Tag: telehealth

Are you or your loved ones interested in seeing a therapist but are having difficulties due to some reasons, this blog post on the telehealth companies for mental health services is a great read to consider.

At its core, telehealth embodies the fusion of healthcare and technology. It can be broadly defined as the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, and public health administration.

In simpler terms, telehealth allows patients to meet healthcare professionals digitally, rather than in a traditional face-to-face setting.

With advancements in technology, particularly the ubiquity of smartphones and the internet, online therapy has rapidly increased as a mainstay in modern healthcare.

No longer are the days when therapy meant lying on a couch in a dimly lit room; today, therapy can be as simple as opening an app or clicking a link from the comfort of your home.

The importance of mental health; An overview

In today’s fast-paced and often uncertain world, mental health has emerged as a topic of paramount importance.

There’s been a broader societal recognition that mental health is just as crucial as physical health. With the stressors of modern life, from the relentless news cycle to economic pressures and the blurring of work-life boundaries, there’s a heightened need for mental health resources.

Furthermore, the stigma surrounding mental health is slowly dissipating. Conversations about anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues are more prevalent and open now than they have ever been.

This shift not only advocates for the normalization of seeking help but also underlines the importance of accessible mental health resources for everyone, everywhere.

Advantages of Using Telehealth for Mental Health

See below;

Unparalleled Accessibility

One of the most significant benefits of telehealth is its ability to bridge geographical barriers. For individuals residing in remote or rural locations, traditional therapy can be challenging to access.

The nearest mental health professional might be hours away, making regular sessions nearly impossible. Telehealth changes this narrative, offering a lifeline to those who might otherwise have limited or no access to mental healthcare. It ensures that regardless of where someone resides, they can have access to quality mental health resources.

Flexible Scheduling

The rigid structure of traditional therapy can be a deterrent for many, especially those juggling tight schedules.

With telehealth, there’s an inherent flexibility that benefits both therapists and patients. Virtual sessions can be scheduled outside typical office hours, allowing therapists to cater to a broader audience and giving patients the freedom to slot sessions at their most convenient times.

A Haven of Privacy and Comfort

One of the significant barriers that deter people from seeking therapy is the stigma or perceived judgment associated with attending therapy sessions.

With telehealth, sessions can be taken from the safety and comfort of one’s home, eliminating potential discomfort or anxiety about being seen entering a therapist’s office.

Cost-Effectiveness

At first glance, one might think the primary savings from telehealth come from eliminating transportation costs—and while that’s a valid point, the financial benefits run deeper.

There are savings in terms of time, which can translate to fewer hours missed from work. Some telehealth platforms also offer competitive rates compared to in-person sessions, given the reduced overhead costs.

Criteria for Evaluating Telehealth Companies

Sit tight, let’s ride along;

Robust Security and Privacy Measures

In the digital age, the sanctity of personal data, especially health-related information, is of paramount importance. When evaluating a telehealth company, it’s crucial to assess its commitment to data security and patient privacy. Factors to consider include:

• Encryption standards
• Compliance with health information laws
• Data handling and storage policies

Licensing and Credentialing of Practitioners

The efficacy of any healthcare service hinges largely on the expertise of its practitioners. Telehealth companies should have a stringent process for vetting the professionals on their platform. Factors to scrutinize include:

• Licensing: Are the therapists licensed in the jurisdiction where they’re providing services?
• Verification process: How does the company confirm the authenticity of a practitioner’s credentials?
• Continuous training: Are therapists provided with training and updates, especially related to online therapy’s nuances?

Diversity in the Range of Services Offered

Mental health is a vast field with varied needs. A telehealth company should offer a diverse range of services that cater to different therapeutic requirements.

User-Friendly Interface and Seamless Experience

A platform’s usability can significantly influence the patient’s overall experience. When evaluating telehealth companies, consider:

• Navigation
• Compatibility
• Technical support

Genuine Patient Reviews and Success Stories

Real-life testimonials can be a window into a company’s efficacy. While all reviews might not be universally positive, a pattern of positive feedback can be a good sign.

Transparency in Cost and Insurance Compatibility

Financial considerations are essential in healthcare decisions. To evaluate a telehealth company’s economic aspects:

• Pricing clarity
• Subscription models
• Insurance acceptance

10 Top telehealth companies for mental health in the USA and UK

• Amwell telepath
• Better help
• Cerebral telehealth company
• Doctor on demand
• Mantra Health
• MDLive
• Plushcare
• Ritual
• Talkspace
• Teladoc

Amwell telepath

Established in 2006, Amwell stands out as a leader in the telehealth sector. They offer a broad range of services, spanning from online therapy to mental health counseling and medication management. An expansive network of healthcare professionals backs them, ensuring clients can select from a diverse pool of experts. Additionally, they proudly accommodate most leading insurance plans.

Amwell has crafted its website and app to ensure a user-friendly experience, making it straightforward and navigable for users of all tech backgrounds.

They’ve also put together a dedicated support team, ready to assist at any hour of the day, every day of the week. Despite the impressive range of services, competitive pricing, and top-notch user interface they offer, potential users should note the lack of a free trial period.

key company’ details

• Cost: $99 per session, $199 per session for psychiatry
• Additional info: It provides services for the LGTBQ+ community, PTSD community, and more; it offers couple and teen therapy and other services like women’s health.

Better help

This is a renowned telehealth platform, that actively delivers online therapy with certified counselors and therapists through phone, video, and chat sessions. Patients can tap into their services anytime, anywhere, benefitting from a vast array of specialists equipped to address conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction, among others.

Operational across all 50 US states and the UK, BetterHelp collaborates with most leading insurance providers.

They also offer flexible pricing to cater to uninsured or underinsured patients. The platform maintains a sterling reputation for its top-tier services and expansive therapist network, setting the gold standard for specialized care.

Product detail

• Cost: 60 to 90 (billed every four months)
• App availability: ios, Google Play
• Additional info: best for specialty care, offers couple and teen therapy.

