While the use of mental health apps has been on the rise, researchers of a recent analysis published by the Annals of Family Medicine, which is broadly critical of these platforms, worry that these apps could lead to unnecessary diagnoses and misinformation about mental illness.
Category Archives: TeleMedicine
telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status
VA finalizes telehealth rule to let providers practice across state lines
The final rule will override state laws to create a nationwide telehealth program to improve care access and reduce wait times for veterans.
Who owns telemedicine delivery — payers or providers?
Just about everyone agrees in the basic vision for telemedicine: When a person gets sick, instead of jumping in the car to drive to a doctor’s office or urgent care center, they can pick up a phone or tablet instead, and get in touch right away with a doctor.
Global Telemedicine Market Providing Medical Solutions Across the Globe, Reaching USD 63.06 Billion by 2024: Energias Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
The global telemedicine market is expected to grow significantly from USD 22.94 billion in 2017 to USD 63.06 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 15.6% from 2018 to 2024. Factors such as shortage of specialist physicians in rural areas, and growing aging population coupled with high prevalence of chronic diseases are propelling the growth of the global telemedicine market. Moreover, increasing investment for advanced healthcare IT infrastructure and government initiative towards healthcare are boosting the growth of the telemedicine market. However, lack of trained professionals, and high technological cost are inhibiting the growth of the global telemedicine market.
Telemedicine Licensure Gives Doctors a Chance to Expand Their Reach
Dr. Bruce Miewald, a child psychiatrist in Idaho, is among the first to expand his practice through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. He’ll soon use a telemedicine platform to reach patients across the country.
Ga. Payer Pushes Telehealth to Replace Unnecessary ER Visits
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia will soon end reimbursements for non-urgent ER visits, and is asking members to instead use the insurer’s telehealth platform or visit the nearest urgent care or retail clinic.
Telemedicine cuts costs, increases potential liabilities
Increased use of technology to treat injured workers remotely potentially could speed treatment, give injured workers access to more specialists and reduce workers compensation claims costs, but telemedicine also introduces new risks that must be addressed, a panel of experts said.
ATA Accredits New Teleheath Training Program
The American Telemedicine Association Training Program Accreditation Committee voted to award accreditation for a Certificate in Telehealth offered by Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. The Telehealth Facilitator program is offered through the Institute of Emerging Health Professions at the University. The program consists of five learning modules (each designed to be completed in five weeks following the start of each program cohort), and successful completion of all program requirements will earn graduates a certificate and continuing medical education credits for some health professionals.
MDLive faces class action suit over alleged data privacy breach
An Illinois-based law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against telemedicine company MDLive, alleging that the company takes screenshots of sensitive patient health information and sends them to TestFairy, an Israeli company that does quality control on apps, and that this is a violation of patient privacy. MDLive, for its part, denies that there’s anything improper about its procedures.