Telemedicine vs Telehealth – Choose The Right Service for You

Technology has been an essential component of healthcare for many years, but the coronavirus pandemic significantly sped up the pace of change within the industry. In response to the health crisis, not only were additional safety measures put in place for healthcare professionals, but there was also a growing demand for telehealth services to provide remote care to patients.

Prior to the pandemic, data from the American Hospital Association revealed that 76% of U.S. hospitals already offered telehealth as an option. With the rise in demand, experts now anticipate tremendous growth for telehealth, projecting an annual compound growth rate of 38% over the next five years.

Though “telemedicine” and “telehealth” are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. There are important distinctions between the two concepts. In this article, we will explore telemedicine vs telehealth in depth.  

I. Clear out The Definition of Telemedicine vs Telehealth

Before we get into the differences between telemedicine vs telehealth, let’s look at the definition. 

Understanding Telehealth

As defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), telehealth involves utilizing digital communication and information technologies to offer health-related services and share vital patient information. These services support patient care, facilitate administrative tasks, and expand access to healthcare, all from a distance.

Though often confused with telemedicine, telehealth covers a broader scope, including non-clinical functions. Examples of telehealth services include administrative meetings, medical education for professionals, and training for healthcare providers, all conducted remotely.

Difference between telehealth and telemedicine

Defining Telemedicine

Telemedicine specifically involves the use of technology to offer clinical services remotely. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as the practice of “healing from a distance.” Initially conducted via phone calls, telemedicine now benefits from technological advances, such as online portals, video conferencing, and web-based platforms, allowing patients to consult with healthcare providers in real time or at different times.

Through telemedicine, patients can discuss symptoms, medical concerns, and treatment plans and even receive prescriptions, all without leaving their homes. This method eliminates the need for a physical visit to the doctor’s office and significantly improves healthcare access for individuals residing in remote or underserved areas.

Categories of Telemedicine Services

Telemedicine can be categorized into three main types:

• Interactive Medicine: This type of telemedicine involves real-time consultations between healthcare providers and patients. It allows for immediate interaction and feedback, similar to an in-person visit.

• Remote Monitoring: Remote monitoring is ideal for patients with chronic conditions. Healthcare providers can track key health metrics such as symptoms and vital signs, which are electronically transmitted to the provider for regular monitoring.

• Store and Forward: In this approach, patient information is transmitted asynchronously between the patient and healthcare provider or healthcare professionals. This means both parties don’t need to be available simultaneously. For instance, a general practitioner might send images of a patient’s skin condition to a dermatologist, who can then assess and provide treatment recommendations without requiring additional appointments.

II. Advantages of Telehealth and Telemedicine

Both telehealth and telemedicine offer a range of benefits for patients and healthcare providers, making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and convenient. Below are some of the key advantages for each group.

Benefits for Patients

Telehealth and telemedicine provide a convenient and often more affordable way for patients to access healthcare services. You can receive care remotely as a patient, removing the need to travel to a medical facility. Here are some specific advantages that telehealth and telemedicine offer:

• Same-Day Appointments: You can often book and attend an appointment on the same day, providing quicker access to care.
• Eliminating Travel and Waiting Times: No need to drive to a provider’s office or sit in waiting rooms, saving both time and effort.
• Reduced Exposure to Illnesses: By staying home, you reduce the risk of being exposed to infectious diseases like COVID-19.
• Flexibility with Work: You can receive care without having to take time off from work, making healthcare more accessible.
• Access to Distant Providers: Telehealth allows you to consult with specialists or providers who may not be geographically close to you.
• Enhanced Involvement in Care: Being able to reach your provider online easily can make you more proactive and involved in your treatment.
• Cost Savings: You can save money by avoiding travel expenses associated with in-person visits.

Telemedicine vs telehealth

Benefits for Providers

Telehealth and telemedicine also offer healthcare providers new tools and opportunities to enhance patient care. These technologies allow providers to:

• Remote Monitoring: Providers can help patients manage chronic conditions by using devices that monitor vital signs and other health data remotely.
• Expanding Access to More Patients: Telemedicine allows providers to treat patients from a wider geographic area, increasing their reach.
• Improved Collaboration: Telehealth makes it easier for providers to connect and work together with other medical professionals, leading to more coordinated care.
• Quicker Access to Patient Data: Providers can receive patient information faster and more efficiently, allowing for better decision-making.
• More Effective Care Delivery: By using telehealth, providers can ensure patients receive timely and coordinated care, reducing the need for emergency room visits or unnecessary office appointments.

III. What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine

Let’s look at the important difference between telehealth and telemedicine:

IV. How to Know When to Use Telehealth vs Telemedicine

When to Use Telemedicine:

Use telemedicine when the interaction involves direct clinical care, such as diagnosing, treating, or prescribing medications for a patient. Telemedicine is the right term if a patient needs a virtual consultation with a doctor, remote diagnosis, or prescription management. For example, you would use telemedicine when a physician is conducting a video consultation to diagnose an illness or adjust a treatment plan.

