Does telehealth work in emergency medicine?
Telehealth is a term that we’ve all become familiar with in recent years. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent need for remote healthcare services, telehealth has become a major focus of the healthcare industry. Also known as telemedicine, telehealth describes receiving healthcare from a medical professional without seeing them in person. Most telehealth consultations take place virtually using the internet and an electronic device (e.g. smartphone, computer, tablet, etc.).
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Considering this definition of telehealth, it might not sound like there’s a role for telemedicine in emergency settings. After all, quick, accurate decision-making is essential when dealing with critical care. In this Pacific Prime article, we look at how telehealth and emergency medicine can work together.
How telemedicine services can be used in emergency medicine
Before the pandemic, telehealth was seen as a technology that still had a way to go before its mainstream adoption. What ended up happening was that telehealth became crucial throughout the pandemic, and the use of the technology soared. According to a recent study, around 80% of Americans now believe they can receive the same level of care through telehealth compared to around 43% pre-pandemic.
By allowing for virtual consultations, telehealth services keep people out of the accident and emergency rooms (ER) who don’t really need them. Similarly, they allow medical professionals to protect themselves while giving medical care to their patients. Telehealth is also beneficial for those who find it difficult to visit a healthcare practitioner, such as those without transportation, with underlying health conditions, or living in rural areas.
Even though there’s undoubtedly a lot for physicians to become familiar with in terms of online consultations, telehealth platforms essentially allow medical professionals to determine if a patient has a medical emergency without being in the same place. Along with reducing the burden on emergency departments, this also enables hospital administrators to prepare rooms, equipment, and other things the patient may require at any moment.
Telehealth has more possibilities than we might imagine
You may be skeptical about how a medical practitioner can evaluate a patient who would be entering an ER over a virtual call. But the reality is that telehealth has much more possibilities than we might currently not be able to fathom. For example, a John Hopkins study from 2019 found the same level of efficiency between in-person and telehealth screening. What’s more, more patients were also seen at odd hours.
Since it’s possible for a doctor to pass a contagious, deadly virus like the novel coronavirus from patient to patient by doing the rounds in an emergency department, telehealth in emergency medicine is something that all medical departments should prioritize.
Medical practitioners can also learn more about a patient and their environment through a virtual visit, such as whether they have people that can look after them or if their home is safe. Telehealth consultations are imperative for deciding whether something must be further evaluated in person or not. With these benefits and more, telehealth is likely to become integral to healthcare even as we come out of the pandemic.
What type of emergency telemedicine is available?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency departments around the world had to rapidly adopt or upgrade telehealth services. Doing so helped lessen potential coronavirus exposure, increase access to healthcare, and face capacity issues. As telehealth is more widely used, it could potentially change emergency preparedness and standard emergency care.
Several telehealth modalities are gradually being introduced into emergency medicine, including the following.
Tele-triage
Similar to traditional triage, tele-triage utilizes technology to complement or change elements when interacting with patients. Patients can be screened remotely to decide the patient’s condition and the type of care they need.
Tele-emergency care
Tele-emergency care involves the use of videos or other telehealth technology to connect providers at a main hub emergency department to patients and providers at spoke hospitals – which are typically small, rural, or remote.
Virtual rounds
Healthcare providers can use telehealth technology to check on patients in the emergency department. This helps reduce the number of providers and physicians who need to be there in person. Along with reducing exposure, it also reduces time and the need for personal protective equipment.
Telehealth for follow-up care
This type of technology can be used to offer follow-up care for patients who were triaged but did not go to the emergency department or for patients once they’re discharged from the emergency department.
E-consults
Providers and physicians can get recommendations from others with specialty expertise.
The future of telehealth in emergency medicine
From primary care settings to neurology and more, telehealth has quickly made its way into various medical specialties. An undeniable benefit of this type of technology is that it allows access to trained medical professionals and healthcare no matter where one is in the world. It will be interesting to see what telehealth and emergency medicine will be able to achieve over time.
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Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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