Cerebral telehealth company

Launched in 2020, this telehealth company has quickly made its mark in the industry, actively providing online therapy and medication management services tailored for conditions like anxiety and depression. Catering to clients across all 50 US states, they pride themselves on offering adaptable pricing structures.

While they currently don’t work with insurance providers, they’ve initiated a financial assistance program, ensuring that those in need aren’t left without support.

Their roster boasts board-certified psychiatrists, skilled and ready to prescribe necessary medications for various mental health conditions. Furthermore, they understand the importance of a trial run; hence, they extend a complimentary test period, allowing potential subscribers to experience their offerings before committing to a full subscription.

Product details

• Cost: $73.75 per session ($295-325$ per month)
• App availability: ios, Google Play
• Additional info: It allows patients to pick their therapist and provides the best plan variety.

Doctor on demand

This telehealth service has emerged as a premier mental health provider in the UK. They actively deliver a range of services like online therapy, mental health counseling, and medication management. Boasting an extensive provider network, they accommodate most major insurance plans. However, potential users should note the absence of a free trial period.

In addition to their core services, they enrich their online presence with a blog and a plethora of educational content on their website.

Both their website and app prioritize user-friendliness, ensuring smooth navigation and accessibility. Their notable reputation underscores their widespread accessibility and service excellence in the mental health sector.

Mantra Health

Mantra Health collaborates with higher education institutions to offer comprehensive mental health and wellness solutions for students.

The Whole Campus Care and Capacity Expansion solutions aim to enhance student success, mitigate risks, boost student engagement, decrease wait times for care, and ensure student well-being both on and off-campus.

MDLive

MDlive was established in 2009, this telehealth company has become a prominent player in the industry. They provide a broad spectrum of services, encompassing online therapy, mental health counseling, and medication management. Their compatibility with most of the leading insurance plans positions them as an attractive choice for individuals who have coverage.

However, they don’t cater to the specialized needs of children and teenagers, which is a limitation for those seeking youth-specific services. The company boasts an impressive network of healthcare providers and merges this strength with insurance acceptance and competitive pricing, ensuring a balanced offering for potential users.

For those prioritizing ease of access, their digital platforms, including a user-friendly website and app, stand out, streamlining the process of tapping into their services. While their offerings are robust, they lack the depth of specialized services that some competitors provide.

Plushcare

Driven by the insights of Dr. James Wantuck and the experiences of Ryan McQuaid, PlushCare was initiated as a virtual doctor’s office accessible via phone or computer, focusing on improving mental health care accessibility.

While Plushcare inception was in a small room in a San Francisco doctor’s office with Dr. Wantuck attending to patients over video and Ryan handling calls, PlushCare has since expanded. Now, with a team of over 100 professionals, their core mission remains consistent: enhancing health and well-being for all.

Ritual

Ritual was founded by Dr. Guralnik who has gained significant recognition through her Showtime series, Couples Therapy, playing a crucial role in shedding light on relationship challenges and their ties to mental health for a vast American audience. As a faculty member at both NYU and NIP, she also co-established the Center for the Study of Dissociation and Depersonalization at Mount Sinai Medical School.

Beyond her television presence, she actively contributes to the mental health discourse by lecturing and publishing on the intersections of couples’ treatments and societal influences. Having completed her postdoctoral program in psychoanalysis at NYU, Dr. Guralnik currently offers her expertise in psychotherapy in New York City.

Talkspace

Another telehealth platform provides online therapy with credentialed therapists through text, video, and audio communications. Comparable to Betterhelp, this platform, known as Talkspace, caters to diverse mental health challenges and boasts a plethora of specialists.

Talkspace extends its services across all 50 US states and the UK and is compatible with many leading insurance providers. It remains one of the outstanding telehealth companies for mental health services you can consider.

For those who are uninsured or underinsured, they present a flexible pricing model. A distinctive feature of Talkspace, compared to Betterhelp, is its dedicated platform for adolescents and children, ensuring targeted mental health support for the younger demographic.

Key company details

• Cost: 99$ per week (billed monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually)
• App availability: ios, Google Play
• Additional info: best for messaging and text; psychiatric services are also provided separately.

Teladoc

Teladoc was established on the groundbreaking concept of universal healthcare access regardless of location, Teladoc Health has been at the forefront of revolutionizing healthcare delivery.

Now, they actively offer comprehensive virtual care, encompassing primary medical attention, mental health services, management of chronic conditions, and an array of other services to meet diverse health needs.

Special Features That Set Some Companies Apart

See below;

AI-Assisted Self-Help Tools

In the era of machine learning and artificial intelligence, some forward-thinking telehealth companies have harnessed the power of AI to offer innovative self-help tools. Such tools may include:

• Chatbots for Instant Assistance: These bots can engage users during crisis moments, providing immediate responses and guiding them toward appropriate resources.
• Mood Trackers: Using AI algorithms, these tools can analyze inputs from users about their daily moods and provide insights or trends that might be useful during therapy.
• Personalized Content Recommendations: Based on user interactions, AI can suggest relevant articles, videos, or exercises tailored to individual needs.

Group Therapy or Community Support Options

The healing power of the community is undeniable. Recognizing this, some telehealth companies offer:

• Virtual Group Sessions: Led by licensed therapists, these sessions can provide a platform for users to share experiences and learn from others in a moderated and safe environment.
• Community Forums: A space for users to discuss their journeys, share stories, and offer mutual support. These forums often have guidelines to ensure respectful and constructive interactions.

Specialized Therapy Options

While generic therapy can benefit many, there are individuals with specific needs that require specialized attention.

