Telemedicine
Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Telemedicine includes a growing variety of applications and services using two-way video, email, smartphones, wireless tools, apps and other forms of telecommunications technology. The use of telemedicine is becoming integrated into the ongoing operations of hospitals, specialty departments, home health agencies, and private physician offices, as well as consumers’ homes and workplaces. All 77 counties in Oklahoma have telehealth. There are more than 400 facilities in Oklahoma that send and/or receive telehealth services. Telemedicine is not a separate medical specialty, but is a tool for providing health care.
Virtual visits direct to consumer are also now being offered by Oklahoma hospitals. A virtual visit is an internet-based episode of physician-patient interaction. Virtual visits can provide health services online and help in the management of chronic diseases, including diabetes, asthma, hypertension, heart failure, HIV, and high-risk pregnancies.
Oklahoma Telehealth Utilization Survey Results 2017 (10/11/17)