Blog - Latest News

The Basics of Telehealth

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for remote health services has increased. During quarantine, people were forced to stay home, some sick, some worried about getting sick. Everything had to go digital quickly. And people desperately needed healthcare. Thankfully, telehealth was the solution.

Telehealth

Telehealth is the use of technology to access remote healthcare. For example, laptops and mobile devices are the most common methods used during remote telehealth visits. Oftentimes, telehealth is referred to as eHealth or mHealth.

Benefits of Telehealth

Accessibility

More people can access telehealth services since most people have a mobile device or laptop. In most cases, people that live in rural areas can’t get to an in-person appointment. So, telehealth is the best solution for this problem.

Convenience

Some people have medical conditions that make traveling difficult. As a result, people that really need to see a doctor can’t get to an in-person appointment. However, telehealth offers a way for sick patients to still get the care they need right in the comfort of their home.

Communication

Telehealth allows for patients and their healthcare team to communicate easier. In addition, patients will have a more active role in their care.

Self-Management

Patients having more control over their care leads to more quality care. In addition, when patients have access to their records, it allows healthcare professionals to spend less time on trivial work.

Expansion

Patients will have more access to doctors with telehealth services. Since people won’t need to go in-person to see the doctor, the lack of local doctors will no longer be a problem.

Types of Telehealth

Virtual Visits

Virtual visits allow patients to talk to a doctor or a nurse online. For example, types of virtual visits include:

Online videoconferencing. This type of virtual visit offers patients ongoing care from nurses and doctors.
Web-based visits. These visits are used for minor illnesses. In most cases, patients log into a web-based server and answer questions to give their healthcare team more information. Then a doctor will prescribe a medication or treatment.
Nursing Call Center. Patients use this visit for asking nurses questions for care at home. Nurses can’t prescribe medications or diagnose illnesses.

Patient Portal

Patient portals allow patients to have easier access to their healthcare team. For instance, patients can use a patient portal to:

Talk to their healthcare team more easily.
Request and refill prescriptions.
See test results and after-visit summaries.
Schedule appointments and set up reminders.

Devices, Sensors, & Wearables

Devices, sensors, and wearables are convenient, more physical types of telehealth services. To specify, some examples are:

Wireless devices.
Wearable devices.
Biometric sensors.
Diagnostic products.

Remote Monitoring

Telehealth is traditional healthcare, but remote. To explain, remote monitoring includes:

Mobile apps or websites for tracking health information.
Devices to track health vitals like blood pressure.
Wearable devices that track health information like heart rate and sleep patterns.
Home monitoring devices used to detect changes like falls. This is mainly used by old people.

Healthcare Team Communication

Telehealth provides a way for doctors to easily interact with other doctors. For instance, primary care doctors can have virtual consultations with specialists to find a diagnosis faster. As a result, doctors get rid of the need for an in-person visit, traveling, and wait times.

Personal Health Records

During an emergency, telehealth allows responders to have instant access to your health information. To specify, your electronic personal health record, or PHR, includes:

Drug allergies.
Your doctor’s contact information.

Personal Health Apps

Personal health apps make it easier and more convenient for patients to keep track of their health information. For instance, some personal health apps allow patients to:

Record their vitals.
Store their personal health information.
Count and track their calories.
Set up reminders to take their medication.
Track physical activity like counting steps.

Trends in Telehealth

The investment trends for telehealth continue to go up and down over time. The trends for the investments for telehealth are stated by category below.

Virtual Visits

499 companies in the market.
From 2010 to 2020, investments grew by 18X.
Invested capital peaked in 2020 at $2.03 billion.

Remote Monitoring

277 companies in the market.
From 2010 to 2018, investments grew by 8X.
Invested capital peaked in 2020 at $691 million.

Wearable Devices

825 companies in the market.
From 2010 to 2017, investments grew by 15X.
Invested capital peaked in 2019 at $3.09 billion.