Multilingual Therapists

Language can be a barrier in therapy, especially for those for whom English isn’t the first language. Some telehealth companies rise above the rest by offering:

• Native Language Sessions
• Cultural Sensitivity

How to Choose the Right Service for You

See below;

Assessing Personal Needs

Understanding what you need is paramount. Before diving into a platform, reflect on your own requirements. Key areas to consider include:

• Type of Therapy: Whether it’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, couples therapy, or other modalities, understanding your preferred method will help narrow down choices.
• Frequency of Sessions: Do you need weekly sessions, bi-weekly, or just monthly check-ins? The flexibility of your chosen platform should align with your desired frequency.
• Specialist Requirements: If you have specific conditions like trauma, anxiety, or addiction, you’ll want a therapist who specializes in those areas. Moreover, if you have preferences for therapists with

The Financial Aspects

Therapy is an investment in your well-being, but it shouldn’t break the bank. Considering the financial aspects can guide your choice:

• Clear Pricing
• Insurance Compatibility
• Flexible Payment Options

Test the Waters with Platform Trials

Before committing, make use of any trial periods or introductory offers. These can provide insights into the platform’s functionality and the quality of therapists.

Future of Telehealth and Mental Health

• Predictions for the Continued Evolution of Online Therapy

As our world becomes increasingly digitized, the realm of online therapy will likely continue to evolve and expand. Some potential directions for its growth include:

Wider Acceptance: While already popular, online therapy will likely become even more normalized as an alternative or supplement to traditional therapy, with its efficacy supported by further research and real-world success stories.

Personalized Therapeutic Experiences: Using AI and machine learning, platforms might offer highly tailored therapy sessions, analyzing patient feedback, behavior, and other data points to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Global Connectivity: As telehealth becomes more prevalent, we could see a rise in global therapy networks, allowing patients to connect with specialists worldwide, surpassing geographical limitations.

The Pivotal Role of Emerging Technologies

With the rapid pace of technological advancements, therapy’s landscape is bound to undergo significant changes. Here are a few possibilities:

• Virtual Reality (VR)
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Biofeedback and Wearables

Holistic Health Integration

The future of telehealth is not just about mental health in isolation but its integration with overall health services:

• Unified Health Platforms: We may witness platforms that seamlessly integrate mental health services with primary care, nutritional guidance, physical therapy, and more, offering a 360-degree approach to well-being.
• Collaborative Care: Telehealth platforms could facilitate better collaboration between therapists, primary care physicians, specialists, and other healthcare providers. This ensures that all health professionals involved in a patient’s care are on the same page, leading to more coordinated and effective care.
• Health and Lifestyle Integration: Future platforms might incorporate aspects of daily living, such as sleep patterns, physical activity, and diet, into the therapeutic process. This can give therapists a more comprehensive view of a patient’s lifestyle, allowing for more personalized recommendations and interventions.

My final thought on the 10 Best Telehealth companies for mental health services

In an era where the cacophonies of daily life can sometimes be overwhelming, ensuring our mental well-being remains paramount.

It’s crucial to remember that mental health is not a luxury or an afterthought; it’s a fundamental pillar of our overall well-being. Just as we wouldn’t neglect a physical ailment, our emotional and psychological states deserve equal, if not more, attention.

For those contemplating seeking support or those keen on learning more, telehealth offers a promising and flexible avenue. It’s an invitation to prioritize ourselves, to listen to our internal narratives, and to seek harmony within.

We urge you, our esteemed readers, to take a proactive step in exploring the world of telehealth. Venture into the platforms available, perhaps beginning with a trial session or diving into user testimonials.

And if you’ve experienced the transformative power of online therapy, your story can be a guiding light for others. Share this article with friends and family, ensuring that the knowledge and potential of telehealth reaches far and wide. We also encourage you to engage with us in the comments section below.

Share your personal telehealth experiences, your triumphs, challenges, or even lingering questions. Together, as a community, we can foster a space of support, understanding, and collective growth.

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Best 5 Trends Shaping the Future of Telemedicine in Healthcare

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Let us take a look at the 5 Trends Shaping the Future of Telemedicine in Healthcare

The rising popularity of telemedicine and other telehealth solutions go hand in hand with the trends that are happening today.

With these trends, telemedicine can rise in popularity in such a short time. Thus, telemedicine can become the future of home health, as people use it even more to get the healthcare treatments they need right from the comfort of their home.

1. AI Technology Development

One important trend that will shape the future of telemedicine in healthcare is the AI technology development.

Artificial intelligence is the technology common in the world of robotics, computing, gaming, and other tech-related industries. Not only that, artificial intelligence also has its own roles in the medical world.

This technology can help healthcare professionals in various aspects of their healthcare treatments, with the goal of providing better healthcare solutions for the patients.

AI can get integrated into the telemedicine technology in the future by helping the patients find the medicines they can use to treat their health conditions and suggesting other medicines as their conditions improve or worsen.

2. Stay-at-Home Lifestyle

During the COVID-19 pandemics, it is important for everyone to do their activities at home to suppress the spread of the virus infection.

With the newer virus strain that is even more infectious than the previous strain, more and more people are embracing the stay-at-home lifestyle in their daily activities.

During this time, they will need to use various digital services to keep their life comfortable, with the online ordering system being a big part of it.

It’s the same when they try to get the health treatments for their health conditions. They will need to use the telemedicine services to ask for prescriptions from the healthcare professionals and order their medicines online.

The COVID-19 pandemics and the stay-at-home lifestyle might become the trend that raises the popularity of telemedicine even more.

3. VR and AR Technology Development

Another important trend you should keep in mind is the VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) technology development.

Aside from being used in the gaming and tech-related market, the VR and AR technology has reached the medical field. With the VR and AR technology, it will be easier for patients to consult with the healthcare professionals using the VR technology, so they can communicate with them in the virtual world.

With this technology, patients can browse through the virtual digital storefront to order their medicine via telemedicine services.

This way, the patients can get an even better experience when they use the telemedicine or telehealth services from their preferred healthcare facility.

4. Digital Communication Trends

We can also see the increase in digital communications, and it’s becoming even more popular during the pandemic.

For instance, most people now are using the digital communication channels for school and work, and many healthcare facilities also use digital communication technology to serve their long-distance patients.

With the massive use of digital communication technology today, it opens the door for telemedicine to reach even more people.

