then forwards it to other faculty for analysis and evaluation. Usually, emailing is the mode of communication utilized in-store and forward medicine.
Store and forward telemedicine software are often brought into practice before surgeries when patient history is taken and forwarded to respective surgeons.
Telehealth is Here to Stay
Conclusively, telehealth software has many benefits as they have contributed much to the existing healthcare system. Existing telehealth software has generated curiosity among new health care entrepreneurs to provide services of their own through this software. In addition to this, telehealth software has brought immense ease to doctors and patients as they have greatly enhanced the interaction between both. Recall that telehealth software is improving interactions with minimal costs too.
Moreover, these software’s are also teaching patients to become independent and teaching them self-care. For instance, many people are aware of measuring their sugar level and blood pressure and uploading information on web pages. More people are unable to afford expensive doctor’s appointments, especially the ones living in rural areas. Hence, telehealth software has benefited them the most.
We have acknowledged many benefits and types of telehealth software, but there are certain limitations too. The staff, including the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and technical staff, requires special training to operate this software. In addition to this, a huge sum is needed to be invested in establishing this software too.
Operating everything virtually will significantly reduce in-person consultations. Moreover, specific diagnoses cannot be made virtually, for example, diagnosis for skin diseases and hair problems. Hence, telemedicine software does not help in such cases.
Human error can easily be made through these software. Case shuffling can be drastic in telemedicine as medicines for one patient can have adverse effects for the other patient. In addition, telemedicine software involves patients uploading their information or filling forms for their existing condition. Still, they can be of great help to doctors.