Personal Health Apps

Nutrition, Wellness and Fitness Tracking Apps
742 companies in the market.
From 2010 to 2016, investments grew by 15X.
Invested capital peaked in 2015 and in 2019 at $2.46 million.
Consumer Health Information Apps
417 companies in the market.
From 2010 to 2020, investments grew by 8X.
Invested capital peaked in 2018 at $289 million, declined in 2019, then rose again in 2020.
Medication Planning Apps
61 companies in the market.
From 2010 to 2017, investments grew by 20X.
Invested capital peaked in 2020 at $169 million and is likely to maintain.

Ultimately, the demand for telehealth continues to grow. From accessibility to expansion, patients are starting to reap the vast benefits telehealth has to offer. Also, the many types of telehealth like the patient portal and virtual visits allow for an easier, more convenient approach to healthcare. Overall, telehealth is most likely here to stay. And although telehealth is great, it should continue to aid in-person healthcare rather than replace it.

Recent Posts

5 Signs of Work Burnout You Should Be Aware Of

Statistics show employee and work burnout are on the rise. A recent survey found 52% of employees felt burned out, and that number is up from previous surveys. It’s a serious problem as burnout can lead to or worsen other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety and even lead to physical health problems. How do you know if you’re headed for burnout or employees in your office are experiencing burnout symptoms? Here are some signs of work burnout that should raise red flags. An Increase in Negativity A key sign of work burnout is negativity and feelings of frustration, dissatisfaction, and even anger. You dread going to work every day. When you think about what lies ahead for the day — answering emails, making sales calls, or brainstorming product ideas — you feel nothing but dread, anxiety, and even anger about having to do it all again tomorrow. Work Performance is Declining Declining performance and productivity at work is a cardinal sign of work burnout. When you’re burned out, you lack the motivation and enthusiasm you once had, and it shows up as reduced performance at work. You might feel bored and have trouble starting or completing projects. Burnout can show up as procrastination, too. You put off doing work-related activities because your motivation is dwindling. The more you put off projects, the more you doubt your ability to do them, and self-doubt sets in. It can turn into a vicious cycle of procrastination, frustration, and self-doubt that’s hard to break. Feelings That What You Do is Meaningless Work burnout can cause you to feel your job is meaningless. You may begin to feel disconnected from co-workers and the organization itself. You no longer want to participate in meetings, and you might isolate yourself from other employees at your business. Health Issues You may feel emotionally drained, anxious, or angry all the time if you’re experiencing burnout. Your relationships with friends and family might suffer because you don’t have the energy to nurture them anymore. But burnout can also lead to physical health issues such as high blood pressure. You might experience problems sleeping at night, feel fatigued, and start catching more colds. Stress and burnout can elevate the stress hormone cortisol, which can trigger or worsen all these symptoms. No job is worth sacrificing your health, so it’s important to take these signs seriously. Problems at Home Burnout can also affect your life at home. When you’re preoccupied with your job and experiencing negativity, you react differently to family members and friends. Sometimes family members are the first to notice that you’re experiencing burnout signs and symptoms. They may notice you’re more remote, angry, sad, or have emotional outbursts you didn’t have before. Regaining Control: Treating Work Burnout Burnout is different from depression and anxiety, but it has a similar effect on your life. It’s a feeling of emotional exhaustion, a total loss of interest in work and home life, and a sense of detachment from others. Treatment for burnout often involves taking time off from work to recover. Many people can return to their positions once their symptoms have subsided, and they’ve had a chance to rest. Treating mild burnout and preventing future burnout could include more time spent on self-care. If you’re experiencing burnout, take a closer look at your life. Are you taking on too much at work and at home? If you’re working a job and going to school simultaneously, you’re under more pressure than someone who only works a job. What other commitments are you dealing with in your life? It may be time to scale back on some of those obligations if you can. Then take a closer look at what’s happening at work. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your boss and be honest. Tell your boss how burnout is affecting your productivity — both the quantity and quality of your work. Be specific about which tasks are giving you trouble, how much time it’s taking you to complete them, and any mistakes you’ve been making. Letting your boss know how burnout affects you will help them understand why you’re struggling and whether they can do anything to help. Your boss may recommend a short break from work. Then let your family know about your struggles, so it’s out in the open. You should never struggle through burnout alone, and being honest about your struggles will help you get the help you need. If your job causes stress that can’t be fixed, it might be time to consider a new job or career. References: “16 Employee Burnout Statistics You Can’t Ignore.” 04 May. 2021, everyonesocial.com/blog/employee-burnout-statistics/. Jeung DY, Kim C, Chang SJ. Emotional Labor and Burnout: A Review of the Literature. Yonsei Med J. 2018 Mar;59(2):187-193. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.2.187. PMID: 29436185; PMCID: PMC5823819. Maslach C, Leiter MP. Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry. 2016 Jun;15(2):103-11. doi: 10.1002/wps.20311. PMID: 27265691; PMCID: PMC4911781. “Job burnout: How to spot it and take action – Mayo Clinic.” 05 Jun. 2021, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642. Haffizulla FS, Newman C, Kaushal S, Williams CA, Haffizulla A, Hardigan P, Templeton K. Assessment of Burnout: A Pilot Study of International Women Physicians. Perm J. 2020 Sep; 24:1-5. doi: 10.7812/TPP/20.028. PMID: 33482938; PMCID: PMC7849283.
Read More
4 Ways to Enhance Your Mental Health

