Less Than Half Of Providers Use Telemedicine

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

Telemedicine is used by less than half of care organizations to increase care coverage.

A recent report from HIMSS Analytics, The 2014 US Telemedicine Study, shows that less than half of care organizations are utilizing telemedicine technology. The report outlined several topics, including integration of telemedicine products and services with electronic health records (EHRs), primary reasons and timeline for investment, and top product attributes considered by organizations.

“As healthcare organizations continue down the path of meeting Meaningful Use criteria, collaboration and coordination of care is a subject that remains a top concern. One of the ways healthcare providers, whether large hospitals, rural healthcare settings, or physician practices, have been able to increase their care coverage and extend the continuity of care within the market, is to rely on telemedicine technologies,” explains the report.

Healthcare IT News reports the study found 46 percent of respondents deploy up to four telemedicine technologies within their organization. The most used of these technologies was two-way video/webcam (57.8 percent), and it was also most widely considered (67.1 percent) for those making a telemedicine investment.

“Organizations continue to strive toward a value-based rather than volume-based care model, and many telemedicine technologies can aid in that transition,” said HIMSS Analytics Research Director, Brendan FitzGerald in a news brief. “However, the study found that organizational needs will vary based upon provider type while the numerous technologies under the telemedicine umbrella will add to the complexity of the market.  Regardless of these challenges, organizations will continue to look for and utilize technology to fill gaps and enhance initiatives in patient care.”