Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1302568
The Future of Telemedicine BY MICHELE HOLLOW TERRI D., AGE 35, woke up on a Saturday morning with extreme sinus pain. The over-the-counter medication she had been taking for a week was no longer controlling her symptoms. Her doctor's office was closed, so she drove to a nearby urgent care facility and found out it was dropped from her healthcare insurance network. The closest in-network facility covered by her insurance was 50 miles away. With a bit more online research, Terri found a telemedicine website and decided to give it a try. She filled out her insurance information and patient history. In less than 20 minutes, a doctor came on, asked some basic questions and had her open her mouth close to the camera. He sent a prescription to her pharmacy. Her cost was $45, compared to the $150 urgent care fee. Terri is part of a growing number of patients using telemedicine. Research published in JAMA found that telemedicine visits increased from 206 in to 202,374 within a 12-year period (2005 to 2017). The study a lso found the average age of patients using telemedicine was 38.3 years, and that 63% of patients were women. Of those using telemedicine, 83.3% live in urban areas. Also, the majority of those virtual visits were with primary care (39%) and mental health (53%) providers. EMBRACING TELEMEDICINE According to the American Hospital Association, 76% of hospitals in the U.S. use video and other technolog y to connect with patients and consulting physicians. MedTech Outlook, a medical CONVENIENCE, FE WER MISSED APPOINTMENTS AND LOWER INSUR ANCE COSTS BENEFIT PATIENTS AND DOCTORS. HAVING ACCESS TO PATIENTS' MEDICAL RECORDS, PRIVATE ON-CAMER A COMMUNICATION, AND REDUCING UNNECESSARY IN-OFFICE AND ER VISITS ARE A FE W RE A SONS TELEMEDICINE CONTINUES TO GROW IN POPUL ARIT Y. 1 4