Good mental health is so important to living a healthy, well-balanced life. You need to care for your mental health just like you need to take care of your physical health. If you neglect your mental health, that can lead to poor physical health and negativity stagnating your life. This article discusses four things that you can begin implementing in your life today to enhance your mental health. Just remember to seek professional help if you experience severe issues with your mental health. According to Erica Roth and Dr. Timothy J. Legg in Healthline.com, “Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and shouldn’t be neglected. Including mental dexterity exercises into your daily routine can help you reap the benefits of a sharper mind and a healthier body for years to come.” Some of those mental exercises include practicing mindfulness and meditation. 1. Practice Mindfulness Daily Mindfulness is a great tool for improving your mental health. It can help you to reset your mindset and embrace the moment. Practicing positive self-talk daily can help you to become more productive in your personal and professional life. It’s important to quiet your mind and meditate at least once a day. Calm your racing thoughts and use mindfulness apps such as Smiling Mind, Insight Timer, and My Life Meditation. 2. Find Your Passion and Live It Try to do things that you enjoy and are passionate about. It’s great if you can work at a job that you are passionate about. However, that may not always be a possibility. If you can’t work at a job that you love, take time each week to do things that bring you happiness. Pursuing your passions can give you a reason to keep going each day. Finding joy in life can help enhance your mindset and mental health. 3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone Change up your routine. Do new things and try to meet new people. This can open up your perspective to experience unfamiliar things. Don’t fear the unknown as you step outside your comfort zone. Embrace these experiences as learning moments. Every time you learn something new, that activates your mind. Activating your mind with positive things can help you stay more productive each day. 4. Find a Stress Outlet to Destress A vital part of maintaining positive mental health is to find a way to relieve your stress each day. Talk to someone in your inner circle of family and friends. You may want to work with an accountability partner to hold you accountable in your journey toward positive mental health. You could work with some of your friends who want to embark on a similar journey of maintaining positive mental health. Consider going with a friend to an Anger or Rage Room to break things so you can relieve stress. Spend time in nature and go for a walk or take a hike. Listen to calming music. Find whatever works for you and continue in that behavior. 5. Improve Your Mental Health Taking care of your mental health can make a positive impact on your health and wellness. Actress Glenn Close said, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” Embrace the process of cultivating positive mental health. Start by practicing mindfulness each day. Take an introspective look and find your passion, and then pursue it. Step outside your comfort zone by doing something new. Find a way to relieve your stress level in a healthy manner. You can make a difference in your life when you value your mental health. Source: healthline.com/health/depression/mental-fitness#:~:text=The%20Importance%20of%20Mental%20Fitness%201%20Mind-body%20connection.,it%E2%80%99s%20a%20good%20analogy.%204%20The%20takeaway.%20 oceanrecoverycentre.com/2018/12/mental-health-quotes/
Read More
How to Deal with Depression During the Pandemic