Telemedicine uses digital communication technology to reach people and serve their healthcare needs. People can use telemedicine to order their medicines online, whether with or without prescription, and they can get the medicines delivered to their home without having to go out to the pharmacy or visit any healthcare facility.

5. 5G Connectivity

With the 5G connectivity becoming even more mainstream nowadays, it makes it easier for people to get access to high-speed internet connection.

It means that now, people can send and receive data on their mobile device at the same speed as the speed of home broadband internet connection. The upgrade to 5G connectivity can bring a massive change in the way people communicate.

With the 5G connectivity, people can stream high-quality videos with no lags, and it means that they can also use this connectivity to establish stable video communications with clearer pictures, higher level of details, and no more lagging.

It will affect the way people use telehealth services, which includes telemedicine, as the 5G connectivity will make it even easier for people to access these services without having to experience any issues.

Conclusion

These are the trends shaping the future of telemedicine in healthcare. With these trends, telemedicine is becoming even more popular nowadays, and in the future, it might become the preferred method for people to receive healthcare treatments from their preferred healthcare facility.

Telemedicine can also make it easier for people to get access to the medicines they need for their healthcare treatments in the future.

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What is health informatics

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What is health informatics? Health informatics encompasses many things ranging from but not limited to the use of information communication technology in the health sector.

Healthcare informatics is very significant and important in the healthcare system because it helps in the improvement of clinical outcomes, facilitating wonderful experiences for both patients and caregivers, and creating a cost-friendly environment for patients with the overall improvement in efficiency in healthcare service delivery.

Introduction to what is health informatics

American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), describes “health informatics as the application of principles of computer and information science to the advancement of life sciences research, health professions education, public health, and patient care.

This multidisciplinary and integrative innovation focuses on health information technologies (HIT), and involves the computer, cognitive, and social sciences.”

AMIA made it known that this innovation is now pronounced in different sectors of the health practice and professions including but not limited to doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and optometrists.

Also, health information covers a diverse group of topics as outlined below;

• Clinical decision support and documentation
• Complex socio-technical systems design, implementation, and adoption
• Health data analytics and data visualization
• Population health and High-Reliability health care
• Provider order entry systems
• Visual imaging (radiological, pathological, dermatological, ophthalmological.)

What is a health informatics job title?

There are different job opportunities in this specialty of health informatics and each job title brings clarity to what one does better;

Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

These occupations are projected to add about 667,600 new jobs. Demand for these workers will stem from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.

• Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)
• Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO)
• Clinical Informaticist
• Clinical) Informatics Lecturer, Professor
• Director, Clinical Informatics
• Electronic Medical Record Trainer
• Health (or Clinical) Informatics Technician, Specialist, Product Manager,
• Health Informatics Analyst
• Health Informatics Consultant
• Healthcare Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Healthcare Informatics Security and Data Manager

What does a health care informaticist do?

There are many duties of a health informaticist depending on the area of specialization. From the above job titles, one can easily decode some of an informaticist’s duties and roles.

Healthcare informaticists use their training and knowledge of health care, information systems, databases, and information technology to gather, store, analyze and manage patient data and medical records.

A bachelor’s degree in information technology or database management and a master’s degree in health information management will greatly help qualify a candidate for a job in health informatics. However, medical knowledge is also important to help employees understand their work.

They can also use these data for a broad range of applications, including but are not limited to analyzing trends, improving clinical workflow, improving the overall quality of care of patient outcomes, and the improvement of the health of the general public.

What is the health informatics importance?

Health informatics advantages cannot be over-emphasized, if not so we would not have been put much energy and time into explaining what is health informatics.

This technological innovation is an outstanding one in different healthcare practices to improve the delivery of services in the system.

In the same vein, there is less stress in the validation of information for patients and caregivers and as such making the health care run smoothly.

Healthcare informatics is revolutionizing how clinicians diagnose and manage patient care; thereby ensuring care is delivered safely. In the same vein, informatics is improving the operational efficiency of healthcare delivery systems through the identification of trends as earlier mentioned, outcome prediction, and identifying care gaps and disparities between and among groups of patients.

Health informatics has contributed and is still contributing to medical advancement and healthcare innovation by providing not only data, but actionable information to improve processes, clinical outcomes, and the overall experience for patients and providers.

The importance of health informatics keeps broadening and such people now understand the concept properly. With these advancements in healthcare technological innovations, many companies and organizations are venturing into it because indeed it has come to stay.

Requirements to Get a Degree in Health Informatics

There are many degree options for health informatics offered by different schools around the globe.

Although it is a new innovation, it is rapidly gaining dominance in the healthcare sector, however, there is a need to get more hands and desks and for people to trust and understand how it works for the general adoption of this innovation, there must be a need for effective training and certification.

Some schools even offer combined bachelor’s and master’s programs that allow students to complete both in a shorter time than if they did them separately. People who know and understand medical coding, medical billing, and medical database operation will have the best chance to advance in the field of health informatics.

There are degree programs offered by different universities both online and offline and having the right training will ascertain how productive and creative you will be in the profession.

Each university has different requirements to get a degree in health informatics. Students would tailor their junior and senior classes toward their chosen specialty within the field and reach out to the school they wish to offer for the requirements to get a degree in health informatics.

What are the Degree Options for a Career in Health Informatics?

One of the popular degree programs within the field of healthcare management is the subfield of health informatics. Most positions require either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree because the field is heavily technical and business-oriented.

• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Business (Information Technology Management)
• Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics
• Master of Health Informatics
• Master of Information Systems
• Master of Nursing Informatics
• Master of Science in Health Informatics

It is important to note that to pursue a master’s degree in health informatics; you typically must earn a bachelor’s degree.

Although most programs do not require applicants to major in a specific area during their undergraduate studies, you may benefit from coursework in computer science, statistics, and health policy, or other related areas.

Health informatics salary            

Health informatics salary ranges from as low as $40,000 to $100,000 annually. Health informatics salary is dependent on different factors ranging from but is limited to academic acquisition, work experience, place of work, and other factors that determine wages such as the nature of the contract.

