Updated: October 2025.
Telehealth, also known as telemedicine, has become increasingly popular, especially in recent years. The advancement of technology has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, including how we access healthcare.
Telehealth services allow patients to receive medical care and consultations remotely, using digital information and communication technologies. This innovative approach to healthcare delivery offers numerous benefits, from increased convenience and accessibility to improved patient outcomes.
Telehealth has transformed the way healthcare is provided and accessed, bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers. It encompasses a wide range of services, including non-emergency virtual visits, remote monitoring, and tele-consultations.
These services utilize computers, tablets, or smartphones to connect patients with board-certified healthcare professionals. By leveraging technology, telehealth has made it possible for patients to receive the care they need, regardless of their location or time of day.
The concept of telehealth has been around for several decades, but its widespread adoption has accelerated in recent years. In the United States, the official government organization, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering recognizes the potential of telehealth in improving healthcare delivery.
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of telehealth, as many people turned to virtual visits to receive medical care while minimizing the risk of exposure. Telehealth has evolved to become an integral part of the healthcare system, offering convenient and accessible care to patients across the country.
Telehealth services offer a wide range of benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. From increased convenience and access to care to cost-effectiveness, telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery.
Telehealth has had a profound impact on healthcare delivery, transforming the way patients engage with healthcare providers and improving the overall healthcare system.
Telehealth services have the potential to alleviate the pressure on traditional healthcare systems, particularly in primary care settings. By providing alternative methods of care delivery, telehealth reduces the demand for in-person appointments, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patients who require more intensive care. By diverting non-urgent cases to telehealth platforms, traditional healthcare systems can optimize their resources and provide more efficient and timely care to patients.
Telehealth services offer the potential to improve health outcomes through continuous monitoring. With the help of wearable devices and remote monitoring technologies, patients can track their vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels, in real-time.
This continuous monitoring allows healthcare providers to detect any changes or abnormalities promptly and provide timely interventions. By actively involving patients in their care and promoting self-management, telehealth services contribute to better health outcomes and disease management.
Telehealth technologies have revolutionized healthcare delivery, offering innovative solutions that enhance patient care and improve healthcare outcomes.
Virtual consultations and diagnostics are key components of telehealth services. Through video or phone calls, patients can consult with healthcare providers and receive diagnoses and treatment plans remotely.
Telehealth platforms also enable healthcare providers to order diagnostic tests and receive the results electronically. This streamlined process eliminates the need for in-person visits to different healthcare facilities and reduces the time and costs associated with traditional diagnostic procedures.
Virtual consultations and diagnostics offer convenience, efficiency, and accuracy, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care.
Telehealth and Urgent Care Telehealth are both valuable components of modern healthcare, but they serve different purposes and address varying needs. Here’s a breakdown of how they differ:
Definition: Telehealth encompasses a broad range of remote healthcare services provided through digital means, including video calls, phone calls, and messaging.
Scope of Services:
Typical Use Cases:
Definition: Non-emergency telehealth focuses specifically on providing immediate care for acute, non-life-threatening conditions that require timely attention but do not constitute a medical emergency.
Scope of Services:
Typical Use Cases:
While telehealth services offer numerous advantages, there are also challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its widespread adoption and effectiveness.
Privacy and security concerns are paramount in telehealth services to maintain patient confidentiality and protect sensitive information. Healthcare providers must ensure that their telehealth platforms comply with industry standards and regulations regarding data privacy and security.
To address these concerns, telehealth platforms utilize secure websites and encrypted communication channels to transmit patient data. These platforms employ robust security measures, such as secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates and data encryption, to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access. Additionally, healthcare providers must obtain informed consent from patients regarding the use and storage of their data.
By adopting stringent privacy and security measures, telehealth services can instill confidence in patients and healthcare providers, facilitating the widespread adoption of these services.
To access telehealth services, you can download a telehealth app onto pretty much any mobile device. Once the app is installed, you can create an account, search for healthcare providers, and schedule virtual visits. For Impact Health Sharing members you must log in to the Member Center to see a virtual provider. There are no provider fees for virtual care.
While telehealth offers many advantages, it does have limitations. Some limitations include the inability to conduct physical exams during virtual visits and the reliance on internet access and technology. Additionally, patients in rural areas or those who require assistance from a family member may face challenges with telehealth.
Telehealth services cannot completely replace in-person visits, especially for certain conditions that require physical examination, or procedures. However, telehealth is a valuable complement to in-person care, providing convenience and accessibility. Telehealth is particularly useful for follow-up appointments, consultations with nurse practitioners or occupational therapists, and managing common conditions such as the flu.