With the rise in digital tools for all professions worldwide, telehealth, also known as telemedicine, e-medicine, or even e-doctor, has emerged as a credible, approachable, and simple way for patients and doctors to connect.
Because of this, more and more healthcare professionals are looking to enroll in a telehealth certification institute, especially since the prediction of the American Hospital Association states that digital health will account for 35% of home health visits and 24% of outpatient visits. Plus, over 78% of hospitals have already installed a telehealth solution.
This shows that telehealth certification comes useful – and sometimes even necessary – not only in an online setting of numerous digital platforms offering medical services but also in hospitals, clinics, and other health organizations. As a healthcare provider yourself, you should consider gaining this certificate to level up your practice.
Medica Depot helps you explore the topic of telehealth certificates, helping your business unlock new professional opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Over 78% of hospitals across the U.S. have already implemented inpatient telehealth services.
- Telehealth services are proving to bring fewer costs, more comfort and a chance for anonymity in sensitive medical situations.
- In order to provide telehealth services, you will need a telehealth certificate from a reputable telehealth certification institute.
Is Telehealth For You?
With telehealth slowly becoming a norm, healthcare providers from different medical fields can now diagnose and treat their patients with the help of digital tools – and without needing to meet in person.
Telehealth is practical for both sides. With fewer costs, more comfort, and even a possibility for anonymity, more patients turn to doctors for professional help than if they had to make an offline appointment. This proves especially important in patients with mobility issues, as well as topics considering mental and sexual health – topics that are unfortunately still thought taboo.
And, as mentioned in a 2021 study conducted by a team of Indian researchers, Telemedicine solutions will significantly assist doctors. However, when combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI), it can become even more effective. It can simplify basic tasks by reducing doctor workloads and increasing job satisfaction.
So, if you’re still wondering why use telehealth? let us guide you through its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Telehealth
- Easy sharing of medical information between a patient and a doctor
- Simple communication between a doctor and a patient via live or pre-recorded videos, voice or text messages
- Treatment planning and reminders
- Patient monitoring, used commonly for senior patient care
Cons of Telehealth
- Not all insurance companies cover telehealth services
- Not all services can be available remotely
- Data security may still cause a concern
If you find the above in line with your business needs, read on to understand how to get telehealth certified – because that’s what you’ll need to do before you begin offering telehealth services.
About Telehealth Certification
When talking about telehealth certification, it’s important to distinguish it from telehealth accreditation. Accreditation is used for healthcare organization validation, while telehealth certification focuses on a specific program and individuals conducting it.
Before being accredited, you must gain a telehealth certificate from – again – an accredited telehealth institute.
The institute and its telehealth certification programs will depend on your medical field and the service you wish to provide using telemedicine. A telehealth certification for nurses, for example, will be different from one for mental health professionals.
Still, there are some general elements of a syllabus to expect, like:
- Learning about telehealth technologies and equipment
- Online communication skills and regulations
- Telehealth documentation and regulations
- Practical assignments
Depending on the specific institute and your field of practice, some telemedicine certifications will take longer than others, with most being approachable considering the investment in time and money needed to become certified.
And, of course – most institutes offer online telehealth certification.
Telehealth Certification Institutes
Numerous telehealth certification institutes have emerged all through the U.S. in response to the rise in need for telehealth certification.
Feel free to contact Medica Depot for a personalized consultation on the right solution for you. The following is just a list to help you get a sense of what’s out there.
- Telehealth Certification Institute offers a variety of telehealth courses and certifications in the field of mental health
- Spakintec, for Medspa professionals
- Telehealth.org offers a large pool of telehealth courses and certifications for different medical fields of practice
- ACHC, or Accreditation Commission for HealthCare, offers numerous accreditation and certification programs
- American Heart Association focuses on professionals in the field of cardiology
- URAC has a large pool of certification plans
You can also find a lot of budget-friendly and often free courses on online learning platforms like Coursera and ClassCentral.
Top Telehealth Platforms
Looking at Forbes Health’s ranking of top telehealth platforms, considering factors like membership cost, variety of care and care delivery methods, etc, the following take the lead in 2024:
- HealthTap
- Teladoc
- Maven
- PlushCare
- Sesame Care
- GoodRX Care
Other sources state that, in line with these platforms, telehealth apps like BetterHelp or Doctors on Demand are gaining in popularity for their ease of use and approachability to younger patients.
Conclusion
With most healthcare providers implementing telehealth service into their regular practice came the need for a telehealth-certified medical staff able to offer the best possible service using the latest digital technologies.
Telehealth certification is now approachable to any healthcare professional and organization, with numerous reputable telehealth certification institutes, some even offering free courses to help get started.
Book a meeting with our sales team at Medica Depot for more information about telehealth certificates.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to get a telehealth certificate?
The easiest way to get a telehealth certificate is to apply to a telehealth institute offering free online courses and certificates.
What type of certificates do I need for telehealth?
In order to be able to conduct telehealth services, you will need a certificate from a telehealth certification institute, specified for your field of medical practice.
Why do I need a telehealth certificate?
As a medical professional, you need a telehealth certificate to be able to conduct safe and effective digital medical services.
What state uses telehealth the most?
Maryland is the state that uses telehealth the most, followed closely by Connecticut.
What is the largest telehealth platform?
Teladoc Health is the largest telehealth company as of 2024.
Who benefits most from telehealth?
Patients with mobility difficulties, mental health patients and all those who are not able to reach adequate medical care benefit most from telehealth.
Which is a best practice for telehealth?
It’s difficult to say which practice is the best for telehealth, but all those medical fields that can help patients who have difficulty reaching medical care seem the most, like patients with mobility difficulties.
What is possibly the biggest disadvantage to telehealth?
The biggest disadvantages of telehealth include the fact that not all medical expenses will be taken into consideration by a health insurance policy, that not all medical situations are applicable for telehealth services, and that there is still a concern about the date safety transmitted in the process.
References
Haleem A, Javaid M, Singh RP, Suman R. Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International. 2021;2(2):100117. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117
Khairat S, Chourasia P, Muellers KA, Andreadis K, Lin JJ, Ancker JS. Patient and Provider Recommendations for Improved Telemedicine User Experience in Primary Care: A Multi-Center Qualitative Study. Telemedicine Reports. 2023;4(1):21-29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/tmr.2023.0002
Horton R. TeleHealth Course Finder – California Telehealth Resource Center. Published June 1, 2021. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://caltrc.org/telehealth-course-finder/
Murphy J. RPM & Telehealth Accreditation vs. Certification: What’s the Difference? Tenovi. Published April 9, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://tenovi.com/telehealth-accreditation/
Watson S. Telehealth: The advantages and disadvantages. Harvard Health. Published October 12, 2020. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/telehealth-the-advantages-and-disadvantages
Hospital telehealth adoption by state. Definitive Healthcare. https://www.definitivehc.com/resources/healthcare-insights/hospital-telehealth-adoption-by-state
Best Telemedicine Companies Of 2024. Forbes Health. Published January 12, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/health/wellness/best-telemedicine-companies/
Types of trainings for telehealth | Telehealth.HHS.gov. telehealth.hhs.gov. Accessed May 3, 2024. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-training-and-workforce-development/types-of-trainings-for-telehealth#:~:text=Depending%20on%20the%20course%20syllabus
