COVID-19 has led to a boom in telehealth, with some health care facilities seeing an increase in its use by as much as 8,000%.
This shift happened quickly and unexpectedly and has left many people asking whether telehealth is really as good as in-person care.
I’ve studied telehealth as a Ph.D. researcher while using it as a registered nurse and advanced practice nurse. Telehealth is the use of phone, video, internet and technology to perform health care, and it can be just as effective as in-person health care. But as many patients and health care professionals switch to telehealth for the first time, there will inevitably be a learning curve.
There are three main types of telehealth: synchronous, asynchronous and remote monitoring. Knowing when to use each one – and having the right technology – is critical to using telehealth wisely.
Synchronous telehealth is a live, two-way interaction. Health care providers generally prefer video conferencing over phone calls because nearly anything that can be done in person can be done over video. But some things, such as taking blood samples, cannot be done over video.
There will inevitably be a learning curve.
Many of the limitations of videoconferencing can be overcome with the second telehealth approach, remote monitoring. Patients can use devices to get objective data that is uploaded to health care providers. Devices exist to measure blood pressure, temperature, heart rhythms and many other aspects of health. Researchers have shown that remote monitoring approaches are as effective as – or better than – in-person care for many chronic conditions.
Some remaining gaps can be filled with asynchronous telehealth. Patients and providers can use the internet to answer questions, describe symptoms, refill prescription refills and make appointments.
Managing ongoing care for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease can be as safe as or better than in-person care.
Research has shown that it can also be used effectively to diagnose and even treat new and short-term health issues. The tricky part is knowing which situations can be dealt with remotely.
Imagine you took a fall and want to check if you broke your arm. At a hospital or clinic, the first health care professional you’d see will diagnose the problem and give you basic medical advice. If that person thinks you need more involved care, they can recommend the next steps you should take.
This first interaction can easily be done using telehealth. If a patient needs further care, they would simply leave home to get it. If not, then telehealth saved a lot of time and hassle.
Research has shown that using telehealth for things such as minor injuries, stomach pains and nausea provides the same level of care as in-person medicine and reduces unnecessary ambulance rides and hospital visits.
Some research has shown that telehealth is not as effective as in-person care at diagnosing the causes of sore throats and respiratory infections. Especially now during the coronavirus pandemic, in-person care might be necessary for respiratory issues.
For obviously life-threatening situations, patients should still go to hospitals and emergency rooms.
Telehealth can be an incredibly effective tool. But the question of when to use telehealth must also consider the risk and burden of getting care.
COVID-19 increases the risks of in-person care, so while you should obviously still go to a hospital if you think you may be having a heart attack, right now, it might be better to have a telehealth consultation about acne.
Burden is another thing to consider. Time off work, travel, wait times and the many other inconveniences that go along with an in-person visit aren’t necessary simply to get refills for ongoing medication.
Of course, not all health care can be done by telehealth, but a lot can, and research shows that in many cases, it’s just as good as in-person care.
Jennifer A. Mallow is an associate professor of nursing at West Virginia University. Distributed by The Associated Press.
