The Social Prevention Services Working Group proposes several telemedicine interventions to reduce the risk factors for chronic disease and control it in individuals. These diseases include :

• Recently diagnosed cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection , end stage kidney disease, asthma and obesity

The recommendations of this working group for telemedicine interventions are based on the findings of four scientific and valid studies. They acknowledge that the use of telemedicine interventions can improve the following :

• Adherence to treatment,  such as outpatient follow-up and self-care goals
• Clinical outcomes , such as blood pressure control
• Nutritional  benefits , such as eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing salt intake

Areas of telemedicine that have been effective include :

• Text messages,  such as educational information, medications, and doctor's appointment reminders tailored to the patient's needs
• Internet-based content and software,  such as mobile health and reminder targeting
• Interactive content,  for example, the patient sends his health information to his health care provider .

Telemedicine strategies

Telemedicine or telemedicine includes the provision of health services and distance learning through electronic technologies and telecommunications. An important goal for telemedicine is to be a fundamental way to provide health services to the community. Currently, telemedicine can be offered in several ways. For example :

Live video call (simultaneous) :  This method is a two-way audio-visual communication between health care providers or between the patient and the health care provider. For example, cardiologists at different hospitals can communicate about the transfer of a stroke patient from one hospital to another for more specialized care .

Recording and sending video call :  This is the method of exchanging the patient's recorded health information between the providers or between the patient and the provider. For example, pharmacists in pharmacies can get medication recommendations to their health care provider via a secure email or patient portal .

Remote patient monitoring  remote patient monitoring  or  RPM  this method, the use of electronic devices to record the patient's health information to a doctor or person providing health services to check in another time. For example, a patient can use remote monitoring to measure their blood pressure regularly and send this information to their doctor or health care provider .

Mobile health,  mobile health  , or  mHealth  this method referring to health-related software applications on mobile phones and smart devices that are no longer used. For example, mobile health can include text messages or mobile software that help patients control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels .

Audio only :  This method refers to the use of a telephone line or cell phone to communicate between the patient and the health care provider. For example, the health care provider and the patient can talk directly about how the patient can manage chronic illness and its risk factors .

Definitions and policies vary as to what services can be covered and paid for by public or private insurance. Because the definitions of telemedicine or telemedicine are varied, not all of the methods listed may be recognized as telemedicine in all jurisdictions. Issues of patient privacy and confidentiality must also be considered for each approach .

Source: sinacare