Telehealth has become one of many buzzwords largely used since the Spring of 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. While it wasn’t a new technology in the world of healthcare and medicine prior to the pandemic, it definitely grew in use and popularity when suddenly the world went into lockdown and face-to-face encounters were discouraged except when needed for emergency reasons. With many services no longer available and people working from home, the need for telehealth skyrocketed with professionals across many different medical professions now relying on this technology in order to meet with their patients and maintain their existing health routines. Telehealth refers to the broader scope of the medical practice that is not focused on the administration of medicine.

This means professions such as psychiatry, weight loss management, ongoing monitoring of chronic conditions and a whole range of other non-clinical services that can be performed remotely. Telehealth appointments are hosted over a secure internet connection, through an internet connected device with a microphone and camera. This can be a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone, so long as it has an internet connection and is able to connect to the secure site provided by the clinic or health service provider.

There are many benefits to telehealth, which were being tested and realized prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. While they were being used before, the use of them and services offered through a remote telehealth provider have grown exponentially. When everyone was put into lockdown, many health care providers were also forced to work remotely and find a new way of reaching out to their patient base to continue offering their valuable services. Many adapted by adding, or increasing their use of, telehealth offerings to their patients for treatment. As the pandemic continues on, and even when Covid cases are low, many providers continue to offer telehealth services to their patients due to the many benefits they provide. Not only does it limit the need for face-to-face interactions, which in term limits the spread of germs and illness, it still provides patients with the necessary care they need.

Performed over a secure website, with the use of microphones and cameras built into internet enabled devices, doctors are still able to see their patients and read the necessary body language and facial expressions to get the non-verbal indicators of how people are doing. Typically taken from the comfort of their home, patients can fit their appointments more easily into their day, without having to worry about travel time, time away from work, and childcare in order to make it to their appointment.

Telehealth and telemedicine are used interchangeably with the surge in use of both services due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however they do refer to different services. Telehealth and telemedicine services were available before the start of 2020, but were not used as frequently or to the same extent that they have been put to use since the pandemic hit. In both cases, they are referring to a form of care that is performed through a virtual platform. While appointments can be done over the phone, the advancements in technology and accessibility of an internet-enabled device with a camera and microphone has made it possible to hold these appointments virtually through a video-conferencing web-based program.

The difference between telemedicine and telehealth is in the application of the care or services provided to their patients at a distance. Telemedicine refers to using a telecommunications infrastructure for a doctor practicing medicine to provide their patient with the necessary medical care over a secure network while they are in different locations. Telehealth on the other hand refers to the broader scope of using available electronic technologies in order to provide an outlet in which services and care under the umbrella of health and well-being can be provided without the need for in-person appointments.

OmniLife Wellness provides a wide range of care and services to our patients, through whatever means makes them the most comfortable. As the pandemic continues on, many people may not feel ready for face-to-face interactions yet, and so we are happy to continue to offer our services through a telehealth program for those who are interested. Many of our early consultation appointments are very well suited to the telehealth platform, as are a lot of ongoing care appointments.

If we need you to come into the clinic for anything specific, we can provide you with the full details of what we need to do so that you can feel comfortable knowing that we are only having you come in when absolutely necessary. To learn more about OmniLife Wellness or to book a consultation, whether in-person or through our telehealth service, reach out to us today.