The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the lifestyles of millions of people worldwide. During lockdowns, more and more services are being provided online, including educational, entertainment, and cultural ones. The healthcare industry has also adapted to the present-day demands. Leading hospitals and clinics cooperate with IT companies to obtain efficient solutions in telehealth and telemedicine. In this article, we will outline the peculiarities of these innovative technologies and substantiate the need for custom healthcare software development in this area of expertise.
Contents
Telehealth and Telemedicine: Similarities and Differences
The words telehealth and telemedicine are often used interchangeably, although there are important differences between these concepts. Telehealth covers all digitally delivered medical services and is often regarded as a broader term than telemedicine. The latter, in its turn, is associated with remote assistance; its primary aim is to set diagnoses and provide monitoring of patients from distant locations. These technologies make possible effective long-distance communication between health professionals and patients. They are especially useful during epidemics or pandemics, or simply when unfavourable weather conditions or personal issues make it difficult to visit doctors.
Key Types of Telehealth
- Live video calls.
Video conferencing is the most widespread use of telehealth technologies. A patient consults his or her doctor using special software or mobile applications.
- Remote patient monitoring.
RPM is especially helpful when taking care of seniors, people with locomotor disabilities, or those living in the countryside. Nurses and doctors collect all necessary information and give advice online.
- Store-and-forward services.
These solutions allow specialists to consult their peers concerning the patient’s state of health. On-site presence and instantaneous response are not required as reports can be delivered within a few working hours. For example, a remote radiologist may examine X-rays and send his/her expertise by email or via a secure network. Digital images of wounds, lesions, and other injuries taken by in-house doctors may be examined by consultants located elsewhere.
- mHealth (Mobile Health).
Apps for mobile phones, tablets, or wearables help to monitor vital signs or other important patients’ data in real time. They can also be integrated with electronic health records.
Benefits of Telehealth and Telemedicine
Remote medical services are available 24/7 and allow patients to choose the most suitable time for appointments. Also, people from rural areas who experience a lack of healthcare institutions can get as much advice and guidance as those living in big cities.
- Safety.
Using telehealth services reduces the risk of contagion, which is exceptionally important nowadays, during the pandemic. A lot of people are afraid to contract COVID-19 or any other contagious disease during in-person visits, that is why they prefer telehealth solutions. Practicing and obtaining medical services online excludes this risk factor completely.
- Saving time.
It is not necessary to waste time going to another part of the city or waiting in queues. To consult a doctor, one only needs a computer or a mobile device, a telehealth app, and a stable Internet connection.
- Traveler-friendly solutions.
When traveling abroad, you don’t have to worry about catching the flu or suffering from migraine. In certain cases, it is easy to consult a physician online and get a prescription for the pills. But don’t forget to carry insurance because not all conditions can be treated online.
The necessity of custom healthcare software development in telehealth
- Tailor-made solutions.
Certain healthcare providers need special telehealth solutions depending on their speciality. A perfect way to act in such situations is a collaboration with IT companies developing custom healthcare software. Thus, the product they elaborate will meet all the local requirements.
- Personalized services.
Clinics and patients get customizable, user-friendly, and intuitive software which is better than off-the-shelf applications.
- Data security.
Telehealth software apps elaborated for special needs are HIPAA-compliant, which means optimal data protection. The patient’s data stays safe from malicious attacks and leaks.
- Outsourcing advantages.
It is obvious that hospitals and clinics do not have to hire in-house software developers and may hand over the task of elaborating required apps to third-party IT companies. This will allow them to attract the best experts in this industry and obtain modern innovative solutions.
Conclusion
Nowadays, telehealth has become a priority vector of custom healthcare software development and undoubtedly has a bright future. After the pandemic is over, a lot of people won’t return to traditional clinics unless they require urgent help like surgery or dental treatment. Therefore, it is crucially important to search for new telehealth solutions facilitating doctor-patient communication.