Current use of telehealth in urology: a review
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TOPIC PAPER
Current use of telehealth in urology: a review Peris Castaneda1 · Chad Ellimoottil2 Received: 14 April 2019 / Accepted: 19 July 2019 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract Purpose Applications of telehealth have been growing in popularity. However, there is little information on how telehealth is being used in Urology. In this review, we examine current applications of telehealth in urological practices as well as barriers to implementation. Methods A review was conducted of original research within the past 10 years describing telehealth applications in urology. Articles on telehealth as applied to other specialties were reviewed for discussion on real or perceived barriers to implementation. Results Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria. The most common application of telehealth was using a video visit to assess or follow-up with patients. The second most commonly described applications of telehealth were telementorship, or the use of telehealth technology to help train providers, and telemedicine used in diagnostics. Studies consistently stated the effectiveness of the telehealth applications and the high level of patient and provider satisfaction. Conclusions Telehealth is sparingly used in urology. Barriers to implementation include technological literacy, reimbursement uncertainties, and resistance to change in workflow. When used, telehealth technologies are shown to be safe, effective, and satisfactory for patients and providers. Further investigation is necessary to determine the efficacy of telehealth applications. Keywords Telemedicine · Telehealth · Patient-centered care · Health communication
History The history of telehealth, or telemedicine, dates back to the late nineteenth century, when an article in The Lancet described using the telephone to reduce unnecessary patient visits [1]. By the 1950s, teleradiology and video communication for medical uses had developed [2]. The concept of telemedicine is hardly novel; however, its applications have grown substantially in recent decades. The rapid development of accessible electronic technology has enabled more patients and providers to participate in telemedicine programs. Telehealth services are now used by hospitals, specialty clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and various types of * Peris Castaneda [email protected] 1
University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Bldg 16, 1st Floor, Room 152S, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
2
providers. Patients, as well as providers, are recognizing telehealth as a legitimate—at times preferred—means of conducting healthcare [3, 4]. As of 2012, millions of Americans were using telehealth services and roughly 40% of hospitals in the United States had adopted telehealth in some capacity [5]. Importantly, insurance providers are increasingly recognizing telehealth services. Forty-eight states provide some form of Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth
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