Telehealth

Dr. Ryan M. Trowbridge, owner of Bridge Dermatology, explains how he has used one vendor's technology and model to build his solo tele-dermatology practice as a complement to his full-time, in-person role with another healthcare group.

Doctors at China Medical University Hospital have also spent less time making diagnoses using AI.

The 1,600-bed teaching hospital is also expanding telemedicine access and piloting hospital-at-home service, says digital health head Dr Ong Tek Aik.

Dr Tamara Sunbul, CIO of Fakeeh Care Group, emphasised certifications and training in telemedicine.

The government has made permanent pandemic-era flexibilities on virtual prescribing and monitoring substance use disorder medications. As a result, telemedicine MAT programs may soon be more common.

If the agency doesn't create a plan for remote-prescribed controlled substances by the fall, it could jeopardize mental healthcare by year's end, the American Telemedicine Association-led coalition says.

Physicians, nurses and patients have embraced the health system's smart rooms, which, along with virtual nursing, have helped slash nursing turnover at one hospital from 23% in July 2024 to 14% this month.

Success metrics from the South Carolina health system show telemedicine to be an opportunity for nurses to practice at the top of their license, improve work-life balance and stay in the profession longer.

Artificial intelligence gives Cedars-Sinai's clinicians EHR-supported diagnoses and treatment plan recommendations after patients complete virtual urgent care clinic intake questions in a structured chat.

Cheryl Dalton-Norman, RN, says this virtual care approach can boost access and increase patient satisfaction, while achieving economies of scale and alleviating physician burnout.