Page 36 - Telemedicine - Essentials of Virtual Care Delivery Part One

SVMIC Telemedicine: Essentials of Virtual Care Delivery

with user-friendly, inexpensive digital health assist tools as the

overall cost may be less than the high cost of delayed care and
the resulting urgent or emergency care.

While a few systems (like lab equipment and medical imaging

viewers) are subject to FDA standards, most conferencing
platforms are consumer quality. Networks notoriously vary

in speed and bandwidth. Transmission quality is subject to
environmental variables like data load and weather. Device

failures and data interruptions commonly occur.

For unregulated applications, the phrase “Wild West” should

be kept in mind. There is certainly no doubt about the potential
usefulness of connecting patients to doctors electronically.

However, analogous to caring for patients who take unregulated
nutritional supplements or who use alternative medicine,

providers have an obligation either to become familiar with the
specific apps in question or to exercise due diligence in relying

on them for medical decision-making or treatment. It is likely
that consumer-managed health applications will increasingly

become certified by trusted organizations and supplied by
trusted vendors.

Additional Security Considerations

Something as simple as using an older version of

the software can leave technology vulnerable to a
security breach. Physicians and other providers

should take steps to protect patient information. Be
sure you do not conduct visits in areas where

patient information could be overheard, seen, or otherwise
interpreted by third parties.

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