Advances in technology not only affect the way healthcare providers treat illnesses but also how they deliver that treatment. Telemedicine technology allows healthcare providers to connect with their patients wherever they may be, extending healthcare to people who may otherwise have little or no access.
Because telemedicine is becoming more common, students in Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs need to know how telemedicine affects patient care. Flexible education options like the online RN to BSN program from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) provide course studies in the modern technologies impacting healthcare. Plus, the online education delivery model of UTA’s program familiarizes nurses with virtual, remote interaction and digital organization, preparing them for success as telemedicine providers.
Telemedicine 101: The Basics
According to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), telemedicine — in this case called telehealth — “effectively connects individuals and their healthcare providers when in-person care is not necessary or not possible.” As Medicine News Today explains, “Telemedicine uses electronic and telecommunication technology to provide an exchange of medical information” in order to “deliver clinical care at a distance.”
Telemedicine is more than three decades old, yet it became more widely known, understood, accepted and used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, legislation expanded the legal use and applications of telemedicine during the pandemic. Some of the expanded flexibilities in how providers and patients can engage in telehealth are only temporary, yet many are now permanent.
Telemedicine technology includes email, smartphone applications, text messaging, landlines and video conferencing — along with a growing number of other software applications and additional web-based tools and wearable devices. These tools allow patients to receive personalized care in their homes. Healthcare centers can also provide remote monitoring, which help professionals track conditions such as cardiac, pulmonary or fetal function for high-risk patients. Hospitals and other providers can use the same technology to offer preventive and specialized services.
Telemedicine is now extremely popular. Approximately 80% of respondents to a Market.us Media survey reported that they have accessed care through telemedicine. Beyond the pandemic-spurred adoption of remote healthcare, the growth of telemedicine’s popularity is likely due to its convenience, increased accessibility and inclusivity, and an overall acceptance of healthcare technology — particularly since the introduction of the electronic health record (EHR) and advancement of informatics.
Benefits of Telemedicine
Telemedicine offers several benefits. It can be extremely cost effective because it provides an additional revenue stream with minimal overhead. Physicians can treat patients in multiple geographic locations without the cost of maintaining offices in those areas. This can also reduce the amount of time healthcare providers must spend traveling. Nurses who have completed an online RN to BSN program may even find employment opportunities in “telenursing.”
Patients stand to benefit from telehealth services as well, particularly in rural or other low-access areas. On average, there were only 98 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents in rural areas in 2022, compared to 286 per 100,000 in urban areas. There may be even fewer in more isolated locations. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, roughly 20% of the U.S. population — or 66.3 million people — live in rural locales where telemedicine can improve access to healthcare services.
Likewise, elderly, disabled or chronically ill patients may have difficulty traveling to appointments. Telemedicine can ensure that these patients get the care they need. For others, the ability to fit in an appointment at the office or at home may better accommodate their schedules. The cost of care may be lower as well, depending on the provider’s fee schedule.
Challenges With Telemedicine Implementation
Despite the advantages of telemedicine, there are still challenges. Some healthcare providers may be reluctant to maintain increased use of telemedicine technology and its associated applications in the post-pandemic era. This may be especially true given the challenges of EHR implementation, data security and HIPAA compliance.
While technology has come a long way, malfunctioning equipment, power outages or poor internet connections can impede the process and lead to frustrated providers and patients. Insurance coverage can also be a problem, although more than 40 states required coverage parity as of 2023 and 25 implemented payment parity. Still, other states have no formal coverage requirements, and many have yet to adopt payment parity.
More Accessible Healthcare
The widespread availability of internet access and internet-enabled devices has led more healthcare providers and patients to consider the benefits of telemedicine. The advances in telemedicine technology allow patients to receive healthcare services they may not otherwise have access to. These advances enhance the way providers monitor chronic conditions, further improving patient outcomes. As technology evolves, it is likely that telemedicine may become an even more significant part of the healthcare industry.
Learn more about UTA’s online RN to BSN program.
