Many doctors and health professionals can't meet with their patients in person in the state the world is in right now, so they found ways to work around this with the pandemic going on. This involves a technique known as telehealth that allows them to communicate with patients, asses issues, give a prognosis and prescribe treatment. By using telehealth, doctors can meet the needs of patients while social distancing. Because of its convenience telehealth not only rose quickly, but is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
On top of this, doctors can easily take care of minor issues and give medical advice through this method. It also allows doctors to get their patients medication refills without them visiting the office for a check-up. This way, it can save the patient the trouble of travelling while allowing the doctor to meet by using technology.
While the internet does allow people to use many resources to their advantage, those same people can also face potential dangers through hackers. Due to this, telehealth seeks to keep sensitive information protected by using a private cloud. This allows the patients and clinic owners to feel at ease about it while addressing their health related needs. With all technologies comes care for HIPAA compliance and remaining in line with data security practices already in place.
Liquid Web, an expert in hosting, stated that “HIPAA requires that data be stored and remain available while it is needed, but also that it be permanently destroyed or deleted when its storage is no longer necessary. You have to set and enforce the right HIPAA and security policies, but a quality managed service provider has and can set up all of the cybersecurity tools you need.”
Photo: iStock
Read next: Tech Solutions For Telehealth Wound Care (infographic)
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is when doctors meet with their patients virtually face to face using technology like computers, phones, and apps. They can use phone or video calls to talk with their patients about any health problems or concerns that they face. It works like a regular check-up by allowing the patient and doctor to talk with each other. The patient can discuss their current health, the doctor can ask questions and the patient can receive help with his or her concerns.How Medical Professionals Can Utilize Telehealth
During this quarantine, people don't want to leave their homes unless it's an emergency. Telehealth allows them to ask doctors questions and bring up their concerns to find out if they should visit in-person. This protects both the patient and the doctor.On top of this, doctors can easily take care of minor issues and give medical advice through this method. It also allows doctors to get their patients medication refills without them visiting the office for a check-up. This way, it can save the patient the trouble of travelling while allowing the doctor to meet by using technology.
Telehealth, HIPAA, and Data Security
An area of legitimate concern is HIPAA compliance, digital security, and protecting patient information when using telehealth. After all, how do you know that people won't hack into the system and steal your patient’s personal information? Medical professionals using telehealth technologies should ensure they are using a managed private cloud with guaranteed HIPAA compliance protections to ensure all data is safe and secure.Take the same care you would for electronic health information within the office setting and check with your host provider to ensure protections are in place when introducing telehealth and future new technologies.While the internet does allow people to use many resources to their advantage, those same people can also face potential dangers through hackers. Due to this, telehealth seeks to keep sensitive information protected by using a private cloud. This allows the patients and clinic owners to feel at ease about it while addressing their health related needs. With all technologies comes care for HIPAA compliance and remaining in line with data security practices already in place.
Liquid Web, an expert in hosting, stated that “HIPAA requires that data be stored and remain available while it is needed, but also that it be permanently destroyed or deleted when its storage is no longer necessary. You have to set and enforce the right HIPAA and security policies, but a quality managed service provider has and can set up all of the cybersecurity tools you need.”
The Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth technologies can provide a doctor or health care professional some major benefits to make their job easier and bring care straight to people more efficiently.- Quickly meet with patients that can't leave their home.
- Maintain quarantine and social distancing while addressing the needs and concerns of patients.
- Maintain security and privacy for patients through a managed private cloud.
- Allow patients the option to meet online or in-person.
Telehealth is the Future
Telehealth stands out during this time as an effective way to communicate with patients and see if they need to visit a doctor. Make sure to keep your eyes on this new medical technique and see if you can invest in it or incorporate it into your business.
Photo: iStock
Read next: Tech Solutions For Telehealth Wound Care (infographic)
