While telehealth and telemedicine have been in existence for some time now, it wasn’t until the global pandemic that both medical professionals and patients alike had to embrace it out of necessity on a larger scale. Telehealth is already a $20 billion industry and it is expected to continue to grow significantly – to the tune of $186.5 billion by the year 2026.
Many may not understand the difference between telehealth and telemedicine – they are not interchangeable terms. Telehealth is more like having a Skype call with your doctor – it covers all remote non-clinical services such as fulfilling medication telepharmacy services, chronic condition support, physical and occupational services, provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing education. Telemedicine, on the other hand, allows for deeper remote clinical services to be performed remotely. These include diagnosing conditions, screening of symptoms, mental health services, offering low risk urgent care, support nursing home staffing, and delivery of specialist consultations. There may be nursing staff on site and medical equipment on the patient end.
Understand where you fit in the rise of remote health services through telemedicine. Learn more about what has been behind the booming business of telemedicine in the following visual deep dive below:
