Telehealth video conferencing has grown significantly over the past few years since it is accessible, convenient, and affordable while still offering high-quality healthcare service. However, it also faces challenges as the technology expands. So what are these challenges, and how to solve them? Let’s discuss this.
Table of Contents
The Basics of Telehealth Video Conferencing
Telehealth video conferencing is a tool that helps patients access medical care without leaving the comfort of their homes or offices. The same applies to doctors — they can provide virtual telehealth visits regardless of location through smartphones, laptops, and other devices. Telehealth also refers to mHealth remote services.
What is Telehealth Video Conferencing Software?
Telehealth video conferencing software is a tech that enables healthcare providers to conduct remote consultations, examinations, and treatments via video communication. This software goes beyond simple video calls, often integrating features specifically designed for medical use. Its prominent examples include secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms that protect patient privacy and provide high-definition video for accurate visual examinations. You may also regard telehealth apps as tools for sharing real-time medical records, images, and other data.
The software facilitates various healthcare interactions, from routine check-ups and follow-up appointments to remote monitoring of chronic conditions and mental health counseling. It allows for visual assessments, discussions of symptoms, and the delivery of medical advice without the need for physical presence. Many platforms also include features like screen sharing, virtual whiteboards, and recording capabilities, enhancing the collaborative nature of telehealth.
Besides, telehealth video conferencing software is crucial in improving access to specialized care, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas. It also reduces the risk of infectious disease transmission by minimizing in-person contact. Finally, such software enables healthcare providers to deliver quality care efficiently and effectively, regardless of geographical limitations.
Key Benefits of Video Conferencing in Healthcare
Since telehealth video conferencing and services provide much flexibility for doctors and patients, it has many benefits. Here are some of them to consider.
Accessibility
Patients can use telehealth video conferencing and other services from anywhere in the world as long as they are connected to the internet. It means no need to commute to get medical treatment and easier access to healthcare for developing countries.
Convenience
Patients no longer have to go to the doctor’s office. Instead, they can call or email their doctor whenever they need their consultation. Telehealth also allows scheduling appointments online instead of waiting in line at a clinic for a visit, medication refill, or other healthcare services.
Affordability
As a patient, you save on the commute to the clinic and only need to install the app developed for online communication. For the clinics, the cost of a telemedicine system is more favorable as they get to reduce expenses related to emergency room visits and hospital stays.
While the benefits of telehealth video conferencing are persuasive, the biggest push for the growth and popularization of mHealth remote services was the global COVID-19 pandemic.
A study reports that the percentage of virtual doctor visits in the US has grown from 0.1% pre-pandemic to 43.5% after Covid-19 spread. And 84% of online visits end up addressing and resolving patients’ health concerns to a full extent.
Despite the rapid growth, the telehealth field is still novel, and the technologies are evolving. That provokes many challenges that providers and users must catch up on when adopting and actively using telemedicine solutions.
Main Functionalities of Telehealth Video Call Apps
Telehealth video call apps intend to replicate the in-person healthcare experience remotely. They cover a range of functionalities that cater to the unique demands of medical consultations. Such apps go beyond basic video communication, integrating features that ensure secure, efficient, and comprehensive patient care.
- High-definition Video and Audio Communication. Enables precise visual and auditory assessments for accurate remote examinations, which are crucial for observing patient symptoms and conducting virtual examinations effectively.
- HIPAA-Compliant Security and Encryption. Ensures patient data confidentiality and compliance with healthcare regulations, promoting trust during virtual visits.
- Real-Time Data Sharing. Facilitates seamless exchange of medical records, test results, and images during consultations, enhancing collaborative decision-making.
- Virtual Waiting Rooms. Mimics the physical clinic experience, allowing patients to check in and await their appointments, improving patient experience and workflows.
- Scheduling and Appointment Management. Streamlines the appointment process for patients and care providers, reducing administrative overhead and increasing efficiency.
- Integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems. Provides easy access to patient information during virtual visits, enhancing continuity of care and ensuring accurate and up-to-date patient records.
- Remote Monitoring of Vital Signs. Enables healthcare providers to track patient health between appointments, especially for chronic conditions, improving patient outcomes and encouraging proactive care.
- Interactive Tools. Facilitates collaborative discussions and visual explanations, enhancing patient understanding and engagement during virtual consultations.
- Mental Health Counseling and Therapy. Provides secure and private platforms for individual and group therapy sessions, expanding the reach of mental health services.
- Recording Capabilities. Allows the recording of video sessions for later review, documentation, and training purposes.
Therefore, telehealth video call apps are multifaceted tools that help healthcare providers deliver comprehensive care remotely, enhancing patient access and ensuring continuity of care.
Top 3 Telemedicine Software Challenges (With Solutions)
As with any other emerging field, telehealth video conferencing and other services are experiencing many challenges. Lack of trust in the technology, privacy concerns, and some patients’ poor technical skills are the burning obstacles to the growth of mHealth. But there are some potential solutions to each of these.
1. Lack of Trust in Telehealth Services
The Problem
One of the most significant challenges in the current healthcare tech market preventing a more rapid adoption of mHealth, telehealth video conferencing and services is the need for more patient trust. And while younger generations are more open to trying out new services, older people are very reluctant and suspicious of those.
There are several reasons for the need for more trust in technology to have occurred. First, the elderly consider it new and unfamiliar, even though they are one of the demographic groups that need healthcare services most frequently and would greatly benefit from telehealth.
Then, the tech market has been experiencing a significant decrease in trust over the past ten years, both globally and in the US alone. That is associated with various factors, like spreading false information online, the lack of trust in the government’s ways of using data, and privacy concerns, which we will discuss later.
Additionally, there have been some concerns regarding the trustworthiness of the online world. In particular, 65% of respondents worry that it will soon become impossible to distinguish between what is real and what is not among what they access via technology.
In terms of mHealth, the point above leads to worry about whether the specialist behind that side of the screen has an excellent professional background or is simply a fraud. Moreover, this fear is enhanced by the lack of human contact that virtual services limit, creating a feeling of distance and decreasing confidence and trust in the doctor-patient relationship.
So, these changes have reduced trust in technology like telehealth video conferencing. And this adds to the existing hesitation regarding the reliance on tech for use in various areas of life.
The Solution
According to Edelman’s research on trust in the tech sector, users can rely on particular solutions if they understand their benefits and downsides. That would allow them to make an informed decision about adopting the technology by seeing what they are gaining and what risks they may face by using it.
Thus, transparency is the key to building trust between tech providers and their target users. So as a mHealth software vendor or clinic representative, consider implementing the following:
- Introduce the telehealth video conferencing program to patients in terms of how it will improve their way of receiving healthcare services, and support this information with real-life cases and survey results;
- Explain what concerns the change may bring to their lives and offer a solution to reduce the lack of face-to-face communication with their doctor. For example, patients can always schedule appointments at the clinic when needed;
- Gather patients’ feedback as they use telehealth to know what concerns you should address and what incentives you should offer to make the adoption easier for them;
- Collect and share testimonials from your satisfied patients to convince others about the convenience and effectiveness of telehealth services;
- Always stay in touch to help patients who use a telehealth program and have questions.
Of course, building user trust is a long process, but taking these steps will help patients view mHealth and telehealth as more reliable technologies over time.
2. Privacy and Healthcare Information Technology Management
The Problem
Privacy concerns arise when patients feel uncomfortable sharing their personal data during telehealth video conferencing. Patients may need clarification about whether the information they share during their visit will remain secure. That also applies to the medical data stored and shared within the clinic.
The reason is that an average of 17,000 patient records are compromised daily due to data breaches. And a leak of patient information poses disastrous consequences for the patient and the facility. The threats include identity theft, impersonation, insurance fraud, and even lawsuits, which lead to financial and reputational losses.
Therefore, patients need help overcoming their privacy concerns regarding mHealth remote services, including telehealth video conferencing. In particular, more than 70% of respondents are anxious about their data privacy and cybersecurity, which means the healthcare sector has a long way to go before patients can fully trust their data to the technologies involved.
The Solution
Because patient information is sensitive, it is essential to ensure secure data management in a telehealth program. The software must encrypt data and be breach-proof, while the environment where virtual visits take place needs to be secure.
