Trends in Telemedicine and Virtual Care

#Virtualcare trends from 2023 that will inform 2024. Despite all the talk of telehealth not mattering or is 'over', it is the basis of most other digital health programs that are being built - doing a remote visit with tech is broad. And getting those basics has allowed laws/regulations/standards/tech etc to grow with it. ❇️ Hybrid models are growing and will continue to grow. Despite the focus on direct to consumer companies out there, most patients (and clinicians) work locally. Hybrid models are the long term game. ❇️ RPM, and in turn, hospital at home is building. HaH specifically grew in 2023 as it is a step further than RPM. Which is a step further than telemedicine at its basics. ❇️ Virtual nursing. I remember when we started discussing this at Panda Health a year ago, Matt, David, and I were researching whether there was enough traction to make this its own pillar. Glad we decided there was. VN already has some great companies and it's clear that the basics that telehealth companies have built upon have made VN move faster. ❇️ Reimbursement and regulatory hurdles are improving. Telehealth has bipartisan support (it actually has since at least 2016) which helps for much of this. Figuring out how to make it viable, get the billing standard, and educate everyone what you can get reimbursed for still remains the challenge. I'll add that the use of #AI will make #asychronous care more viable and usable. I predict we will see more that this year. 🙌🏽 (Check out our article on how to do this with empathy here: https://lnkd.in/edGSb_Cf ) —------------------------------------------------------ For other thoughts on telemedicine, its history and future trends, Telehealth Success: How to Thrive in the Age of Remote Care - the quintessential guide to telehealth and what it takes to be successful with telemedicine out now! Order now - link in bio and available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target #telehealth #telemedicine #digitalhealth #ai #regulatory #reimbursement #cms #virtualcare #rpm #hospitalathome

The hospital-at-home model is gaining momentum, supported by various types of health technologies, including #remotepatientmonitoring, #telehealth, and #analytics. Healthcare is moving increasingly outside the walls of hospitals, spurred by the popularity of outpatient and virtual care modalities. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) underpins most hospital-at-home programs. Under these programs, patients receive care outside the hospital, meaning clinical decision-making relies on access to real-time patient data. RPM tools can record and transmit continuous or intermittent patient data to care teams, according to a 2023 article in npj Digital Medicine. Hospital-at-home programs employ a wide array of RPM tools. These can include wearable devices such as blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and biosensors. They typically collect vital signs, which are measurements of the body's most basic functions. For example, pulse oximeters measure the saturation of oxygen carried in red blood cells, while blood pressure cuffs measure blood pressure — which isn't technically a vital sign but is often measured along with them. Biosensors are devices that measure "biological or chemical reactions by generating signals proportional to the concentration of an analyte in the reaction," an article published in Essays in Biochemistry states. Within the RPM arena, these tools can be used to measure heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and activity levels. Most of these devices are Bluetooth-enabled, transmitting data directly to clinicians in healthcare settings. Telehealth technologies connect patients and clinicians in various ways, including synchronous and asynchronous methods. Synchronous telehealth modalities include videoconferencing, audio-only conversations, and real-time messaging between patient and clinician. Asynchronous telehealth modalities connect patients and clinicians but not in real time. These include platforms that allow patients to send messages, videos, and pictures to their clinician, which the clinician then views and responds to at a later time. Most at-home hospital programs employ a hybrid telehealth and in-person care model. The telehealth aspect of this model allows clinicians to observe patients remotely and engage with them regarding the treatment plan and potential changes. Hospital-at-home programs require data analytics to be successful. The large amounts of structured and unstructured data generated from the RPM tools and telehealth solutions must be analyzed to allow clinicians to track patients' progress and make clinical decisions. Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, refers to models and tools that can make accurate predictions about future outcomes through pattern recognition, rule-based logic, and reinforcement techniques. #remotepatientmonitoring #virtualhealth #healthai #machinelearning https://lnkd.in/gd-HFNkr

