What is telemedicine?
What is a telemedicine consultation?
What are “live, real-time” consultations and “store and forward” consultations?
Why would a patient choose to have a telemedicine consultation?
Why would a primary care provider recommend a telemedicine consultation?
What is the goal of MedStream’s Telemedicine Specialty Clinics?
How does a MedStream telemedicine consultation compare with an “in person” visit?

What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine - medicine over distance
Telemedicine allows healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients at a distance – in other locations. Videoconferencing or other multimedia platforms are blended with medical diagnostic equipment and healthcare services to provide patients with “live, real-time” or “store and forward” telemedicine consultations.

Through tremendous improvements in the transfer of audio, video, and other various forms of data, connected medical devices, and analytical and archiving software, specialists are able to “travel” to remote, rural, and/or underserved populations to provide much needed healthcare.

What is a telemedicine consultation? top
A telemedicine consultation is a medical consultation between a patient in one location and a medical specialist in another location. It is facilitated by telemedicine technology and may be delivered through a “live, real-time” format or a “store and forward” format. Participating in a telemedicine consultation may provide a patient with access to more immediate specialty medical care and save time and travel. A telemedicine consultation is an important healthcare solution for overcoming the shortage of specialists in many communities.

What are “live, real-time” consultations and
“store and forward” consultations? top
During “live, real-time” consultations, the consulting specialist examines and interacts with a patient while diagnostic information is collected and transmitted. The patient and primary care provider see and interact “live” with the consulting specialist over a television or computer monitor integrated with a telemedicine system.

During a “store and forward” consultation, the consulting provider and patient are not both present simultaneously; it is not a “live and interactive” consultation. Patient data is collected to be reviewed at a later time by the consulting specialist, who reports to the patient’s primary care provider.

Why would a patient choose to have a telemedicine consultation? top
There are several reasons a patient might choose to have a telemedicine consultation. Often, a patient decides to have a telemedicine consultation because it is recommended by his/her primary care provider when there isn’t access to a specialist in the local vicinity.

Since it precludes traveling to a distant medical facility, a telemedicine consultation may help a patient avoid delaying or foregoing specialty medical care. A patient may choose a telemedicine consultation because it reduces work or school absence, transportation expenses, and the risk of serious medical complications or prolonged illness.

A telemedicine consultation is convenient and takes place in the comfort of the local healthcare setting. It is especially beneficial for the disabled, frail or elderly.

Why would a primary care provider recommend a
telemedicine consultation? top
Primary care providers recognize the serious shortage of specialists and the hardships imposed on patients who must travel considerable distance when a specialist consultation is recommended. They appreciate the many health and economic benefits of timely medical care and keeping patients close to home. Local providers are especially sensitive to the added comfort and convenience telemedicine consultations offer disabled, frail, or elderly patients.

In addition, primary care providers also acknowledge the added benefits of both consulting directly with the specialist during the telemedicine consultation and helping a patient present what may be a complex medical history.

The telemedicine consultation is designed to respect the primary care provider’s role as the attending provider of record, who is ultimately responsible for making treatment decisions with the patient. A telemedicine consultation enhances the primary care provider’s ability to incorporate specialty follow-up care with the patient’s overall treatment plan.

What is the goal of MedStream’s Telemedicine Specialty Clinics? top
The goal of MedStream’s Telemedicine Specialty Clinics is to make specialty medical expertise more readily available to patients and providers. Telemedicine networks have the ability to significantly improve the accessibility, quality, and overall affordability of healthcare. MedStream was founded in 1995 by three physicians who understood the scarcity of specialty medical services and the tremendous potential of telemedicine.

How does a MedStream telemedicine consultation compare with an “in person” visit? top
A MedStream telemedicine consultation is very similar to an “in person” visit. The patient completes a patient referral packet, and the primary care provider completes a referral form. These are forwarded along with other essential medical records and reports to the MedStream specialist for review prior to the patient’s appointment.

The “live, real-time” telemedicine consultation is very similar to an “in person” visit. Using the integrated medical peripherals, the specialist performs a complete or nearly complete physical exam. If assistance is needed in presenting a medical history, using the equipment, or completing the exam, a primary care provider is available at the patient site to help the patient.

As opposed to an “in person” visit, a telemedicine consultation with a specialist usually includes the presence and participation of a primary care provider. This is often reassuring for the patient and can be very helpful to the specialist in evaluating, diagnosing, and making treatment recommendations for patients. Primary care providers often perceive it as an educational experience, especially in an era when medical therapies are rapidly changing and advancing.