Telemedicine is becoming more widespread – but broadband speeds, access must keep pace

More than 15 million Americans received virtual medical care of some kind last year, according to the American Telemedicine Association, which expects an increase of 30 percent this year. Telemedicine is increasing access and deliverability to those that need medical assistance. For example, The Baltimore Sun reported how telemedicine can increase monitoring and the immediacy of preventative care:

Aided by his wife, Peter Schon wrapped a gray cuff around his upper forearm to take his blood pressure. Within seconds, thanks to wireless technology, his reading popped up on a computer screen in his home near where he sat in a brown leather recliner.

A couple of minutes later, the phone rang. On the other end was a registered nurse from a skilled nursing facility, who had gotten a message that Schon's blood pressure was elevated. She wanted to make sure the Baltimore retiree was feeling okay and to determine if she needed to intervene before his high blood pressure turned into a serious health problem.

Schon, 80, suffers from a variety of illnesses that keep him homebound, but telemedicine enables nurses to monitor him virtually. The technology-driven remote monitoring and treatment has him — as he put it — living in tomorrowland.

Even in its early stages, telemedicine is improving lives, but its growth and continued success depends on delivering high-speed access to every household in the country. To make the practice of telemedicine possible nationally requires a commitment to pay for health services delivered to the point of need. Before the full potential of telemedicine can be realized, high-speed two-way Internet lines must be made universally available.

Link:

Telemedicine is becoming more widespread (The Baltimore Sun, Oct. 31, 2016)