Thus, clinics or software vendors have to tackle different sides of the issue simultaneously. Here are the measures to take to create a secure and data-protecting solution:
- Ensure that the tool is built in compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, or other local regulations;
- Use data encryption, limited data access, and blockchain technology to maximize data protection when the HIPAA-compliant app is in use;
- Use a role-based access model to minimize risks of patient data getting into the wrong hands and, in case of a breach, for easier identification of those potentially involved;
- Build cloud-based storage to keep patient data remotely and prevent local data breaches;
- Communicate what data you collect during your telehealth video conferencing visits and how it is stored and deleted to all stakeholders;
- Train your staff on the rules of accessing and sharing patient data based on HIPAA rules;
- Use a secure internet connection during remote patient consultations, for both messages and video conferencing and emphasize the need for a secure connection on the patient’s end;
- Be transparent about the measures you take to protect patient data during telehealth services and answer any questions patients may have on what you do with it.
After all, privacy is a serious matter to work on in the field of telehealth, and it is possible to manage patient data securely with a comprehensive approach.
3. Patients’ Lack of Technical Skills
The Problem
While it is highly convenient to use telehealth video conferencing and other services compared to traditional clinic visits, this can be a struggle for some patients. In particular, although various devices are now essential to our lives, older generations may feel less comfortable with them. For instance, almost everyone between 18-59 in the US owns a smartphone, compared to those aged 65 and older, among whom only 61% of smartphone owners. And as many as 83% of people between 50 and 64 have a smartphone too.
With this in mind, while the ownership rates of portable devices are growing, age groups that need physician consultations most often, namely the elderly, are the least likely to be smartphone or tablet owners. That translates into a significant gap between what telehealth offers and some patients’ capabilities to enjoy the services.
Then, the quality of patients’ and doctors’ devices plays a role in the service quality. Of course, medium-quality telehealth video conferencing is enough for a simple consultation. However, a discrepancy in sound quality will be detrimental to patients undergoing speech therapy, for example.
The same applies to the internet connection at patients’ homes. While it is possible to ensure a great connection at the clinic, you can never be sure whether the next patient will be able to stay on a call for the entire visit without being cut off at some point. And as we already mentioned, the security of the internet connection is an essential factor to beware of, too.
The Solution
One of the goals in developing telehealth should be to make it accessible and well-supported. Here are several steps that can help engage patients of all ages in using telehealth video conferencing:
- Discuss access to technology and the presence of tech skills with your patients to understand where they stand;
- Ask whether there is anyone at their home or nearby who can help them use telehealth video conferencing and troubleshoot in case of any issues;
- For virtual consulting, stick with software that is simple, technically non-demanding, and offers excellent customer support to make it simpler for all kinds of patients;
- Train your staff to cover scenarios that can occur as you provide telehealth services to ensure you minimize any issues on your end and help adopt virtual care more easily.
While poor technical skills are a real obstacle to using telehealth video conferencing to its fullest potential, this challenge is solvable. It is also self-resolving as time passes, and tech becomes essential in our daily lives.
How to Develop HIPAA-compliant Video Conferencing Platforms?
Developing a HIPAA-compliant platform requires a meticulous approach, focusing on security, privacy, and adherence to legal standards. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets stringent guidelines for protecting patient health information (PHI). Thus, any platform handling such data must comply. Here is a breakdown of essential steps.
Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment
Before development begins, conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities. That includes evaluating all aspects of data handling, from transmission to storage. Understand where PHI will be used, stored, and accessed. Identify potential threats like unauthorized access, data breaches, or malware attacks. This assessment will inform the security measures to mitigate these risks and ensure compliance.
Implement Robust Security Measures
In this step, you must adopt the following security techniques:
- Encryption. Use end-to-end encryption for all video and data transmissions to prevent unauthorized interception.
- Access Controls. Implement strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, to verify user identities. Role-based access controls should limit access to PHI based on user roles and responsibilities.
- Audit Trails. Maintain detailed audit logs of all activities, including access, modifications, and deletions of PHI. These logs are crucial for monitoring compliance and investigating potential security breaches.
- Secure Storage. Store PHI on secure servers with appropriate physical and technical safeguards. Regular backups and disaster recovery plans are also crucial.
Incorporate HIPAA Rules in Telehealth Video Conferencing Development
During this stage, you should consider the following compliance-related nuances:
- Business Associate Agreements (BAAs). If you use third-party services for any aspect of the platform, ensure you have signed BAAs with these vendors. These agreements outline each party’s responsibilities in protecting PHI.
- Privacy Rule Compliance. Adhere to the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which outlines how to use and disclose PHI. Provide patients with clear notices of privacy practices and obtain necessary authorizations for data use.
