Trying to dodge traffic to get to your doctor’s office and having to wait a long time in a waiting room to see a doctor is tiring and frustrating. These days patients want convenience and to be able to connect to a doctor and be treated as quickly as possible. Also, when COVID-19 hit everything changed with how patients started to get treatment.
This brings us to the question of telehealth vs telemedicine and what’s the difference between the two. Here you can learn more about each, the benefits they offer, and how to get connected to a doctor who can help right away through the DrHouse Telehealth Services portal.
Table of Contents
- What is Telehealth?
- What is Telemedicine?
- Examples of Telehealth and Telemedicine
- Telehealth vs Telemedicine
- When to Use Telehealth vs Telemedicine?
- What are the Benefits of Telehealth and Telemedicine?
- Try DrHouse!
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth means that you can quickly see a doctor no matter where you are or what time it is to get the care you need. You can communicate with a doctor and get treated without having to physically leave your home and visit a doctor’s office. The visit is instead conducted online through your smartphone or a computer. It’s the overarching term used to describe delivering care using an online doctor through technology.
What is Telemedicine?
Through the use of technology, telemedicine allows you to be connected to a provider or doctor who can help treat you. There is no need to visit a clinic or hospital in this case. It’s the chance to communicate with a doctor in real-time to discuss your symptoms and medical issues. It will require an Internet connection and the use of technology. Telemedicine is a term that falls under the umbrella of telehealth.
Examples of Telehealth and Telemedicine
Some examples of telehealth include that it may be a public health app that alerts people in the area about an outbreak, or it can entail providers using technology or a video conferencing platform to receive continuing education.
As far as telemedicine examples go they include communicating with a patient and monitoring their health via a mobile app or through a secure software system. In some cases, providers can even remotely monitor a patient’s activities and vitals.
Telehealth vs Telemedicine
Telehealth:
- A broad term
- Technology is used to deliver services
- Examples include administrative or educational purposes
Telemedicine:
- A particular type of telehealth
- Technology is used to deliver medical care to patients
- The virtual doctor visit is performed online in different locations
When to Use Telehealth vs Telemedicine?
There are some instances in which you would want to use telehealth instead of telemedicine and vice versa. For instance, telehealth is a great option for you if you have mobility issues getting to and from the doctor’s office. Another situation in which you can use telehealth is to connect to a specialist to follow up on a surgery or to check an incision, for example.
You should use telemedicine in the instance that you have any of the following symptoms:
- Insect bites
- Infections
- Allergies
- Cold and flu
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Rashes
- Sprains
- Bladder infection
What are the Benefits of Telehealth and Telemedicine?
There are several advantages of telehealth and telemedicine to be aware of for both patients and providers.
Patients
- Greater and easier accessibility to doctors
- Have access to healthcare and doctors in underserved communities
- Quick diagnosis and intervention
- Less waiting time
Providers
- More cost-effective
- Better educational opportunities
- Saves time and can see more patients
FAQ
Are Telehealth and Telemedicine the Same Thing?
There is a fine line between telehealth and telemedicine but there is a slight difference between the two. Telehealth is sometimes referred to as telemedicine. Telehealth is the overarching term and includes not only the patient-doctor visit or service but also a wider variety of remote healthcare services beyond this specific type.
What Is the Difference Between Telehealth and Telemedicine?
Telehealth is an all-encompassing term for delivering healthcare services online or remotely. Telemedicine is the more specific term that falls under telehealth and refers to the patient receiving care from a doctor online through a computer or over the phone.
How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Use of Telehealth and Telemedicine?
Telehealth is an all-encompassing term for delivering healthcare services online or remotely. Telemedicine is the more specific term that falls under telehealth and refers to the patient receiving care from a doctor online through a computer or over the phone.
What Types of Services Can Be Provided Through Telehealth and Telemedicine?
There are different types of care you can receive using telehealth and telemedicine. Some of these include general care or wellness checkups, dermatology (skin issues), and prescriptions for medicine to treat certain conditions.
What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With Implementing Telehealth and Telemedicine?
Technology is needed to conduct telehealth and telemedicine services and not everyone has access to it or knows and understands how to use it. Not only that but if you have the technology and know how to use it there is the potential for it to not function properly. While there are benefits to using this type of service, there isn’t a large number of studies conducted to support that there is a long list of advantages and what these may be.
Try DrHouse!
If you are looking for a telehealth or telemedicine service to connect with a doctor, look no further than DrHouse!
With our telehealth app, you can connect to an online doctor with as little as 15 minutes of wait time. Our doctors are available 24/7 to listen to your issues and quickly diagnose and treat any medical conditions you might have.
Our clinicians can create a personalized treatment plan for you, provide guidance on how to manage your health, write doctor’s notes, and also write prescriptions if needed.
Try DrHouse today and start taking control of your healthcare! With our telemedicine app, you will never have to worry about waiting in long lines at the doctor’s office or having to travel for medical care again. Get easy access to quality healthcare now with DrHouse!
Key Takeaways
You’ve likely heard the terms telehealth and telemedicine to be thrown around a lot more these days and it makes sense you’d want to understand what’s the difference. You should now feel more informed about what each term means and entails and the benefits telehealth and telemedicine can offer both providers and patients.
It was certainly a lifesaver and a necessary type of service that came into play even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re in need of telehealth or telemedicine services then be glad to know DrHouse can help.
Get in touch today to learn more about our telehealth services and to get connected with an online doctor or provider that can diagnose your condition and prescribe medication if necessary. This way you can get the treatment you need quickly without having to leave your home so you can feel better fast.
Sources:
- Sanjay Sood, Victor Mbarika, Shakhina Jugoo, Reena Dookhy, Charles R. Doarn, Nupur Prakash, and Ronald C. Merrell. What Is Telemedicine? A Collection of 104 Peer-Reviewed Perspectives and Theoretical Underpinnings. Telemedicine and e-Health.Oct 2007.573-590.http://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2006.0073
- What Is Telehealth? NEJM Catalyst February 1, 2018. Available from: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.18.0268.
- Tony Peregrin. Telehealth Is Transforming Health Care: What You Need to Know to Practice Telenutrition. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. November 2019, Volume 119, Number 11, Pages 1916-1920. Available from: https://orders.fitchef.co.za/assets/fpn/139b372d71f046e8df91b141bd15ed07.pdf
- David C. Klonoff. Using Telemedicine to Improve Outcomes in Diabetes – An Emerging Technology. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. Volume 3, Issue 4, Pages 624-628. July 2009. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/193229680900300401
- Donald M. Hilty, Daphne C. Ferrer, Michelle Burke Parish, Barb Johnston, Edward J. Callahan, and Peter M. Yellowlees. The Effectiveness of Telemental Health: A 2013 Review. Telemedicine and e-Health.Jun 2013.444-454. http://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2013.0075
- Hjelm NM. Benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 2005;11(2):60-70. doi:10.1258/1357633053499886
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