WEEK 6
Explore the difference between Telemedicine and Telehealth and address when it is
appropriate to use each of these by addressing each's benefits and limitations.
Individual encounters with life-threatening diseases and recent pandemics globally cause
innovative trends with the delivery of health care. Telehealth and Telemedicine are emerging as
convenient and necessary ways of health care delivery. This document the difference between
Telemedicine and Telehealth, appropriate use of each, benefits, and limitations.
Koonin et al. (2020) define Telehealth as two-way communication between patient and
clinician using technologies to provide healthcare via various methods. The methods could
include the internet, cell phone, or computer apps. For example, Telehealth plays a role in
delivering health services to our veterans (Harvard University, 2015). According to Harvard
University (2015), Telehealth uses electronic tools to provide care remotely to patients. The use
could include assessments, diagnostic services, treatment, and consults (Edelman and Kudzma,
1018). Telehealth's benefit is that it allows access to health care services, and the costs could be
savings in transportation for the person. However, Harvard University (2015) mentioned
Telehealth as a cost saver to medical expense is yet to be determined, and additional evidence is
needed to support the claim. Telehealth is appropriate for chronic conditions and acute
conditions as well. According to Harvard Health Publishing (2021), helpful Telehealth includes
three ways: synchronous (the provider communicates with the client in real-time via a computer
or phone), asynchronous (recorded images, data, or messages are available later for the doctor to
use), and remote patient monitoring (measures are recorded, i.e., blood pressure or glucose and
sent into the primary provider via the computer or internet). Other advantages of Telehealth
include