TelehealthMonmouth University

Kaitlyn Howard

Definition:

Telecommunication technologies used to deliver health-

related services or to connect patients and healthcare

providers to maximize patients’ health status.

A relatively new term in the medical/nursing vocabulary,

referring to a wide range of health services that are

delivered by telecommunications-ready tools such as

telephone, videophone, and computer.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

History

O Born from remote monitoring of astronauts by

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA).

O Earlier examples include postal service or

telegraphs to transmit health information.

O Radio communications were used for medical

support on ships out to sea in the 1920’s.

O Use and advancement of telehealth has increased

in the last 20-30 years.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

FactsTelehealth monitoring was used for

308,000 patients in the United States in

2012.

The predicted use of telemonitoring

worldwide in 2017 for patients is 1.8

million

Telemedicine market to reach $24 billion

by 2016 worldwide

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Success in Telehealth:

Refined technology Clearer images

Faster transmissions

Accurate replication of data from remote locations to a central hub

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Demographics

People are living longer lives

Nursing and healthcare worker shortages

Demand for nurses exceeds the supply

Chronic diseases and conditions

Aging population with chronic illnesses is

expected to increase

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

The Driving Forces:

Educated consumers

More technologically savvy

Interested in consumer-directed healthcare

plans

Economics

Telehealth should be included to fill the gap of

patient overload and healthcare worker

shortages

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Store-and-Forward Telehealth Transmission

Images, video, and audio are captured and stored for later use (safely and securely)

Real-Time Telehealth

Allows for live interaction to take place

Remote Monitoring

Devices are used to capture biometric data

Example: EKG’s and EEG’s

Telephony

Telephone monitoring (most basic form)

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Distance education

Administrative meetings

Research using the Internet

These all overcome the obstacles of distance by

using telecommunications

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Telenursing• To provide nursing care through

telecommunications.

Benefits:

People who are immobile

Living in a remote or difficult to reach place

Chronic illnesses or diseases

Debilitating diseases( ALS, Parkinson’s, etc.)

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Consumers will drive healthcare and the way it is delivered in the future.

Nurses must be open to change and be ready to embrace the evolving practice models.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett