The virtual doctor has entered the building. Telemedicine technology, also known as telehealth, has existed for nearly 30 years but it wasn’t widely available to the public until recently. It simply means: “medicine from a distance” and incorporates the use of technology to treat patients who don’t have access to suitable, quality or specialized health care.
Telemedicine offices are equipped with high-resolution monitors and computers that connect doctors to patients instantly. Doctors treat patients using an arsenal of tools through their keyboard — including cameras, electronic stethoscopes and blood pressure monitors.
“A patient would sit in front of a high definition television screen and a series of visuals would pop up on the doctor’s computer monitor from another state or country depending on the reason for the doctor’s visit. The doctor’s computer illustrates heart rate, and other vital signs,” explains Dr. Jim Woodburn, vice president and medical director of telehealth for United Healthcare. “We have cameras that can look into the eyes, ears and down the throat, and all that information is transmitted electronically to the attending physician.”
A telemedicine doctor’s visit is handled the same way as a visit to a brick and mortar doctor’s office. There is no difference in coverage and the price range varies by physician.
Woodburn says that telemedicine is advantageous to people who are recovering from surgery and need to follow-up with a cardiologist or specialist in another state.
In August 2009, United Healthcare in partnership with Cisco Systems launched a telehealth network that connects 600,000 patients to roughly 5,000 hospitals throughout the nation.
