Telemedicine: A Tool for Engaging Patients, Not a Treatment

An 85-year-old woman has several health issues, some of which require careful monitoring by physicians. She lives in a rural zip code, several hours’ drive from the nearest hospital. That makes it difficult to get the specialized regular attention she needs, which includes regularly checking her pacemaker.

This hypothetical woman is the perfect candidate for telehealth—a practice increasingly being embraced by medical practitioners who see its potential to help millions of Americans. Virtual patient engagement is a big part of that, as is the ability to monitor patients’ health in real time, assist in adjusting care on the spot and even providing real-time diagnoses. And that’s just for starters.