Key Indicators:

• Direct patient-provider interaction.
• Clinical decision-making (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, prescriptions).

The difference between telehealth and telemedicine

When to Use Telehealth:

Use telehealth when referring to a broader range of remote healthcare services, including both clinical and non-clinical care. This might involve health education, remote monitoring of chronic conditions, or mental health support groups. Telehealth also covers administrative healthcare meetings and wellness check-ins that don’t require immediate clinical intervention.

Key Indicators:

• Broader health-related activities (e.g., education, monitoring, wellness).
• Non-clinical or preventative services.

V. Telehealth vs Telemedicine Application Examples

To help clarify when to use telehealth and telemedicine, here are detailed examples of each, with clear explanations of how they differ.

Telemedicine Examples

Telemedicine focuses on clinical care, where a healthcare provider directly diagnoses or treats a patient remotely.

1. Virtual Doctor Visits:
   A patient with a sore throat uses a video conferencing platform to consult with a physician. During the call, the doctor examines the patient’s symptoms, makes a diagnosis, and prescribes medication. This is telemedicine because it involves direct clinical care, including diagnosis and treatment. 

   The interaction is between the patient and physician, with a clinical outcome—diagnosis and prescription.

2. Remote Diagnosis of Skin Conditions:
   A dermatologist reviews photos of a patient’s skin condition (e.g., a rash or mole) submitted through a secure portal. Based on the images, the dermatologist provides a diagnosis and suggests a treatment plan. This is telemedicine because it involves clinical decision-making based on a patient’s specific health issue. 

   The doctor is diagnosing and prescribing a treatment plan for a specific condition, which qualifies as clinical care.

3. Follow-up After Surgery:
   After a minor surgical procedure, a patient schedules a virtual follow-up appointment to discuss their recovery and address any concerns. The doctor checks the healing process via video and provides further instructions. This is telemedicine because it directly relates to a patient’s post-surgery care. 

   The interaction focuses on a specific patient’s recovery and includes clinical oversight.

4. Chronic Disease Management:
   A patient with diabetes regularly meets with a doctor through a video platform to review blood sugar levels and adjust insulin doses as needed. This management of a chronic condition is done remotely but involves direct clinical decision-making, making it telemedicine. 

   The doctor is responsible for interpreting medical data and adjusting treatment, which is clinical care.

Telehealth vs telemedicine examples

Telehealth Examples

Telehealth encompasses both clinical and non-clinical services. It includes telemedicine but also covers broader healthcare services such as patient education, administrative tasks, and remote monitoring.

1. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):
   A patient with high blood pressure uses a home blood pressure cuff that sends data to a healthcare provider. The provider reviews the data in real-time or periodically but may not interact with the patient unless an issue arises. RPM is telehealth because it involves monitoring health data remotely but not necessarily immediate clinical care. 

   The provider reviews health metrics without necessarily performing direct clinical interventions unless required.

2. Health Education Webinars:
   A hospital offers online webinars for the public on managing stress, nutrition, or exercise. These educational sessions aimed at improving general wellness but don’t involve diagnosing or treating specific conditions. This is telehealth because it focuses on health education and prevention, not direct clinical care. 

   No diagnosis or treatment is involved; it’s about improving general health knowledge and awareness.

3. Virtual Mental Health Support Group:
   A licensed therapist or counselor facilitates a virtual support group for individuals managing anxiety or depression. Participants share their experiences and receive general mental health advice, but this is not a one-on-one clinical session. This is telehealth because it involves mental health support in a non-clinical group setting.

   The service is focused on support and general guidance, rather than diagnosing or treating specific individuals.

4. Professional Training for Healthcare Providers:
   A hospital system holds virtual training sessions for its healthcare staff on new medical protocols or wellness programs. This is telehealth because it involves administrative or educational services rather than direct patient care.

   The focus is on staff education and professional development, not treating patients.

5. Telehealth Physical Therapy:
   A physical therapist provides instructions for exercises through a video call, helping a patient rehabilitate from a musculoskeletal injury. Even though the exercises are therapeutic, this is telehealth because the therapist is guiding wellness and recovery, not providing immediate clinical treatment.

   The therapist is offering guidance, but the interaction is more about facilitating recovery and maintaining health rather than direct clinical intervention.

Conclusion

The integration of technology into healthcare has never been more critical, and the rapid adoption of telehealth and telemedicine is reshaping how care is delivered. These advancements make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and flexible, benefiting both patients and providers. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the demand for digital solutions will only grow, offering innovative methods to improve patient care and optimize workflows.

If you’re ready to take your healthcare services to the next level, TECHVIFY is here to help. We can work with you to create custom telehealth and telemedicine solutions that fit your needs. Reach out to us today for a free consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help you bring these innovations to your practice!