The field of health informatics is diverse and rewarding. Such jobs include opportunities to manage medical databases and maintain records on a secure network.

Medical records, histories, treatments, prescriptions, locations, doctors, insurance policies, and educational programs are all important aspects of health informatics.

Since the field represents a combination of computer skills and medical knowledge, health informatics workers are unusually qualified to help the industry progress.

Examples of health informatics               

Below are the perfect examples of health informatics;

1. Clinical Image Capture
2. EHR Alert Optimization
3. Predictive Analytics
4. Secure Texting
5. Shift to the Cloud
6. Syndromic Surveillance
7. Voice Dictation

Clinical Image Capture

Clinical image capture is a perfect example of health informatics. An imaging system would be able to easily capture any type of image and share it in a single, secure yet easily-accessed file that is also connected to the rest of the patient’s record which is essential for effective health care service delivery.

EHR Alert Optimization

EHR alert optimization is an essential tool in the healthcare system and it helps a caregiver to easily note different issues linked to a particular patient.

This may include screenings, drug interactions, chronic disease management, overdue lab tests, prescription recommendations, admission, discharge, transfer (ADT) notifications, and more.

Predictive Analytics

This is a very advanced technological innovation in the healthcare system. It can work using artificial intelligence software for efficiency.

In healthcare, predictive analytics studies a massive amount of data to find indications of common symptoms, diagnoses, workflows, and other outcomes.

Secure Texting

Using secure texting, medical professionals can communicate encrypted PHI from a desktop computer or mobile device within a private communications network.

Patient portals have brought a host of accessibility to patients and providers, opening up patients’ access to their own records, prescriptions, and lab results, and creating a new line of communication between the patient and the provider.

Shift to the Cloud

This is an important example of health informatics. It helps in the security of data on the cloud. So much data can be retrieved at any given point in time.

Syndromic Surveillance

Using both predictive analytics and EHR alerts, real-time patient surveillance can instantly identify potential adverse events.

Voice Dictation

This helps in improving artificial intelligence voice recognition to digitally transcribe healthcare providers’ notes and medical orders in real-time. This could reduce the amount of time spent on data entry and increase the amount of time that healthcare providers can spend interacting directly with their patients.

Top types of Health Informatics

Below are the most popular types of health informatics. As the names imply, these health informatics involve the use of information and communication technology in the different professions as outlined below for efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare service delivery.

• Nursing informatics
• Clinical informatics
• Pharmacy informatics
• Public health informatics
• Biomedical informatics
• Bioinformatics

Conclusion on what is health informatics

From the descriptions we have given so far, you can proudly give a renowned answer when asked what health informatics is.

The importance of health informatics cannot be over-emphasized. Having a sophisticated healthcare system will improve healthcare service delivery at all levels.

Informatics is being used to improve both individual patient care and the health of entire populations of people. Health informatics makes it possible for the healthcare industry to handle and maximize the massive volume of data within the healthcare system.

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Telehealth vs telemedicine is all about everything you need to know concerning health services rendered with the aid of technology.

This article on telehealth vs telemedicine is an essential piece for all that seek to know more about the massive adoption of information communication technology in the health sector.

However, this technological adoption has started for decades but the unavailability of facilitating technologies then served as limitations.

In recent times, the quest to know about telehealth vs telemedicine had increased spontaneously because of the hectic involved in visiting hospitals and clinics globally. Accordingly, many people are wondering about these words telehealth vs telemedicine and also telecare in some countries.

A frequent misunderstanding, we continue to hear relates to the difference between telehealth vs telemedicine and telecare, or lack thereof. In reality, each of these words refers to a different way of administering remote health care although some people see them as the same.

Overview of telehealth vs telemedicine

Telehealth vs telemedicine is the major keyword used in referring to medical and health services rendered virtually. In this article on telehealth vs telemedicine, everything you need to know will be made comprehensible. The differences, similarities, and controversial views will be elaborated accordingly.

Telehealth in telehealth vs telemedicine

The word telehealth includes a broad range of information technologies and services to render patient care and improve the healthcare delivery system in general.

Telehealth is a wider scope of remote healthcare service deliveries. It is a subset of E-Health, which includes the delivery of health information, for health professionals and health consumers, education and training of health workers, and health systems management through the internet and information communication technology.

Referring to health information services, health care education, and health care services in a broad sense, the term telehealth comprises all.

Telehealth enables the remote diagnoses and evaluation of patients in addition to the ability to remote detection of fluctuations in the medical condition of the patient at home so that the medications or the specific therapy can be altered accordingly. It also allows for e-prescribe medications and remotely prescribed treatments.

According to FCC, telehealth is a wider variety of remote health care services beyond the doctor-patient relationship.” The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) identifies four different telehealth modalities: 1) live video; 2) mobile health; 3) remote patient monitoring; and 4) store-and-forward

Telehealth involves the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technology platforms.

It covers a broad range of remote healthcare services to provide patient care and improve the general healthcare delivery system. It often refers to non-clinical services, such as providing training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education.

The global telehealth market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 28.6% to reach US$ 26.7 billion by 2025.

Types of telehealth

In this article telehealth vs telemedicine knowing the different types of telehealth will be of utmost importance. There are different modalities or types of telehealth which are listed below:

• Remote Patient Monitoring or RPM
• Synchronous Telehealth
• Store-and-Forward Telemedicine
• Mobile Health

Remote Patient Monitoring or RPM

This enables providers to record and monitor a patient’s health data remotely. It is a type of telehealth that uses technological devices to get vital signs needed to monitor a patient’s condition.

Remote patient monitoring technology shares patient medical data regularly with the patient’s care team. This technology transmits the information automatically, leading to active ongoing care monitoring in a more passive data collection process. If any problems with the patient arise, members of the care team can respond immediately. Telehealth vs telemedicine technology practically exists in these situations.

