Select a health care facility or service (e.g., hospital, physician practice, long-term care facility, ambulance service, pharmacy, or skilled nursing facility), and evaluate the effects that implementing the health option would have on a health care facility or service you selected.

The effects of using telemedicine in my physician’s practice have been evaluated by me.

Telemedicine is the remote delivery of health services via technology, including video consultations with patients and their health care professionals. The potential impact of telemedicine on physician practices is numerous.

1. Access to care is increased: Telemedicine allows patients to access health services from their homes. Telemedicine allows patients who are located in remote or rural areas or have mobility problems to receive care from their doctor without the need to travel.
2. Efficiency: Telemedicine has the potential to improve efficiency. Telemedicine reduces the need for consultations in person. By conducting telemedicine consultations providers can reach more patients faster and patients will be more inclined to go to appointments.
3. Telemedicine may result in both cost savings and patient satisfaction. Telemedicine can help patients save money on transport and parking, as well as helping physician practices save overhead on maintaining physical offices.
4. Problems in reimbursement Some insurance companies may deny coverage for telemedicine or offer lower rates of reimbursement than those that cover in-person consultations.
5. Technology requirements: Telemedicine needs certain technological requirements such as reliable internet access and video conferencing software. A physician’s practice will need to make investments in technology and train its staff.

Implementing telemedicine in a doctor’s practice could have many benefits. These include increased patient access and efficiency as well as cost savings. But, technology and reimbursement requirements may present challenges that will need to addressed.