Here are three themes that stood out to me in our newly released Future Health Index 2024 report – and my take on what they signify for the future of healthcare:   1. Automation can help relieve staff shortages, if used right   📊 What we found: a vast majority (92%) of healthcare leaders believe that automation of repetitive tasks and processes is critical for addressing staff shortages, but they also face skepticism from staff about automation.   👉 My take: We must always innovate backward from the needs of physicians. Used right, automation is not about replacing their skills – it’s about liberating them from tedious work they shouldn’t be doing in the first place.   2. Virtual care can extend the reach of patient care   📊 What we found: almost 9 in 10 healthcare leaders (89%) are seeing a positive impact of virtual care in easing staff shortages in their organization. 👉 My take: Remote patient monitoring will only continue to grow, especially post-operatively. The sooner you can send a patient home, while closely monitoring their health, the better. It offers patients a better experience. It frees up hospital capacity for the next patient. And it also creates new career paths for experienced staff, such as virtual nursing.   3. Leaders are embracing AI while also calling for appropriate safeguards   📊 In-hospital patient monitoring is the area where healthcare leaders have already implemented AI the most (43%), and in the next three years, their biggest focus is on implementing AI in remote patient monitoring (41%). At the same time, they are also calling for a measured approach to AI, expressing concerns about possible data bias. 👉 My take: We’ve moved beyond the point where AI was considered a threat. Clinicians have come to realize that AI can actually reduce a lot of friction in the processes they run. But as with all innovation in healthcare, it needs to be evidence-driven, and AI also requires guardrails for responsible use. 👇 Check out the full blogpost

In "Future Care: Sensors, Artificial Intelligence, and the Reinvention of Medicine," Jag Singh elucidates the transformative role of AI, digital health technologies, and digital therapeutics in revolutionizing healthcare. The book underscores a paradigm shift towards integrated, accessible healthcare systems and the quest for global health equity facilitated by digital means. Singh highlights the pivotal evolution of remote, home-based care, where the adoption of digital technologies such as wearables and apps is key to delivering sustainable, cost-effective healthcare amidst industry skepticism. Singh delves into the concept of open, vendor-agnostic remote monitoring platforms that promise to streamline the integration of various devices and technologies, aiming to mitigate hospital readmissions effectively. He also emphasizes the significance of digital tools in enabling early detection and timely intervention, particularly for the escalating population of Americans with chronic conditions projected for 2030. Despite its potential for reducing healthcare costs, virtual care sparks debates over the possibility of increased testing due to diminished personal interactions. The book also explores how digital and remote care platforms are redefining patient-provider dynamics, fostering a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare management and amplifying patient empowerment. Singh points out the shift in patient behavior, especially among younger demographics, who seek healthcare services that prioritize convenience, privacy, and immediacy, thereby fueling the growth of telehealth companies. Singh suggests that the integration of digital health services into existing reimbursement models, coupled with the potential for shared-savings strategies, necessitates flexible and adaptive business models in the healthcare industry. Drawing from global health system experiences, he advocates for digital integration and a modular approach in healthcare, which could enhance efficiency and patient care. This approach advocates for a precision medicine model, utilizing disease-specific management modules in collaboration with third-party vendors for specialized care delivery. Moreover, the increasing consumer demand for healthcare convenience, as demonstrated by the integration of pharmacies and telehealth services, presents a challenge to traditional hospital models. Singh emphasizes disease-specific strategies aimed at reducing readmissions and leveraging digital technology to address both economic and patient care implications. #healthcare #medicine #artificialintelligence #digitalhealth #digitaltherapeutics #telehealth #reimbursement #precisionmedicine