RPM is usually recommended for patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular illnesses. An important advantage of RPM is that it provides frequent monitoring at less cost.

Synchronous Telehealth

Synchronous interaction is the most well-known type of telehealth. It includes any video call or live chat software that allows a healthcare provider to communicate with a patient in real-time, or live.

Consultation is conducted across distance using two-way, interactive software housed in desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or other mobile devices such as smartphones.

Store-and-Forward Telemedicine

Store-and-forward telehealth involves specialized technology that allows a patient’s data to be collected, stored in a secure cloud-based platform, and later retrieved by another treating professional or staff, often in a different location.

Medical data, including images, test results, bio-signals, lab reports, and substantial documents can be acquired and transmitted (stored-and-forwarded) across great distances.

Appropriate releases are signed, experts vetted, and specific protocols developed. Collected data can include video-recorded intake interviews, medical images from x-rays or ultrasound scans, health history, or any other health parameter that can be measured.

Mobile Health

Smart devices have been used for many specialized aspects of health care that benefit from continuous data collection about a person’s behavior or condition. This is equally important to be considered in telehealth vs telemedicine understanding.

Smartphones, tablets, smart wearables like iWatch can monitor a variety of factors such as pulse rate, heart rate, and with some, blood sugar levels or quality of expired air.

Applications are now available to encourage healthier lifestyles and behaviors by providing heart-rate variability scores, sleep cycles, movement tracking, weight changes, dietary tracking and much more.

Benefits of Telehealth

The benefits of telehealth can never be over-emphasized in this article on telehealth vs telemedicine.

Below are some of the benefits of telehealth:

• Decrease wait time
• Convenience
• Prevention of diseases contracted from hospital visit
• Cost-saving
• Secured way of health care rendering

Telemedicine in telehealth vs telemedicine

Recognizing that there is no one definitive definition of telemedicine a 2007 study found 104 peer-reviewed definitions of the word the World Health Organization has adopted the following broad description.

The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities.

The many definitions highlight that telemedicine is an open and constantly evolving science, as it incorporates new advancements in technology and responds and adapts to the changing health needs and contexts of societies.

Benefits of telemedicine

• No risk of contracting a new illness
• Less Time in the Waiting Room
• No distance barrier
• Rendered from the comfort of your home
• Eliminate child or elder care issues
• On-demand options
• Access to Specialists
• Better Health

What led to telemedicine?

Telemedicine, a term coined in the 1970s, which literally means “healing at a distance” signifies the use of ICT to improve patient outcomes by increasing access to care and medical information.

In this article of telehealth vs telemedicine, there are four unique factors that facilitate the adoption of telemedicine which are:

• Provision of clinical support
• Bypassing geographical barriers
• Information communication technology
• Its goal is to improve health outcomes

Telehealth vs telemedicine  the controversy

This is our cardinal focus in this article, to understand what each of these terms stands for. We are confident that from what you have read you have gotten a better insight about the two terms telehealth vs telemedicine.

In recent times telehealth was considered different from telemedicine because it comes from a broader scope of health service delivery. However, the adoption of telemedicine has gone beyond what it used to be. Telehealth vs telemedicine can be used synonymously and both convey the same information in the health care system and the medical world because there is no limitation in telemedicine compared to telehealth because of technological advancement.

The benefits of telehealth vs telemedicine both have the same advantages in the health system which primarily is to overcome distance barriers and improve the general health system and medical service accessibility.

Telecare in telehealth vs telemedicine

Telecare is another term used by some people to refer to telehealth or telemedicine however there is a significant difference between telecare and telehealth although telecare falls under telehealth.

Unlike telehealth and telemedicine, it is continuous and automatic. Telecare practices monitor patients and minimize risks while allowing them to continue living in their own homes.

Telecare is facilitated by smart devices usually programmed for a specific medical service like evaluation, monitoring, and signaling.

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Best online doctor in recent is what most households are adopting and this adoption was escalated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The best online doctors are technology-driven health and medical services that allow you to receive health care virtually, without the need to visit a physician’s office in person.

You can now make digital appointments for all health issues including primary care, dermatology, mental health services, women’s healthcare, men’s healthcare, and more.

The best online doctor is equally referred to as telemedicine and is becoming a more viable option where the majority of people are self-isolating and socially distancing.

Using your internet or smartphone you can get in touch with a physician seamlessly at your own comfort.

Overview  of the best online doctor

The best online doctor comes with many promising advantages however the cons are equally present.

In this article on the best online doctor, we will consider you make your individual research through the links that will be provided in this article. Also, the essential things to consider before choosing among the best online doctor.

How to know the best online doctor?

To take a clever approach towards contacting the right virtual doctor or physician, there are things you consider. These are key elements that make online doctor services safe, reliable, and effective.

• Service availability
• Response time
• Wait time
• Specialty
• Note score
• Communication platform

Service availability

The availability of services a platform has to offer is an effective route to choosing among the best online doctors.

An Internet medical service provider should be readily available to offer patients a wide spectrum of care, including treatment for acute and chronic health issues mental and behavioral health care, preventative care, and prescription and lab services.

Response time

How effective is telemedicine in responding to patients? This is among the key elements to be considered in choosing among the best online doctors in 2022.

Wait time

This is one of the reasons people shy away from visiting the hospitals physically. In conjunction with wait time, there is a huge discouragement when people go to hospitals and wait for hours before being attended to.

Telemedicine rated among the best online doctor should be able to curb this discouraging factor of wait time for patients.

Specialty

Specialization facilitates professionalism, in order to choose among the best online hospitals, is essential you consider the specialty of a given platform. You want to make sure their medical coders are also specialized and use a CDI pocket guide for correct coding.

Note score

This is an essential factor to be considered in choosing among the best online doctors. All of the best online doctors included here ranked better on the score note.

This score is based on key elements like convenience, technological advancement, personalization, and others.

Communication platform

On which device can the online doctor be found or how accessible is the online doctor? Communication platform must not be neglected in choosing among the best online doctor.

