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Telemedicine — The Past and the Future

Posted by VISTA Staffing on Apr 8, 2016 10:30:00 AM

what is telemedicineTelehealth services are quickly shifting the healthcare infrastructure by (1) improving patient access to care, (2) reducing healthcare costs, (3) improving healthcare services, and (4) increasing patient demand for telemedicine services. This post will discuss telemedicine, how it is used, and future projections of its success.  

What Is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine — or telehealth — was introduced 40 years ago to extend hospital and physician care to patients living in remote and rural places. Currently, telemedicine is rapidly expanding and being integrated into hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, private physician offices, patients’ homes, and workplaces. Modern telecommunication tools — two-way video, email, phone (landlines and smartphones), digital and wireless devices, and other medical technology products — are used to exchange medical information and services with the goal of improving patient health.

Typically, telemedicine is provided through a larger medical system or healthcare institution and is not a separate medical specialty. Delivery of clinical care is often provided by healthcare professionals working in a hospital, clinic, or home health agency.

Primary Uses of Telemedicine

Telemedicine is used to:

  • Diagnose
  • Monitor chronic diseases or conditions
  • Monitor vital signs
  • Prescribe medication
  • Provide nursing services
  • Provide specialist care (i.e., telecardiology, teleradiology, telepathology, etc.)

Types of Services Provided

Primary Care and Specialist Referral Services

Telemedicine allows a primary care professional to consult with a patient or a specialist for proper diagnosis of illnesses or conditions. Local clinics can also call upon the expertise of remote physicians through the use of live interactive video.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Devices are used to collect and send data remotely to a home health agency, or remote diagnostic testing facility (RDTF) for analysis and interpretation. A provider can also store and forward diagnostic images, vital signs, and patient data for future review. These services often supplement the use of visiting home health nurses.

Consumer Medical and Health Information

Wireless and digital devices allow patients to receive specialized health information from remote providers. Patients also have access to online peer support groups.

Medical Education

Telemedicine allows providers to receive continuing medical education credits through telecommunication devices.

Future Projections of Telemedicine


Telemedicine is growing rapidly and projected to continue growing at a rapid pace. Overall, patient satisfaction continues to rise — 64% of American Well Telehealth Consumer Survey 2015 respondents reported they would prefer to have an online video visit instead of an in-person visit with their physician. In 2015, 29 states enacted laws requiring health insurers to pay for telemedicine services.

In addition, it is projected that the telemedicine global market will grow at a 14.3 percent compound annual growth rate through 2020 — $36.2 billion compared to 14.3 billion in 2014. Other future projections include: (1) expanded reimbursement and payment models, (2) spreading of U.S. services internationally, and (3) the rise of telemedicine services in retail clinics and onsite health centers.

Telemedicine has helped eliminate barriers to proper medical care by treating patients where they live and work through telecommunication devices, making it an integral part of the healthcare system.

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About VISTA Staffing Solutions

VISTA Staffing Solutions has over thirty years of experience providing award-winning customer service to clients and providers alike. Headquartered in Salt Lake City with additional offices in Atlanta and Houston, and employs approximately 1,000 people between corporate staff and field clinicians and contracts with over 2,500 physicians across 60+ specialties and subspecialties. VISTA helps U.S. hospitals, medical practices, and government agencies optimize their physician staffing, ensure quality and continuity of care for patients, and maintain financial stability. As a leading provider of U.S. Locum Tenens and Permanent Physician Search Services, VISTA also operates VISTA Select, a first-of-its-kind technology and services solution utilizing advanced data and analytics to provide healthcare organizations with customizable workforce optimization solutions.