Telehealth vs Telemedicine(Examples, Benefits, Use, Pros & Cons)

When we think of health care, most of us think of office visits or trips to the emergency room. Whether it’s a routine exam, lab test, outpatient procedure, or major surgery. It’s the norm for patients and caregivers to leave their homes. (Often sitting in traffic jams or rushing from work) to see their doctor at a medical facility in one of them. species. But things are changing. Now lets discuss about Telehealth vs Telemedicine with examples.

What is Telehealth?

Concerning health information services, health education, and health services in a broad sense, the term telehealth is all-encompassing. Telecare and telemedicine are generally included in the broader term telehealth. Examples of telehealth include health education services, remote monitoring of vital signs, EKG, or blood pressure. And remote doctor-patient consultations (telemedicine). In addition to the ability to remotely detect fluctuations in a patient’s health at home. Telehealth technology also enables remote diagnosis and evaluation of patients. So that medications or specific therapy can be adjusted accordingly. It also enables the electronic prescribing of drugs and remotely prescribed treatments.

What is Telemedicine?

This term has a narrower scope than the term telehealth. More specifically, it refers to distance education and the provision of health services using telecommunication technologies. Telemedicine mentions the use of information technology. And electronic communications to offer remote clinical services to patients. Digital transmission of medical imagery, remote medical diagnosis, and estimation. And video consultations with specialists are examples of telemedicine.

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What’s the Difference Between Telehealth vs Telemedicine?

Telehealth differs from telemedicine in that it refers to a broader range of remote healthcare services than telemedicine. Telemedicine specifically refers to remote clinical services. While telehealth can mention remote non-clinical services.

Few Examples of Telehealth

Recipients use a mobile app to check blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body.
Patients through an online self-service portal. Such as the Patient Portal, to view their lab reports, book appointments, and order prescriptions.
Online reminders to patients for medication refills, vaccinations, or medical examinations.

Few Examples of Telemedicine

The X-ray scan report is sent over the Internet and the doctor receives a notification.
The patient consults with the doctor via video chat about an unusual skin rash or discoloration.

When to Use

Telehealth and telemedicine can be used in many different situations. The list below is not exhaustive, but it can give you an idea of the many ways. Your doctor can treat you during a telehealth visit. Now we will talk about when Telehealth vs Telemedicine use. You can use telemedicine to communicate with a healthcare professional if you have the following medical conditions or symptoms:

Vomiting
Colds and flu
Diarrhoea
Allergy
Bronchitis
Insect bites
Infection
Conjunctivitis
Rashes
Respiratory tract infection
Sore throat
Strains and eruptions
Bladder infection.

Care You Can Get with Telehealth

Results of laboratory tests or X-rays.
Mental health treatment, containing online therapy, counselling, and medication management.
Recurrent conditions such as migraines or urinary tract infections.
Skin conditions.
Prescription management.
Urgent care problems such as colds, coughs, and stomach aches.
Postoperative follow-up.
Treatment and follow-up for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Remote monitoring services to help you track your health goals. And control chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Now after reading this you will able to see difference between Telehealth vs Telemedicine.

Pros and Cons of Telemedicine and Telehealth

Telehealth and telemedicine have many advantages, but there are also some disadvantages.

Pros of Telehealth and Telemedicine:

Increase the accessibility of patients to doctors.
More affordable.
It brings health care to communities that have traditionally been underserved.
Enables faster diagnosis and intervention.
Better educational opportunities for healthcare providers.

Cons of Telemedicine and Telehealth:

Not everyone understands how to use the necessary technology.
Some people do not have access to the necessary technology.
Technical failure is probable.
There is a lack of studies on this model documenting its benefits.

Benefits of Telehealth vs Telemedicine

Now we will discuss about Telehealth and Telemedicine benefits each other.

Benefits of Telehealth

Virtual visits are becoming increasingly popular. Although in-person office visits may be necessary in certain cases, telehealth care has many advantages.
Limited physical contact reduces everyone’s exposure to covid-19.
Virtual visits provide you with health care wherever you are – at home, at work, or even in your car
Virtual visits reduce travel, time off work, and the need for childcare.
Virtual healthcare tools can shorten the wait for an appointment.
Better access to specialists located far from your hometown.
Telehealth is not ideal for everyone or every medical condition. Be sure to discuss any disadvantages or risks with your healthcare provider.

Benefits of Telemedicine

Other benefits of telemedicine include:

Lower costs: Some research suggests that people who use telemedicine spend less time in the hospital, resulting in cost savings. Less time commuting can also mean fewer incidental expenses like childcare and gas.

Convenience: Telemedicine allows people to access care in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. This may mean that one does not have to take time off from work or arrange childcare.

An additional source of income: Doctors may find that telemedicine supplements their income by allowing them to provide care to more patients.

Less exposure to disease and infection: When providers see patients remotely, they don’t have to worry about exposure to any pathogens the patient may be carrying.

Patient Satisfaction: When a patient does not have to travel to the doctor’s office or wait for care. They may be more satisfied with their provider.

Care in the middle of the night: Telemedicine offers immediate medical service from remote locations and is also available to patients at any time.

Online Psychiatric Support: Psychiatric patients get many benefits from doctors. Personal care and speedy recovery are some of them.

Conclusion

Telemedicine, in one form (Telehealth vs Telemedicine) or another, has been polished for over thirty years. At the simplest level, a nurse providing clinical advice over the phone is telemedicine. However, the focus of recent activity has been on telemedicine applications. Which generally use advanced video and audio capabilities. These technologies can span from high-resolution still images (e.g., X-rays) to cultivated interactive teleconferencing systems.

Telehealth is defined as the provision and mediation of health and health-related services. Containing medical care, provider and patient education, and health information services. And self-caution through telecommunications and digital communication technologies.