Excited to share insights from our latest podcast episode on the future of AI in healthcare, in collaboration with Healthline Media & Outcomes Rocket, featuring Fabric's CEO Aniq Rahman! My co-host, Dr. Jenny Yu, MD FACS, Chief Health Officer at Healthline Media, and I discussed Aniq’s vision for Fabric, the future of healthcare, and the role of AI. Aniq’s team has integrated several companies to fulfill their mission of “Creating more capacity to care” by eliminating busywork and enhancing patient experiences. Previously, Aniq founded Moat, which sold to Oracle for $850M, and he shared valuable insights on AI and entrepreneurial success. Here are three key takeaways: 🔍Navigating Digital Healthcare Trends: Aniq highlighted the evolution of telemedicine, which surged from 0.02% of total claim lines pre-COVID to 20% during the pandemic, now stabilizing at 5%. This shift underscores the need for omnichannel experiences to address clinical staffing shortages, capacity constraints, and consumer preferences. (More on this in my upcoming article on #phygital healthcare experiences.) 💡Transformative AI Solutions: Fabric leverages AI to revolutionize healthcare by automating mundane tasks and optimizing workflows. Their solutions enhance operational efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and reduce provider burnout. For example, digital discharge processes and asynchronous telemedicine in emergency departments reduce wait times, streamline patient navigation, and alleviate nursing burdens. 🤝Collaborative Innovation for Better Care: Aniq emphasizes collaborative innovation to drive systemic change in healthcare. By integrating AI-driven solutions, Fabric enhances patient-provider interactions, promotes health equity, and reduces healthcare costs. Through partnerships and technological advancements, Fabric aims to make healthcare more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered. Dive deeper into the conversation on the Outcomes Rocket and Healthline Media Podcast Series with Aniq Rahman for comprehensive insights into the future of AI in healthcare! 🌐 Full episode available here: https://lnkd.in/ejsVbvnf Don’t want to miss the insights we’re pumping out?  Subscribe to our Monday insights list here: [https://lnkd.in/ge-_UFpk #outcomesrocket #podcast #healthlinemedia #AIinHealthcare #DigitalTransformation #PatientCentricity

Wonderful session with Dr. Eve Cunningham MD MBA, Providence, Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health. Eve says: the maturation curve for virtual care is messy and takes time; we’re re-piping the way we deliver care with digital infrastructure. Key highlights: - Providence is one of the top 10 health systems in the US with $28+ bn in revenue, operating in 7 states with 50+ hospitals and 1000 clinics - It has 3 strategic priorities: workforce shortage and burnout, hospital throughput and capacity, care fragmentation - In virtual care and digital health, Providence has digital asynchronous care delivery using MedPearl; remote patient monitoring; remote physical therapy - Providence conducts 1+ mn virtual visits a year for ambulatory care - It has a large in-patient telemedicine program at scale across 7 states, meeting patients where they are in 90+ hospitals - Created clinical intelligence engine called MedPearl which provides actionable intelligence to clinicians at point of care. It’s a combination of digital assistant and content library to help the doctor address the cognitive, data and knowledge overload they experience. - Barriers to omnichannel healthcare are doctors being creatures of habit. As well, innovation that doesn’t work from the past decade of investment in innovation lacking necessary clinician input. - There’s a lot of regulatory uncertainty around virtual care; need permanency in reimbursement and insurance Link to full episode https://lnkd.in/e3V3AW3R. Thank you for tuning into The Beat! #health #healthcare #wellness #ceo #leadership #innovation #technology #digital #business #data #ai #artificialintelligence #generativeai #venturecapital #privateequity #investment #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #grateful #media #podcast #codebreakermindset #hlth HLTH

>>>New Research: Large Scaled Pilot Building Blocks to Implement a #Telehealth #Clinic to Improve #PrimaryCare Access - https://lnkd.in/eF4Y3V_2 A #lowcost, large-scale digital health clinic was implemented in selected urban and rural communities in the #Philippines to provide solutions for primary care access. In collaboration with local authorities, the pilot telemedicine clinic was implemented for 3 days in January 2023. #Patients were registered and their vitals were assessed before they were seen by a #remote #UnitedStates-based licensed #physician who provided recommendations for treatment. #Medicaldevices with real-time streaming capabilities, such as electronic #stethoscopes, were utilized to enhance #remoteexams. A total of 322 patients were treated at the telehealth clinic, with 218 completing a #populationhealth survey. Did the clinic increase #patientaccess? What were the foundational #technologies used to set up the clinic to empower #physicians and #healthcare team to integrate #telemedicine with no background in #coding or #programming? What #lowcode/ #nocode building blocks can be used to design a tailored #digitalhealth program? At scale, can this model be replicated to equip local #healthcaresystems and #governments to reduce #inequality in digital health #access around the globe? For complete details, view the fully #openaccess #article at https://lnkd.in/eF4Y3V_2 ***Meet the #Authors*** > Annalicia Pickering, MD > Wardah Rafaqat, MD > Adi Balk > Milton Chen > Limuel Abrogena, MD > Shuhan He > Mary Showstark > Alexander Davis > Aidan Chen > Jarone Lee, MD MPH Lee ______________ Next Issue Submission Deadline: May 1, 2024 View the current issue at https://lnkd.in/eAN4jVk ______________ ABOUT Telehealth and Medicine Today (#THMT) brings practical frontline research and insights to readers, and spotlights the economic impact of digital health innovations advancing value based care. The #journal bridges research excellence with real world implementation – on topics that matter to clinicians. Editors invite you to submit high quality #research, #reviews, and opinions. #digitalhealthtechnologies #hospitals #virtualcare Stanford University School of Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Yale University #PhysicianAssistant Online Yale Institute for Global Health Ateneo de Manila University School of Medicine and Public Health VSee Ben-Gurion University of the Negev #telemedicine

