Telehealth was once limited only to rural or remote communities but is now increasingly used to expand the geographic reach of health care services and improve access to care. Factors such as convenience, efficiency, communication, privacy, and comfort have been identified by patients as important to use telehealth. As telehealth expands, one area of interest and potential liability involves the prescribing of controlled substances. This particularly affects medical and surgical specialties that use pharmacotherapy for chronic disease management. Telemedicine prescribing laws and rules must be acknowledged when establishing service lines and strategies that meet patient needs and satisfy the many layers and levels of interconnected state and federal laws on telehealth, medical practice, controlled substance prescribing, fraud, and/or abuse.
Sure, here is a summary that examines the use of medical information found online and current barriers facing telehealth or telemedicine:
The Use of Medical Information Found Online
The use of medical information found online has increased dramatically in recent years. A 2021 survey found that 81% of Americans have used the internet to search for health information. This information can be found on a variety of websites, including government websites, medical websites, and social media.
There are many benefits to using medical information found online. This information can help people to learn about their health conditions, to find treatment options, and to connect with other people who are experiencing similar health problems. Online information can also be a valuable resource for healthcare providers.
However, there are also some risks associated with using medical information found online. This information can be inaccurate or outdated, and it can be difficult to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources. Additionally, people who use online information may not be able to interpret it correctly.
Current Barriers Facing Telehealth or Telemedicine
Telehealth or telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology to deliver healthcare services at a distance. This can include services such as doctor’s visits, consultations, and even surgery. Telehealth has many potential benefits, including convenience, cost-effectiveness, and access to care for people in rural areas.
However, there are also some barriers facing telehealth. One barrier is reimbursement. In the United States, Medicare and Medicaid do not reimburse for all telehealth services. This can make it difficult for providers to offer telehealth services, as they may not be able to recoup their costs.
Another barrier is privacy. Telehealth services often involve the transmission of sensitive medical information. This information must be protected in order to ensure patient privacy.
Finally, there is a lack of standardization in telehealth. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to telehealth. Providers must develop their own telehealth protocols, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Conclusion
The use of medical information found online and telehealth are both growing areas of healthcare. However, there are some risks and barriers associated with these technologies. It is important to be aware of these risks and barriers in order to use these technologies safely and effectively.
Here are some additional thoughts on the use of medical information found online and telehealth:
- The use of medical information found online is likely to continue to grow in the future. This is due to the increasing availability of this information and the growing demand for convenient and affordable healthcare services.
- Telehealth has the potential to improve access to healthcare for people in rural areas and for people with disabilities. However, there are still some barriers to the widespread adoption of telehealth, such as reimbursement and privacy concerns.
- It is important to be critical of the medical information that you find online. Not all of this information is accurate or reliable. Be sure to check the source of the information and to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