Covid-19 took the world by surprise, unexpectedly wreaking havoc on the lives of just about everyone. Now masks must be worn in all public places, social distancing must be practiced constantly, and many formerly in-person activities have switched to virtual. If you are having a difficult time dealing with the pandemic and its restrictions as well as the probability of contracting Covid-19, then you aren’t alone. Statistics show that cases of depression and anxiety have tripled since the onset of the pandemic. There has also been an increase in alcoholism and drug use, including drug overdoses leading to deaths, since the pandemic begun. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to manage your thoughts and feelings, and hopefully reverse your depression in the process. Here are some strategies that might work for you: Write down your feelings It may seem time-consuming and boring, but regularly writing down your feelings in a journal can dramatically decrease depression, and even anxiety. Sometimes, people feel they have no one to discuss their problems with. In many cases, keeping your feelings bottled up inside only perpetuates depression and anxiety, making you feel worse. Journaling about your thoughts and feelings provides you with a way to unbottle those toxic thoughts and feelings, which can encourage healing. Even if no one reads the journal entries, journaling is still a great way to stop your emotions from making you ill. You can choose to purchase an attractive journal to write in, but there are also many free and paid journaling apps available, if you prefer. Consider seeking professional help There should be no shame in seeking professional help if you feel your depression is getting the best of you. In fact, you should be proud of yourself for being brave enough to admit that you need professional help. A therapist or psychologist can help you work through your feelings by teaching you a healthier way of managing your life. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, as well as whether your depression is responding to therapy alone, you might consider medication. Medication doesn’t have to be taken long-term, as you may only need it until the pandemic is over. If you’re not sure whether you could benefit from medication, your therapist can help you decide. If your therapist believes medication might be beneficial, he or she can refer you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe you the most effective medication. Begin a new exercise program You don’t have to be on a weight reduction program in order to exercise. Exercise promotes health in everyone, regardless of size. Not only does exercise promote physical health, but it promotes mental health as well. Exercise can ease depression and anxiety by inducing endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are feel-good hormones that are produced, and they can work wonders at reversing depression. Of course, before beginning any new exercise regimen, you should seek the advice of your doctor. Your doctor can advise you of any restrictions you should take so your exercise program can be as trouble-free as possible. Learn a new hobby It’s likely that you have had significantly more free time since the pandemic started, since there are fewer places to go. Too much free time isn’t always good for individuals suffering from depression or other mental health issues. Focusing on learning a new hobby can work wonders for combating depression. Not only can learning a new hobby help you pass the time when you’re bored and possibly feeling despondent, but a new hobby can promote relaxation, increase self-esteem and much more. If you’re not sure what hobby to focus on, why not conduct some research? You could also search online for some ideas. Some popular choices of new hobbies to try are cooking, baking, puzzles, latch hook, gardening, and much more. You might be surprised at how much you might enjoy a new hobby, and how therapeutic it can be. If one hobby doesn’t fit, then try some others. The sky is the limit as to what you can choose. Keep a gratitude journal Even if you decide to write down your feelings in a regular journal, a gratitude journal can add additional benefit. A gratitude journal is simply a book (or app, if you prefer to journal electronically) that encourages you to focus on the things that you’re grateful for. Keeping a gratitude journal is a simple but powerful exercise that can be done in as little as five minutes a day. These things that you write about being grateful for can be small, like a beautiful sunset or a nature walk. Acknowledging the things in life that you’re grateful for can help you keep a written record that you can refer to whenever you’re experiencing anxiety and depression. This type of journal can help you see that there are, in fact, positive things in your life. This realization can encourage you to seek even more positivity and keep you from dwelling on the negative aspects of your life. You can improve your outlook on life by keeping a gratitude journal, dramatically improving your depression in the process. There will always be events in life that can potentially lead to depression. However, if you take a proactive approach by implementing these tips as soon as you notice symptoms, you can nip the depression in the bud before it reaches unbearable proportions. By tackling depressing as soon it surfaces, you increase your chances of successfully defeating it and reclaiming your life.
Read More
8 Ways Telehealth Coaching Can Drive Your Employees’ Welfare

