BM565 Digital Business & New Technologies

CW1 Individual Report: Asynchronous telemedicine

Student Name: Cristian Noaghe

BNU ID: 22023784

OBC ID: 20002316

Tutor: Owasis Malik

Table of Contents

Introduction

Asynchronous telemedicine is a topic that has become increasingly important in recent years. With the growing need for remote healthcare solutions, telemedicine has emerged as a viable option for patients and healthcare providers alike. Asynchronous telemedicine, in particular, has become a popular option for patients who require medical attention but may not be able to schedule an appointment during regular office hours. This report aims to explore the themes, trends, and arguments that have emerged about asynchronous telemedicine.

Why you deem this topic to be of importance.

Asynchronous telemedicine, also known as store-and-forward telemedicine, involves the transmission of patient medical data and images to a healthcare provider or specialist for assessment and diagnosis at a later time. There are several reasons why this topic is important. Firstly, Asynchronous telemedicine has the ability to enhance healthcare access for people who live in distant or underserved areas, as well as those who have mobility or transit issues. (Das et. al., 2022). By enabling patients to send medical data to providers remotely, asynchronous telemedicine can reduce the need for in-person appointments, which can be particularly beneficial in areas with limited healthcare resources.

Asynchronous telemedicine can lead to more efficient and effective healthcare delivery, as healthcare providers can review and analyze patient data at their own pace, potentially reducing errors and improving the accuracy of diagnoses. This approach can also reduce healthcare costs by eliminating the need for unnecessary in-person appointments and allowing healthcare providers to manage a larger patient population (Martinez et. al., 2022).

Asynchronous telemedicine has become increasingly important due to the growing need for remote healthcare solutions. With the advent of technology, patients can now receive medical attention from the comfort of their own homes. Asynchronous telemedicine offers patients the ability to communicate with healthcare providers at their convenience, which is especially important for those who have busy schedules or who live in remote areas. This technology has also become crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows patients to receive medical attention without putting themselves or others at risk.

b) How this topic has developed

Asynchronous telemedicine has been around for several years but has recently gained popularity due to advances in technology. In the past, telemedicine was limited to synchronous interactions, such as video conferencing. The development of secure messaging platforms, patients and healthcare providers can now communicate asynchronously, making telemedicine more accessible to a wider range of patients. Advancements in technology and changes in healthcare delivery models have led to increased interest and adoption of this approach in recent years.

One major factor driving the development of asynchronous telemedicine is the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, which require ongoing monitoring and management (Frankl et al., 2021). Asynchronous telemedicine can provide a way for patients to transmit data to their healthcare providers on a regular basis, allowing for more timely interventions and adjustments to treatment plans. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in general, including asynchronous telemedicine. The need for social distancing and reduced in-person contact has made telemedicine a more attractive option for both patients and healthcare providers. Asynchronous telemedicine, in particular, has been useful in situations where real-time consultations are not necessary or practical.

The development of new technologies, such as cloud-based storage and image analysis software, has also contributed to the growth of asynchronous telemedicine. These tools make it easier for healthcare providers to store and analyze patient data remotely, without the need for specialized hardware or software. The development of asynchronous telemedicine has been driven by a combination of factors, including changes in healthcare delivery models, technological advancements, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As telemedicine continues to evolve, it is likely that asynchronous approaches will continue to play an important role in healthcare delivery.

A detailed description of the technology used in this topic and what it is used for

Asynchronous telemedicine involves the use of secure messaging platforms to communicate with healthcare providers. Patients can send messages to their healthcare provider at any time, and the provider can respond at their convenience. This technology is used for a variety of medical concerns, including chronic disease management, medication management, and mental health support. Patients can also send photos or videos to their healthcare provider, which can be helpful for diagnosing certain conditions. The technology used in asynchronous telemedicine includes a variety of tools and platforms designed to enable the transmission, storage, and analysis of patient data.

One key technology used in asynchronous telemedicine is secure messaging platforms or Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems that allow patients to securely transmit their medical data to their healthcare providers. These platforms can be accessed through a web-based portal or mobile application, and allow patients to upload information such as medical images, laboratory results, and patient history. Providers can then access this information at a later time and review it for diagnosis and treatment planning (Hilty et. al., 2021). The technology used in asynchronous telemedicine is cloud-based storage systems that allow healthcare providers to store patient data securely and access it from any location with an internet connection. This can include medical images, test results, and other patient data. Cloud-based storage systems can also enable providers to share patient data with other healthcare professionals, such as specialists or consulting physicians, for collaborative diagnosis and treatment planning.

Image analysis software is also an important technology used in asynchronous telemedicine, particularly for the understanding of medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. This software can be used to analyze images and provide diagnostic information to healthcare providers, allowing them to make more accurate and informed diagnoses. AI and ML are increasingly being used in asynchronous telemedicine to analyze patient data and provide diagnostic insights. The technology used in asynchronous telemedicine is designed to enable the secure transmission, storage, and analysis of patient data, allowing healthcare providers to make more informed diagnoses and treatment plans, even when real-time consultations are not possible.

What technological platforms and software are used in the topic

There are several technological platforms and software used in asynchronous telemedicine. Some of the most common ones include:

Secure messaging platforms and electronic health record (EHR) systems: These platforms allow patients to securely transmit their medical data to healthcare providers. Examples of these platforms include Epic, Cerner, and Meditech (Stephens and Greenberg, 2022).

