Opportunities in Telemedicine for Healthcare Providers
For most of medical history, physical presence and interaction have been the foundation of provider-patient relationships. With the unprecedented rise of telemedicine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals of all types have embraced telehealth, which has become an integral part of medical life. The CDC reports that during the first quarter of 2020, the number of telehealth visits grew by 50% compared with the same period the year before, with a 154% increase in visits noted in surveillance week 13 in 2020 compared with the same time in 2019.
Nevertheless, this embrace of telemedicine has come with challenges and questions. Where does a healthcare provider, or HCP, best fit in the telemedicine experience? Where are the opportunities to leverage this technology to improve patient and physician experiences? How can physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and therapists find opportunities that match their skills to patients?
While it may feel strained or unnatural to convert from a traditional physical patient encounter to telemedicine, there are many opportunities for HCPs to deliver a range of patient experiences in telemedicine, from combined in-person and telehealth visits to full telehealth work and more. This could present an interesting and challenging complement to traditional patient care, along with a novel career path and chance for innovation.
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What does telemedicine look like?
At its core, there are three main types of telemedicine:
Store and forward telemedicine: Store and forward telemedicine — common in the fields of dermatology, radiology, and pathology — bypasses the need for the provider to meet with the patient. Instead, data such as medical images or biosignals can be sent directly to specialists as needed when acquired from the patient.
Remote monitoring: Remote or self monitoring uses various devices to send health data and clinical information to a clinician. This is used extensively in the management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and asthma.
Interactive services: Interactive services seek to mimic the patient-provider interaction and can be done by phone, online, and via home visits. A typical medical history and consultation can be performed, along with assessments as done in person.
Opportunities in telemedicine
There are several key roles that HCPs can have in telemedicine. A provider’s involvement can range from direct delivery of care and remote monitoring of data to serving as a consultant for other providers. While some of these roles can support an existing practice, others require a full-time commitment.
Direct care delivery: Direct delivery of care is the typical role for HCPs, replicating the in-person clinical visit with a telemedicine session. These interactive services can be provided over the phone or internet, and consist of a typical history, physical, assessment, and plan. Companies that offer this include GoodRx Care, among others.
Supervision of care: Similar to the in-person clinical environment, supervising physicians monitor and oversee the delivery of care, and are another common way for physicians and other medical professionals to become involved in telemedicine. Nurse practitioners work under the supervision of physicians, and in some cases act independently to provide patient care. Physician assistants in many primary care and specialty settings can provide initial triage for physicians or complete visits under supervision.
Remote monitoring of data: Providers may use telemedicine to review and monitor data. Companies that offer remote radiology services or EKG interpretation services pair providers with health systems that need remote assistance with their patients.
Consult services: Remote consult services can bring together patients in underserved areas with specialists who can remotely discuss cases and review information to provide timely consults for internists, hospitalists, and family doctors.
Advisors: Healthcare providers can become advisors to telemedicine groups and help shape clinical protocols and policies for healthcare startups.
Medical director or founder: Physicians have a deep well of knowledge and frontline experience with the delivery of healthcare. Many physicians become medical directors or even founders of telemedicine platforms to leverage their expertise in this area.
What’s in store for the future
Telemedicine, in its many forms, is here to stay. While the physical patient encounter can never be fully replaced and remains the bedrock of the doctor-patient relationship, we have all seen both the benefits and challenges of healthcare delivered remotely.
As telemedicine continues to mature, healthcare providers are in the critical position of addressing and improving these challenges, and even of doing some innovating to achieve superior patient care.
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