List of the best online doctor

The list of the top 2022 best online doctor is in no specific order however, all the online medical and health service platforms listed are worth a try.

• MDlive
• HealthTap
• Teladoc
• Doctor on Demand
• Lemonaid
• Maven
• Amwell
• PlushCare
• Roman
• Anytime Pediatrics
• BetterHelp

MDlive

This company was founded in 2009 and is a leading telehealth provider of online and on-demand healthcare delivery services and software that benefit patients, hospitals, employers, payers, physician practice groups, and accountable care organizations.

They have a cloud-based Virtual Medical Office software platform that makes it possible for patients, medical professionals, and plan administrators to collaborate seamlessly and securely via voice, video, email, and mobile devices.

Payers and providers can also utilize the HIPAA-compliant system to collect and share clinical data from patient medical records, lab results, and in-home biometric devices for real-time risk assessments, wellness advice, diagnosis, and treatment.

This health and medical service delivery company is in no doubt among the top 2021 best online doctors that offer affordable consultations via a nationwide network of board-certified physicians and licensed therapists.

Why choose MDlive as your best online doctor

• Readily available 24/7 via a browser or smartphone app
• Upfront pricing
• Accepts insurance
• Offers primary care in addition to dermatology, therapy, and psychiatric services
• You can browse doctor profiles and schedule an appointment online
• Live chat is available for hearing impaired persons

Limitations of MDlive as your best online doctor

• Payment collected prior to your appointment
• longer Wait time

HealthTap

This company was founded in 2010 with a bold and ambitious mission: to give real-time access to high-quality, affordable healthcare to all.

HealthTap is a technology company delivering a suite of connected health apps. Their customers include health systems, insurance companies, and (self-insured) employers.

The main service offered by HealthTap is the ability to ask health questions, online and via mobile devices, to a network of U.S.-licensed physicians for free.

They also offer the ability to connect immediately or by appointment with a doctor for consultation via video conference, phone call, or text chat.

There are currently a number of versions of HealthTap available across several platforms and devices, including a version for the web along with applications for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Why choose HealthTap as your best online doctor

• Available 24/7 through a browser and smartphone app
• In addition to primary care, pediatric, counseling, and psychiatric services are also offered
• On-demand telehealth services are available by the membership at $15 per month
• You can search providers by specialty and user scores and schedule appointments online
• For non-members, there is a free service to assist with medical decisions and answer general questions about a specific health concern

Limitations of HealthTap as your best online doctor

• Services are covered by only a small handful of health insurers
• The monthly fee will continue to be billed to your credit card or Paypal account even if you don’t use the service
• The free services are either automated (such as their symptom checker) or take 24 hours before a medical question is answered.

Teladoc

Teladoc Health, Inc. is multinational telemedicine and virtual healthcare company based in the United States.

Primary services include telehealth, medical opinions, and licensable platform services. In particular, Teladoc Health uses telephone and videoconferencing software as well as mobile apps to provide on-demand remote medical care.

Teladoc lets you talk to a huge variety of medical specialists virtually, quickly, and for free using your existing healthcare plan, no matter what kind of medical issue or specialization you need to help treat your health concern or condition.

Just request a specialist, talk to your doctor over video or audio chat, and have them write a prescription or give you expert medical advice.

Billed as the first and largest telemedicine company in the United States, Teladoc Health was launched in 2002 and has acquired companies such as BetterHelp in 2015, Best Doctors in 2017, and Advance Medical in 2018. This company makes the list of best online doctor in 2021.

It trades on the NYSE and in 2019 was active in 130 countries and served around 27 million members.

Why choose teladoc as your best online doctor

• Accepts most major insurance, as well as HSA and FSA
• Online doctor visits are very generous in length, basically as long as you need
• No appointment necessary
• shorter wait time

Limitations of Teladoc as your best online doctor

• Visits cost more than high-quality competitors unless you have decent insurance and/or pay an annual membership fee

Doctor on Demand

Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, and Adam Jackson founded the company in 2012 to provide fast, easy, and cost-effective access to high-quality medical and behavioral health care.

The lack of access to affordable healthcare is a growing problem, making the mission of doctor on demand that much more important. They can connect anyone with or without insurance to high-quality physicians, saving valuable time and money.

Hundreds of employers and health plans trust Doctor On Demand to provide care to their tens of millions of employees and members.

Doctor on demand put the patient first, developing long-term patient-doctor relationships, and providing families with peace of mind through fully integrated mind and body care.

Why choose Doctor on-demand as your best online doctor

• Easy to visit or schedule appointments
• High quality of medical care
• Accepts most major insurance
• No membership or subscription fees

Limitations of as your best online doctor

• Visit duration wasn’t the most generous
• High cost when uninsured

Lemonaid

Provider of an online telemedicine platform intended to bring affordable healthcare to patients. The company’s online telemedicine platform takes details of medical history, symptoms, current medicines, and allergies and uses evidence-based guidelines to give a prescription, enabling users to get improved, quality care that is accessible and available at a reduced cost.

It was founded in 2013 by Ian Van Every, Jason Hwang, Paul Johnson, and co.

They work to bring ultra-low-cost healthcare to everyone in America and to make primary care so affordable and accessible that everyone can get great care when they need it, regardless of insurance.

Why choose Lemonaid as your best online doctor

• Very competitive pricing that is lower than typical copays for many services
• Offers telemedicine services across a wide range of conditions, comparable to more expensive competitors
• Website and mobile app are both intuitive and user-friendly
• Partner pharmacies facilitate home delivery of your prescriptions if desired

Limitations of Lemonaid as your best online doctor

• Insurance is not accepted for doctor consultations (though, as described above, visit costs are comparable to insurance copays)

Maven

Maven was founded in 2014 by Katherine Ryder 2014 with the core vision of reimagining healthcare for women and families from the ground up after seeing firsthand how the lack of access to care impacted those starting a family and returning to work as new parents.