Chronic conditions are one of the key reasons for missed work and drops in productivity levels. About60% of American adults (1)suffer from chronic diseases, while 40% have more than two chronic conditions. While your employees are struggling to control these issues with apps and regular doctors’ visits, they are still losing precious work time. By taking advantage of virtual care, you can improve your staff’s welfare while cutting costs and maintaining high employee satisfaction levels. 1. Implementing Behavioral Changes A big number of chronic diseases appears due to poor behavioral choices, including: Smoking and second-hand smoking Poor nutrition Lack of physical activity Alcohol use Lack of sleep Improving an employee’s health and productivity levels is often as easy as adjusting behavioral patterns. Physicians usually don’t have sufficient time and resources to work on patients’ behavior, which requires regular consultations and supervision. Telehealth coaching can solve this issue by helping employees implement behavior changes at home. Such an approach doesn’t just fight chronic diseases efficiently, it allows both employees and employers to save time and money. Getting rid of poor habits improves productivity and contributes to a healthy workplace environment. 2. Boosting Employee Satisfaction Top-notch benefits are one of the key reasons whyemployees choose to stay with their current employer (2). By exploring telehealth opportunities, you are giving your staff a highly demanded healthcare option. Virtual care is gaining popularity. It gives patients access to remote specialists regardless of their location. When it comes to chronic condition management, remote assistance is especially important. By giving your staff an opportunity to access telehealth coaches, you are raising employee satisfaction levels. This, in turn, keeps retention rates high. Many growing companies struggle to keep top-notch employees due to the competition from higher-paying businesses. By offering telehealth coaching, your company can stand out from the crowd for its meaningful benefits program. 3. Increasing Performance Levels Chronic diseases account for three-quarters of doctors’ visits. Telehealth coaching allows you to foster a healthier and more engaged workforce. Telehealth gives employees access to the necessary assistance immediately, even when at work. This improves performance levels, reduces anxiety associated with doctors’ visits, and eliminates sick days due to appointments. Research shows (3)that health coaching has long-lasting effects on patients with chronic conditions. Patients who received coaching assistance for 12 months enjoyed the results for up to a year after it was over. 4. Preventing Future Expenses Chronic conditions require regular medical attention. Without proper assistance, they are likely to worsen over time. About 70% of healthcare expenses come from such preventable lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes. With the assistance of a CDCE (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist), it’s possible tokeep diabetes in check. This can prevent future healthcare expenses for your company and employees. When you consider all healthcare expenses related to undertreated or mistreated chronic conditions, the numbers add up. Proper telehealth coaching and prevention options can help you keep the costs down significantly. 5. Maintaining Control When it comes to chronic conditions, regular doctors’ visits can achieve only a fraction of the care needed by patients. One of the key components of chronic disease prevention and maintenance is regular control. From measuring blood sugar levels to setting up exercise schedules, only a small number of patients are motivated enough to follow through. Telehealth coaches help your employees take control of their chronic issues by staying in touch. One of the key benefits of implementing telemedicine is giving patients direct access to medical professionals and vice versa. By consulting employees regularly, coaches help them stay on the right track. 6. Creating a Healthy Workplace Environment The health of your workplace environment heavily depends on the psychology of your employees. People with chronic conditions may maintain high productivity levels but lose their positive attitude in the process. Telehealth coaching doesn’t just help patients adjust their lifestyle. Coaches work on a positive attitude. They help patients take advantage of their strengths to battle their condition. Such an approach allows people to believe in their abilities and enhances the overall workplace environment. A healthy workplace environment doesn’t just improve retention rates, it attracts top-notch talent and sets you apart from the competition. 7. Improving Mental Health When dealing with chronic conditions,emotional problems are often overlooked (4). Meanwhile, they have a serious effect on employees’ productivity. Discovering emotional issues in timely manner can help prevent further medical expenses, sick leaves, and problems with the workplace environment. The stigma of admitting to a mental problem used to keep many patients from getting professional help. Telehealth revolutionized psychological assistance. Telemedicine is a cost-efficient, private, and extremely convenient way to address psychological issues for patients with chronic conditions. Additionally, remote consultations can reduce employee burnout and catch depression or anxiety in the early stages. 8. Reducing Hospital Admissions Chronic disease sufferers account for81% of hospital admissions (5). This increases the number of sick leaves and reduces productivity substantially. Frequent absences of employees with chronic diseases affect the workplace environment and put additional strain on their co-workers. When telehealth coaches monitor the patient’s condition remotely, they can catch new issues on time and prevent hospital re-admissions. Many people don’t pay attention to minor changes in their condition. By establishing a convenient line of communication with patients, coaches get an opportunity to monitor these changes and deal with new symptoms before they turn into serious problems. Conclusion: Improving Healthcare ROI with Virtual Care Options Investing in a high-quality health benefits program has a high ROI (Return On Investment). By adding telehealth coaching to your benefits package, you aren’t just increasing employee satisfaction and retention rates, you are cutting costs and boosting productivity. Since the majority of your workforce is likely to suffer from one or more chronic conditions, telehealth coaching isn’t just a nice perk for employees. It’s a necessity.Sources: cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/health-benefits-foster-retention.aspx healthitanalytics.com/news/using-health-coaching-to-improve-chronic-disease-management ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1070773/ fightchronicdisease.org/sites/default/files/docs/GrowingCrisisofChronicDiseaseintheUSfactsheet_81009.pdf
Read More
The Basics of Online Companion/Caregiver Support