Cloud-based storage systems: These systems enable healthcare providers to store patient data securely and access it from any location with an internet connection.

Image analysis software: This software is used to analyze medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Examples of image analysis software include Mammography Reporting System (MRS) and National Imaging and Informatics System (NIIS).

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms: These algorithms can be used to analyze patient data and provide diagnostic insights. Examples of AI and machine learning platforms used in asynchronous telemedicine include IBM Watson Health and DeepMind Health.

Mobile health (mHealth) applications: These mobile apps can be used by patients to transmit their medical data to healthcare providers. Examples of mHealth apps include MyChart and Healow ( Stephens and Greenberg, 2022).

Video conferencing platforms: These platforms enable real-time consultations between patients and healthcare providers, but they can also be used for asynchronous consultations. Examples of video conferencing platforms include Zoom, WebEx, and Skype.

The Type of Business and Organization That Uses the Technology

Asynchronous telemedicine is used by a variety of businesses and organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. This technology is particularly useful for organizations that serve rural or remote communities, as it allows patients to receive medical attention without traveling long distances. It is also popular among mental health providers, as it allows patients to communicate with their provider at their convenience, which can be helpful for those who have busy schedules or who may be hesitant to seek in-person care (Smiley, 2022). The technology used in asynchronous telemedicine can be used by a variety of businesses and organizations in the healthcare industry, including:

Hospitals and healthcare systems: Asynchronous telemedicine is used by many institutions and healthcare systems to virtually watch and handle patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease. This method has the potential to decrease the need for in-person visits, which can be time-consuming and expensive for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Clinics and medical practices: Clinics and medical practices can use asynchronous telemedicine to provide remote consultations with patients. For example, a patient can upload a photo of a skin rash to a secure messaging platform, and a dermatologist can review the image and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Telemedicine companies: There are several telemedicine companies that specialize in asynchronous telemedicine. These companies provide secure messaging platforms, mobile health apps, and other tools that enable remote consultations between patients and healthcare providers.

Medical device companies: Some medical device companies specialize in developing devices that can be used for asynchronous telemedicine. For example, there are blood glucose monitors that can transmit data to healthcare providers through a mobile app, allowing for remote monitoring of patients with diabetes.

Research organizations: Research organizations can use asynchronous telemedicine to collect data from study participants. For example, a researcher can use a secure messaging platform to collect data on patients with a rare disease, even if those patients are located in different parts of the world.

How it is used as a business tool and how effective it is

Asynchronous telemedicine has become an effective business tool for healthcare providers. By offering telemedicine services, providers can expand their reach and offer medical attention to a wider range of patients. This technology also allows providers to offer more flexible scheduling options, which can be helpful for patients who have busy schedules. Additionally, asynchronous telemedicine can be cost-effective, as it can reduce the need for in-person appointments. The effectiveness of asynchronous telemedicine has been studied extensively in recent years. Many studies have found that asynchronous telemedicine is effective for a variety of medical concerns, including chronic disease management and mental health support. One study found that patients who used asynchronous telemedicine for mental health support experienced a significant reduction in symptoms (Vidal-Alaball et. al., 2020). Another study found that patients who used asynchronous telemedicine for chronic disease management experienced improved health outcomes. The effectiveness of asynchronous telemedicine as a business tool can depend on various factors, including the specific use case, the technology platform used, and the level of adoption by healthcare providers and patients. Studies have shown that asynchronous telemedicine can improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs, making it an effective tool for healthcare providers to use as part of their business strategy.

Asynchronous telemedicine can be used as a business tool in several ways, including:

Improving patient outcomes: By enabling remote consultations and monitoring, asynchronous telemedicine can improve patient outcomes, such as reducing hospital readmissions and improving chronic disease management. This can result in higher patient satisfaction and increased loyalty to healthcare providers.

Increasing efficiency: Asynchronous telemedicine can reduce the time and resources needed for in-person consultations and visits, leading to increased efficiency for healthcare providers. It can also reduce the need for administrative staff to manage appointments and patient records.

Expanding reach: Asynchronous telemedicine can expand the reach of healthcare providers, allowing them to serve patients in remote or underserved areas. This can also allow healthcare providers to expand their patient base and increase revenue.

Reducing costs: Asynchronous telemedicine can reduce the costs of providing healthcare services by reducing the need for in-person visits and procedures. This can result in cost savings for both healthcare providers and patients.

Conclusion

Asynchronous telemedicine has become an important topic in healthcare, offering patients a convenient and accessible way to receive medical attention. The development of secure messaging platforms has made it possible for patients to communicate with their healthcare providers asynchronously, expanding the reach of telemedicine services. This technology has become particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows patients to receive medical attention without putting themselves or others at risk. Asynchronous telemedicine is used by a variety of businesses and organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and has become an effective business tool for healthcare providers. Studies have shown that asynchronous telemedicine is effective for a variety of medical concerns, making it a promising solution for remote healthcare. Asynchronous telemedicine is likely to continue to develop and evolve as technology advances, offering patients even more accessible and convenient healthcare options in the future.

Reference

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