This is one of the most fascinating trends in healthcare: for the first time, patients now receive most of their care services as outpatients. To support that trend, hospitals rely more and more on telemedicine technologies and home care. This will be the main driver of adoption for connected medical devices at home: to provide care at home and remotely, we need better tools to help patients and caregivers collect objective information about their health. Beyond blood pressure, temperature and blood glucose, hundreds of new devices and home tests will provide new insights for a wide range of health conditions. This information will both empower patients so they can better care for themselves, and provide objective data to support healthcare professionals manage care programs. This new digital information will also enable a new wave of healthcare data automation. AI will play role of course, but most of the work will be on good old software automation and interoperability IMO. Health systems will have to do sizeable training and education investments so their teams become comfortable using these technologies and put in place efficient workflows. In the end, we'll realize it's the human component that requires the most investment, and like for phones and computers, these technologies are actually rather cheap! I'm hopeful that we're building this fast enough to support the increasing needs of our aging populations, and that we can expand access to care so it can be delivered where the patient needs it. Data: Access Strategy Partners Inc, American Hospital Association #healthcare #homehealth #homecare #digitalhealth #wearables #telemedicine #medicalwearables #ai #iot Carré Technologies Inc., Hexoskin, MEDTEQ+, Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio), Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio)

In today's age of digital health solutions, the concept of care is no longer confined within the four walls of a hospital room. The rise of remote patient monitoring devices is a testament to how technology is reshaping healthcare delivery, turning homes into extended healthcare spaces. Here's how it's gaining ground. 🌐 Expanding Care Boundaries - With an aging population, an increase in chronic diseases, there's an urgency to extend care beyond hospitals. Remote patient monitoring devices answer that call, providing real-time health data right from patients' homes. 📊 Personalized Care - These devices, ranging from wearable tech to blood pressure cuffs, offer insights into vital signs, medication adherence, and even movement. This real-time data ensures clinicians can craft personalized care plans, addressing health issues proactively. 🔐 Data Integration and Security - While capturing data remotely, the question arises: where does this data reside? Most of it, according to experts, is securely stored in HIPAA-compliant clouds, ensuring seamless integration with patient EHRs and facilitating informed clinical decisions. 🌍 A Wider Reach for Clinical Trials - Remote monitoring isn't just about real-time data; it's also expanding the demographic for clinical trials, making them accessible to a broader audience. 🩺 Empowering Patients - The continuous monitoring lets patients live confidently, maintaining their health awareness and staying connected to their healthcare providers. For patients with conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart failure, this is transformative. However, as with all technology, there's a learning curve. ⚠️ Adoption & Maintenance - Proper maintenance and correct usage are pivotal for optimal data gathering. 🛡️ Privacy & Security - Data protection remains paramount, necessitating protocols for data collection, transmission, and storage. 🔄 Digital Equity - Solutions should be robust and accessible, performing effectively even in low-signal areas. The next few years will see a surge in the adoption of these tools, especially with AI paving the way for advanced patient data analytics. One thing is clear, the future of healthcare is not just in hospitals. It's in the very homes we live in. Share your thoughts! 🏥🏠🌐 #artificialintelligence #digitalhealth #medtech