The company takes a holistic approach to women and family health, offering you access to experts that range from physicians and nutritionists to back-to-work specialists who can help new mothers transition back to their jobs. The app also hosts a robust peer community, where you can converse with other members.

Maven’s telemedicine service is not for women only. The app serves same-sex parents and offers adoption services in addition to family medical care.

Why choose Maven as your best online doctor

• Available 24/7 via a browser or smartphone app
• Offers comprehensive telehealth services for women and their families, including fertility counseling, perinatal care, midwife services, mental health counseling, and pediatric primary care
• Upfront pricing, starting as low as $20 per visit
• Offered as a member benefit by some health insurers

Limitations of maven as your best online doctor

• Although some insurers offer the service to their members, the company does not accept insurance
• Pricing varies by the duration of the appointment, with longer appointments incurring additional fees
• Mental health provider appointments can be more expensive, starting at $70 for 40 minutes
• Should not be considered a substitute for in-person perinatal care or midwifery services

Amwell

This company was founded in 2006 by Ido Schoenberg and Roy Schoenberg. It was formerly known as American Well, is a telemedicine company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that connects patients with doctors over secure video.

It sells its platform as a subscription service to healthcare providers to put their medical professionals online and its proprietary software development kits, APIs, and system integrations enable clients to embed telehealth into existing workflows utilized by providers and patients.

Amwell has roughly 700 employees and has raised more than $500 million from investors, including Anthem, Philips, Allianz, and Teva Pharmaceuticals, with the goal of connecting patients to healthcare providers remotely.

Why choose Amwell as your best online doctor

• Accepts most major insurance
• No appointments necessary
• No membership fees at all

Limitations of Amwell as your best online doctor

• Doctors set visit prices in some cases
• Uninsured or underinsured will pay more than some competitors
• Doctor’s visits are relatively brief

PlushCare

According to PlushCare, from the beginning, their mission has remained unchanged: to help all people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Plushcare was founded by Dr. James Wantuck and Ryan McQuaid started PlushCare Ryan had spent plenty of time waiting around for doctors, and James, as a doctor himself, knew how clogged the healthcare system was.

Ironically, the first PlushCare headquarters was in the back room of a doctor’s office in San Francisco. Dr. Wantuck saw patients via video, while Ryan manned the phones and booked appointments.

Why choose Plushcare as your best online doctor

• Accepts many major insurance providers
• 30-day free trial is very useful for people accessing telemedicine for the first time
• Veterans and active-duty military pay only $49 per visit
• Membership is relatively low-cost
• You can have appointments via either computer or smartphone

Limitations of Plushcare as your best online doctor

• Appointment required
• Monthly membership fees will add up to $180 per year and is kind of essential in order to make the most of the service

Roman

This company was founded in October 2017 by Zachariah Reitano, Saman Rahmanian, and Rob Schutz.[

The company has both a telemedicine practice and a pharmacy to distribute medications for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, premature ejaculation, cold sores, and genital herpes treatments.

Why choose Roman as your best online doctor

• A confidential way for men to address certain sexual health concerns
• Offers a free telehealth consultation with a certified physician
• Doctors can prescribe medications for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, genital herpes, and other conditions
• Prescription prices are reasonable with free two-day shipping
• Unlimited follow-up consultations are offered if you’ve received medication

Limitations of Roman as your best online doctor

• You cannot choose your doctor
• Does not accept insurance
• The telehealth service is offered as a means to conveniently dispense a limited range of medications
• Treatment options for premature ejaculation and testosterone deficiency are limited to one product each (and are of uncertain benefit)
• Should not be considered a substitute for in-person medical care with a urologist

BetterHelp

BetterHelp was founded by Alon Matas in 2013, after he faced personal challenges finding professional counseling services that accommodated his schedule. With the mission of helping all those facing similar challenges in gaining access to professional counseling, Matas partnered with co-founder Danny Bragonier to develop BetterHelp’s web-based counseling portal and therapist directory.

It is an online platform that provides direct-to-consumer access to mental health services. The online counseling and therapy services are provided through web-based interaction as well as phone and text communication.

In 2015 it was acquired by Teladoc, Inc. however, BetterHelp maintained its brand name post-acquisition and continues to provide online counseling services to consumers.

Why choose Betterhelp as your best online doctor

• Allows you to search and select mental health professionals based on their credentials, specialties, and user reviews
• Counseling can be conducted via video conferencing, live chat, messaging, or phone
• The service is membership-based and costs $60 to $90 per week depending on your provider and/or the form of communication used
• You can remain anonymous if you choose

Limitations of Betterhealth as an online doctor

• Services are generally not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and most forms of insurance
• It can sometimes take days before a provider confirms the initial appointment
• Once you are paired with a counselor, their services are not unlimited and the availability of the counselor can vary
• Costs can add up as the billing is made every four weeks by credit card or Paypal and will continue until you cancel your membership even if you don’t use the service

Online doctor service

The online doctor service differs considering the platform and your medical or health issue. When you walk into a hospital and request for consultation from a doctor the services a doctor will offer are the same as that of an online doctor service.

Among the best online doctor listed above with some having a particular specialty, that is how the online doctor service is.

Online doctor service can only be considered different from normal hospital visits because of the ease of rendering the service and the platform on which the service is rendered.

If you know what a doctor does in consultation and medical health assessment, that is exactly an online doctor service.

 List of online doctor service

In this article on the best online doctor, are going to look at a few of the online doctor services which are listed below:

• Consultation
• Prescription
• Medical assessment
• Scheduling for laboratory test
• Routine guidelines and others.

Free online doctor consultation

Free online doctor consultation is what most people desire although those platforms that offer free online doctor prescriptions have limits and what they can offer to patients.

Among the best online doctor list, there are companies that offer free online doctor consultation however, that are cons to such service.

Is essential you note that in most free online doctor consultations, there are usually late response times and questions are usually answered on public ground in a sense that the answer given is for everyone.

If you really want to get the best online doctor consultation, the paid ones are in most cases better than free online doctor consultations.

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