NCCU School of Library and Information Sciences

Emergence of Telehealth in the Field of Health Informatics

Shannon Simmons Norman Downer Michelle Robinson

ABSTRACT FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

The use of telehealth steadily increases as it has become a viable Telehealth been around for centuries, there has always been a Telehealth is heavily depended on technology in order to
modality to patient care. The objective of this research poster is to push to deliver health care quicker and to areas where transpor- deliver remote health care which includes clinical services
explore the telehealth and patient satisfaction in regards to effec- provided using telemedicine, as well as interactions with
tation is not easily accessible. According to telehealth has grew
tiveness and efficiency. Early adopters attempt to use telehealth to automated systems or information resources. Common
56% from 2013 through 2018 in market value and patients. In technology includes the following:
deliver high-quality care. Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of
2013 telehealth market value was over $240 million and in 2018
how well the telemedicine modality met patient expectations. Tele-
health is involved with the use of modern information technology, the market value has increased to $1.9 billion. In 2013 it has been
Email, video conferencing, teleconferencing, digital ther-
especially two-way interactive audio/video communication, comput- reported that 250,000 patients used a method of telehealth to re- mometer, digital audio stethoscope, digital blood pressure
ers and telemetry to deliver health services to remote patients to fa- ceive health care. In 2018 now there are 3.2 million people that monitor, ultrasound, mammography and digital x-ray, pulse
cilitate info exchange between PCP’s and specialists at some dis- depend on telehealth to receive medical attention. oximeter etc...
tance from each other.

OBJECTIVES CHALLENGES EMPLOYMENT

Due to the increased use of telehealth initiatives, an influx of
With the lack of a physician or nurse being able to see the job opportunities have opened up for clinical healthcare and
Providing remote and rural patients with access to care patient, this would be one of the biggest challenges with lia- patient services, as well as information technology. The U.S.
bilities and lawsuits from a legal stance as it could easily be
Improving leverage of limited physician resources Department of Education reported that skill-based careers are
putting the provider at risk for a lawsuit in the event that for
example a patient was misdiagnosed for an ailment due to developed as demand for telemedicine increases, and the
Reducing cost of care delivery not physically being able to confirm symptoms via tele- government has invested millions of dollars to ensure that in-
health over telecommunication. Different jurisdictions would terested individuals receive adequate training. By using online
Providing 24/7 access to specialists
also apply to the degree that a lawsuit would be filed in re- and community college-based programs, aspiring health IT
Improving patient convenience gards to miscommunication for telehealth. Other challenges professionals can develop skills and expertise for operating
are misdiagnosis, payments because some insurance do telehealth networks. The market for telehealth is expected to
Increasing patient engagement and satisfaction not cover telehealth expenses and lack f telehealth ven- grow at an annual rate of 32 percent through 2018, according
dors. to the Institute for Healthcare Consumerism.
Reducing hospital readmissions

30%
Geographic
64%
Availability
30% of the US population that live in rural areas have access to telehealth 64% of telehealth supported vendors, health facilities and health specialist
technologies offers 24 hours health care access.

39% 67%
Mobile Integration Growing Trend
39% of US physicians communicate online with patients via email, secure 67% of healthcare professionals are already using some form of tele-
messaging, instant messaging or online video conferencing health now or are planning to in the near future.