swyMed Now Available in Apple App Store
Apple fans, rejoice! The swyMed app has returned to the Apple App Store, and it’s better than ever before!
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Beyond the ER: Expanding Telemedicine in Hospitals
At Cleveland Clinic, recovering stroke and epilepsy patients can use the TV in the room to watch a movie—or see their physicians for a follow-up visit via video conferencing. Last July, the facility opened a neurology step-down unit that had been newly-equipped with telemedicine capabilities. The director of Cleveland Clinic’s cerebrovascular center, Muhammad Shazam Hussain, MD, was interviewed recently about introducing telemedicine in hospitals, outside of emergency rooms. Read more
Top Tips to Avoid Legal Issues in Telemedicine
Nearly 70 percent of physicians are willing to use telemedicine, according to a recent survey, but what the survey didn’t measure is what percentage are concerned about legal issues in telemedicine. Considering the broad variance in telemedicine regulations across the nation, the concern is certainly a valid one. Here are some areas in which newly-minted telemedicine physicians should tread carefully to avoid running afoul of the law. Read more
Survey Finds Doctors Ready for Telemedicine Adoption Boom
A new survey by M3 Global Research and American Well has revealed that more physicians are using telemedicine now (22 percent) than in 2015 (5 percent), and the trend is expected to continue upwards; over half of US doctors expect to use the technology by 2022. The polled physicians cited a number of reasons for their readiness for telemedicine adoption, although some uncertainties remain. Read more
The Rise of Telemedicine Doctors
If telemedicine could be considered a specialty, then telemedicine doctors are on the rise. The newest generation of young doctors, fresh from medical school and having grown up wired to the Internet, are embracing the flexibility of working from home while treating patients remotely rather than trekking into a clinic each day. By teaming up with telemedicine companies that offer direct-to-consumer services, these docs are connecting with patients through real-time video conferencing apps on laptops and smartphones. The result? Satisfied patients receiving good quality care and satisfied doctors enjoying a good quality of life. Read more
The Impact of Telepharmacy on Controlled Substances, Patients and Prescribers
As telemedicine becomes more commonplace, telepharmacy grows more popular as well, especially for patients in remote rural areas who lack easy access to physicians and pharmacists. When it comes to controlled substances, though, the practice of prescribing medication through telemedicine becomes tricky; should in-person office visits between patients and providers be required? Read more
PRESS RELEASE: swyMed Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board
Physicians with outstanding leadership and clinical experience introduced as members
Lexington, Mass. – January 31, 2017 – swyMed, a provider of exceptional-quality video telemedicine solutions, today announced the creation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) with four key appointments: Lester Wold, M.D.; James McCarthy, M.D.; Ronald Merrell, M.D.; and Noah Rosen, M.D. The Scientific Advisory Board will advise swyMed on the highest value applications for swyMed’s truly mobile telemedicine solutions, and how innovative healthcare providers can further use the technology to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. Read more
Who Wants to Be a Telemed Doctor?
Patients in rural areas and with limited transportation may welcome telemedicine, but what about the doctors?
It appears that physicians everywhere are also embracing this technology. A recent nationwide poll, conducted by QuantiaMD and American Well, reveals that 57 percent of primary care physicians are interested and willing to conduct telemedicine visits with their patients (1).
To better understand this response, let’s examine the context. As revealed by the survey, doctors are spending increasing time on non-reimbursable phone and email communications with patients. The average family doctor devotes nearly 4 hours per week on phone calls and emails, and each phone call alone costs roughly $20 of the physician’s time.
In this situation, it makes sense to replace non-reimbursable activities with billable telemedicine hours. Read more
Telemedicine in Schools Makes It Harder to Play Hooky
With the rapid growth of telemedicine, missing school to see the doctor may soon be unheard of.
Thanks to a grant, Burke County Public Schools will implement Health-e-Schools program this fall. This initiative, offered by North Carolina’s Center for Rural Health Innovation, is being funded by a $701,207 grant from the Duke Endowment Grant Project.
The grant was earmarked for rural areas with less access to healthcare than urban regions. By introducing telemedicine in schools, the program will make it easier and faster for students to receive care. The goal of the initiative is to extend the reach of primary care physicians, rather than replace them. Read more