In general, online companion/caregiver support offers both companionship to elderly patients and support for their caregivers. In fact, both services are only non-medical. On one hand, online companion services offer mental stimulation and companionship. Through mobile apps, elderly people can access animated characters that they can have conversations with, receive reminders to take medication, see pictures uploaded by their family, etc. On the other hand, caregiver support offers a way for caregivers to relieve stress and share their story. In most cases, this service is offered as an online support group. In fact, there are online support groups for different communities like LGBTQ, Spanish-speakers, and young adult caregivers. Traditional Companion/Caregiver Support vs Online Companion/Caregiver Support On one hand, patients must obtain traditional companion/caregiver support in-person. Usually, the person comes to the patient’s home and provides services. On the other hand, online companion/caregiver support only requires the patient to open an app, talk to a provider, or join a group. Then the patient can receive the online companion or caregiver support that they need. Companion Care vs Personal Care While companion care and personal care are quite similar, there are a few differences. In fact, each type of care offers different services, with only a some overlapping. For example, companion care offers these services to the elderly: Companionship/socialization Laundry Meal planning/preparation Feeding Transportation Shopping/errands Reminders about medication Mobility assistance Contrarily, personal care offers services like: Feeding Dressing Bathing/showering Using the restroom Incontinence care Oral hygiene However, with online companion care, elderly patients mainly have access to companionship/socialization, medication reminders, meal planning/ preparation, etc. Pros of Online Companion/Caregiver Support Accessibility Online companion/caregiver support offers more access to people that need these services. For example, there are many patients who live in rural areas. Or they may have medical conditions that make travelling difficult. However, these online services give them a way to still get the care they need. Plus, online care means less in-person visits, which means patients who really need face-to-face interaction with a provider have more access to these types of visits. Time Online companion/caregiver support is beneficial to both patients and employers. With online caregiver support, workers spend less time away from the office. Cost Online companion/caregiver support visits cost far less than traditional visits. In fact, less travel time, in-person visits, and staff are the reasons for the reduced costs. Quality Through convenient services, online companion/caregiver support means that more people will be able to get the care they need. Plus, research shows that these types of online services offer the same quality care as traditional visits. Communication In most cases, studies show that patients prefer modern methods of communication. To be clear, most people prefer virtual communication over face-to-face communication. In addition, they care more about access to care than in-person interactions. Cons of Online Companion/Caregiver Support Comfortability There are a couple scenarios where patients may not feel comfortable using online companion/caregiver support. For example, elderly patients may not be as adaptable to new technology. So, it may take them a while to get used to it if they are able. In addition, some people are more private than others. They may not feel comfortable sharing their stories online with strangers within a caregiver support group. As a result, making these services available online can deter patients rather than draw them in. Ultimately, online companion/caregiver support is beneficial to both the elderly and caregivers. Further, it is growing in popularity due to its many benefits like accessibility, time, cost, quality, and communication. However, lack of comfortability is its drawback. Still, online companion/caregiver support is a great tool for people that need this type of care.
Read More

The Basics of Telehealth

Telehealth

Benefits of Telehealth

Types of Telehealth

Trends in Telehealth

Contact Info

Quick Links

Resources