March 2019 Telemedicine News
Review the latest telemedicine innovations, partnerships, and research making news in March 2019.
FDA Approves EYE-SYNC VR Technology for Treating Concussions
The FDA recently gave breakthrough device status to EYE-SYNC, a technology aimed at improving concussion care management.
EYE-SYNC, a set of VR-enabled glasses, works by assessing the movement of both eyes - ocular-motor synchronization and vestibular balance dysfunction - and translating that movement into an algorithm for objective assessment. The technology is currently used by Stanford Children’s Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, the Pac-12 college sports conference, and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Devices like EYE-SYNC are a step in the right direction in the prevention and treatment of serious concussive illness for both professional and child athletes.
View complete story in mHealth Intelligence >
Prescription Dispensing Telemedicine Kiosks Launch
Imagine you are traveling cross-country and battling a nasty cold. Rather than waiting to arrive at your destination to find an urgent care clinic, you may be able to access treatment while waiting for your next flight on a layover.
OnMed, a startup out of Clearwater Florida, launched HIPPA-compliant telemedicine stations this month. Differing from previous telemedicine kiosks, OnMed stations can administer prescription medication via a locked dispensary containing the most commonly prescribed medications in common dosages - and not including narcotics. The kiosks are primarily for treating colds, rashes, and fevers.
The first units will launch in Mississippi and the company aims to deploy kiosks in airports, hotels, colleges, hospitals, and large private employers. Soon, telemedicine may be, literally, just around the corner.
View complete story in Med City News >
Ethics and Telemedicine: How to Handle End of Life Discussions
While one of the great promises of telemedicine is improved access to specialist care, the gray area on how to deliver bad news electronically is still a work-in-progress. Recently, an elderly California man was told via telemedicine he did not have long to live, leaving family members to translate the message. The man died two days later. While the telemedicine provider was correct in his assessment, the story has brought up ethical considerations on how to handle end of life conversations via telemedicine and when in-person human communication may be necessary.
View complete story in the New York Times >
Report Predicts Telemedicine Industry at Nearly 130 Billion by 2025
A new report by market research and business intelligence firm Global Market Insights projects the telemedicine industry to cap 130 billion globally and 64 billion in the US by 2025. Citing smartphone adoption, telemedicine insurance reimbursement, and favorable international government policies, the report expects the expansion of healthcare IT infrastructure to be the primary driver of growth in the coming years. The report specifically calls out growth in teledermatology and telehospitalist services in particular.
Why More Doctors Are Choosing To Work From the Couch
According to the AMA, only 15% of doctors work in practices using telemedicine. But as telemedicine adoption grows, more providers are trading in their scrubs for sweats on the couch. Take Lindsay Mcilvena for example. A physician who specializes in lifestyle and preventive medicine, Lindsay made the switch from private practice to full-time telemedicine and has 26 state licensures on her resume.
In this review of the virtual care landscape, learn why physicians like Lindsay are making the switch, and hear from companies hiring doctors like Lindsay on what it takes to practice telemedicine.
View complete story in Bloomberg >
Telehealth Shows Promise in Childhood Obesity Intervention
In a randomized trial, children with BMI of over 85 were treated with enhanced primary care plus health coaching via in-person and telemedicine visits. The program relied on parents to engage with the program via text message, video calls, or via a web resource. Results showed an 87% completion rate of at least one health coaching session, 72% satisfaction with message content, and 97% satisfaction with community resources. Due to the high level of participation and satisfaction rates, the program is paving the way for telehealth interventions in childhood obesity programs.