Telemedicine: what doctors need to consider during virtual consultations

What is telemedicine?

The term telemedicine refers to an innovative form of medical care. Healthcare services, diagnoses and treatments are carried out via digital communication media. Doctors can simply use their computer or smartphone for remote medical treatment without the patient having to be physically present. The spectrum of telemedicine includes video calls as well as simple text messages and emails. Several providers have specialized in providing telemedicine platforms designed to simplify communication.

How have telemedical treatments developed?

The emergence of remote medical treatment actually dates back to the 1960s. This is where the first milestones for today's telemedicine were set:

• The start of remote treatment: NASA laid the foundations for telemedicine in the 1960s: it developed various systems to check the health of its astronauts in space.
• Technological progress: In the 1970s, more and more companies specialized in the development of telemedicine systems. With the advent of the internet and digitalization in the 1990s, telemedicine technologies continued to develop. The use of email, video conferencing and digital image transmission became more common.
• COVID-19 pandemic: The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 led to a huge surge in the use of telemedicine. Lockdowns and social distancing increased the demand for virtual doctor visits and accelerated the integration of telemedicine into healthcare worldwide.
• Regulatory changes: Many laws and regulations have been adapted to facilitate the use of telemedicine. This includes the recognition of online consultations, reimbursement for telemedicine services and ensuring the security of patient data.

Advantages of remote medical treatment

Many doctors ask themselves whether they should offer telemedicine in their practice. The following points speak in favor of providing the service:

Improved accessibility

Rural areas in particular benefit from the improved accessibility and reachability of medical services. There is an acute shortage of doctors in rural areas of Germany, and patients also have mobility problems due to their age or chronic illnesses. Thanks to telemedicine, these patients can access a consultation with a doctor very quickly without having to travel long distances. But doctors can also use their resources more effectively and no longer have to make time-consuming home visits for certain issues, for example.

Reduction of waiting times

Long waiting times in doctors' surgeries and clinics are a frequent annoyance. Telemedicine enables more flexible appointment scheduling: as virtual consultations are less time-consuming than physical visits to the doctor, more appointments can be offered in a shorter period of time, resulting in shorter waiting times. This enables more efficient use of time for both patients and medical staff and contributes to faster diagnosis and treatment.

Cost savings

The use of telemedicine can lead to a considerable reduction in costs. Patients save on travel and parking costs. But the healthcare system also benefits, as remote treatment can reduce the workload at the doctor's surgery, for example. This means that already scarce staff can be used more effectively, which saves costs.

Which treatments is telemedicine suitable for?

• Check-ups: Telemedicine is particularly suitable for patients who want to undergo a routine check-up. This includes discussing laboratory results, providing medical advice or reviewing medication. Doctors can check medication plans, make adjustments and monitor patients' progress.
• Chronic disease management: Telemedicine is ideal for the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart failure. Patients with certain health conditions can be monitored from home, for example when monitoring blood sugar levels, blood pressure or heart rate. Doctors can analyze this data and intervene if necessary.
• Psychiatric care: Telepsychiatry also enables the remote treatment of mental health problems. Therapeutic sessions, counseling and medication management can easily be carried out via video conferencing.

When an on-site examination should be preferred

However, not all medical situations are suitable for telemedicine. Acute emergencies or cases that require a physical examination are still better suited to a conventional doctor's visit. Furthermore, complex or unclear medical conditions should also be examined on site, as extensive diagnostic tests are required in order to make an accurate diagnosis. A misdiagnosis via remote treatment could therefore lead to enormous health risks.

Ultimately, the treating physicians must be able to decide when they can use telemedicine sensibly and when treatment in the practice is necessary.

What do doctors need to consider when offering digital consultation hours?

Doctors who want to offer telemedicine in their practice should consider several aspects to ensure that virtual consultations are effective, ethical and safe:

• Data protection and security: Doctors must ensure that the platforms they use for digital consultations meet strict data protection standards. Patient data should be transmitted and stored securely. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) provides a guideline on the requirements for ensuring IT security.
• Licensure: Physicians should ensure that they have the necessary licenses and permits to offer telemedicine in their region. The legal requirements may vary depending on the country or federal state. As a rule, an electronic health professional card (eHBA) is required.
• Patient education: It is important to educate patients about the process, technology and limitations of digital consultations. Successful doctor-patient communication is all the more crucial for the success of treatment virtually.
• Documentation: Doctors should document digital consultations in the same way as physical visits. This includes diagnoses, treatment plans, prescribed medication and other relevant information. Comprehensive documentation is important for the continuity of patient care.
• Billing and reimbursement: Clarify in advance how digital consultations will be billed and which insurances will cover them. Clear communication with patients about the billing modalities is important.

The future of the healthcare system is digital

Overall, telemedical care outside the practice is to be made even easier in future. This year, the representative assembly of the KBV decided on key points and defined framework conditions. Corresponding regulations are now being negotiated with the health insurance funds and are to be anchored in the federal contract for physicians and the standardized valuation scale (EBM).

This development makes it clear that the healthcare system in Germany is on its way to becoming increasingly digital. This is where Nelly comes in: Whether digital patient admission, simple document management or convenient payment processing - Nelly can be used to create a digital daily practice routine. The practice saves resources, gains efficiency and benefits from modern communication channels. Sounds interesting? We will advise you on your individual case free of charge and without obligation!
Contact Nelly now!

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