As the world continues to uncover new technology, healthcare also evolves. Now, patients have more convenient access to their doctors and can even have appointments out of the comfort of their own homes. This technology fits under the terms telehealth and telemedicine.
As more advancements continue to be made, it can be a bit confusing to differentiate between telehealth vs. telemedicine. Are they the same? If not, what makes them different?
The terms are similar but there is a difference. Read on to learn more about the two and what makes them independent from each other.
Brief History of Telehealth and Telemedicine
Telehealth and telemedicine are not new innovations. In fact, they have been around for decades. It began with doctors providing health services for patients dating as far back as the 1940s.
The practices started with doctors using telephones to transmit radiology images to patients miles away. This was beneficial for both the patient and the physician. It allowed people to get their test results quicker without being inconvenienced by travel.
Telehealth and telemedicine services continued to expand in the 1950s. The 50s gave rise to virtual medical classes. Continuing on, in the 1960s we saw the inception of video consultations.
Today, the two have evolved greatly with the rise of new technologies.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunication technology. It’s used to support long-distance healthcare services and support care. Telehealth is a broad term and encompasses video conferencing, educational resources, and store and forward imaging.
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine involves the practice of caring for patients remotely. It’s often quick and efficient and provides patients with 24-hour care in their homes.
It’s also a helpful tool because it allows doctors to reach more people than they normally would. With telemedicine, physicians can assist people from all over the world with ease. This allows them to help serve more people in a day.
Telemedicine includes video consultations, evaluations and diagnosis, and medical imaging transmission.
Telehealth vs. Telemedicine
The two terms may seem similar and are often used interchangeably, but there are noticeable differences.
To start, telehealth includes more services while telemedicine does not. Telemedicine is specific to doctors’ appointments and diagnoses.
Telehealth involves health services as well as information and includes non-clinical services. Telemedicine is strictly for clinical services.
Since telehealth is such a broad term, it does include telemedicine but not vice versa.
Both provide efficient healthcare services to patients. One just includes services and education, and the other is strictly focused on remote patient monitoring.
Now You Know The Difference Between Telehealth and Telemedicine
Telehealth and telemedicine have both helped to revolutionize the healthcare industry. Healthcare has become more convenient because of them. And it’s accessible to fit the busy lifestyle of both patients and doctors.
The services have helped to make patients feel more empowered about their health. By giving them the freedom and flexibility to do health on their time.
Telehealth and telemedicine have expanded the number of services that are provided. What began in the 1940s as a way to transmit images to remote areas, now allows doctors to care for patients all over the world.
Overall, it’s not telehealth vs. telemedicine but rather accessible at-home care and education.
For more insightful healthcare articles, make sure to explore the rest of our website.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