- Security Rule Compliance. Follow the HIPAA Security Rule, which mandates technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect electronic PHI. Update security protocols regularly and conduct security awareness training for all users.
- Breach Notification Rule. Establish a plan for notifying affected individuals and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in case of a data breach.
Perform Regular Testing and Updates
Finally, your development team must do the next crucial tasks:
- Penetration Testing. Conduct regular penetration testing to identify and address security vulnerabilities.
- Security Audits. Perform periodic security audits to ensure ongoing compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Software Updates. Keep all software components, including operating systems, applications, and security tools, updated with the latest security patches.
By taking these steps, developers can create HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platforms that prioritize patient privacy and security, foster trust and ensure regulatory adherence.
The Future of Video Conferencing in Medicine
The future of video conferencing in medicine is poised for significant expansion and innovation, driven by tech advancements and the increasing demand for accessible care. As telehealth becomes more integrated into standard practice, video conferencing will evolve beyond simple consultations. Expect enhanced integration with artificial intelligence (AI), enabling real-time analysis of patient symptoms and automated diagnostic support. AI tools will streamline administrative tasks, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will also be crucial, offering immersive experiences for patient education, surgical planning, and even remote surgical assistance. Wearable devices and remote monitoring techs will integrate with video conferencing platforms, providing continuous patient data and enabling proactive healthcare interventions.
Furthermore, developing more sophisticated and secure platforms will ensure better data privacy and compliance with evolving regulations. Interoperability between healthcare systems will improve, facilitating seamless data exchange and provider collaboration. Ultimately, video conferencing will become indispensable in delivering personalized, efficient, and accessible healthcare. That will help transform the patient experience and revolutionize medical practice.
Conclusion
Telehealth video conferencing is a beneficial technology that helps patients, healthcare providers, and society. However, it also faces some challenges that must be addressed to ensure the technology evolves. Contact us if you want to develop a telehealth solution while overcoming the challenges, and we will plan your project together.
FAQ
What are the challenges of implementing a video conference system?
Adopting a video conference system, especially within healthcare, presents some challenges that organizations must address to ensure successful integration and utilization. One primary challenge is ensuring tech infrastructure adequacy. Reliable internet connectivity is crucial, as video conferencing requires substantial bandwidth. Inconsistent or slow connections can lead to poor video and audio quality, disrupting consultations and affecting patient experience.
Security and privacy are paramount, particularly when handling sensitive patient data. Medical providers must ensure that the video conferencing platform complies with rules like HIPAA, which mandates stringent security measures to protect patient data. These measures include end-to-end encryption, secure data storage, and robust access controls.
User adoption can also be a significant hurdle. Both healthcare professionals and patients may require training to become proficient with the technology. Resistance to change or a lack of digital literacy can impede adoption rates. Integrating video conferencing with EHR systems and other healthcare software can be complex. Interoperability issues may arise, requiring custom development or extensive configuration.
Cost is another important consideration. Implementing and maintaining a high-quality video conferencing system can involve significant upfront and ongoing expenses, including software licensing, hardware procurement, and IT support. Finally, ensuring scalability to accommodate varying patient loads and diverse healthcare needs can be challenging. The system must handle peak usage times and adapt to evolving healthcare practices.
Is video conferencing in healthcare secure?
Video conferencing in healthcare can be secure, but it requires careful adoption and adherence to strict security protocols. A critical aspect is the use of end-to-end encryption. It ensures that only senders and receivers can access the communication, preventing unauthorized access. HIPAA compliance is another essential element, mandating that platforms handling patient health information (PHI) implement robust security measures. These measures include secure data storage, access controls, and audit trails.
Healthcare providers must also ensure that their internal security practices are proper. That involves regularly updating software, conducting security audits, and training personnel on best practices for data protection. Strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and implementing role-based access controls are also crucial.
Patients play a critical role in maintaining security, too. They should use secure internet connections, avoid public Wi-Fi for consultations, and protect their devices with up-to-date antivirus software. Patients should also be educated on recognizing and avoiding phishing attempts or other security threats.
Reputable video conferencing platforms for healthcare often include features like waiting rooms, secure login procedures, and session logging. These features enhance security and provide an audit trail for compliance purposes. When implemented correctly, video conferencing apps can provide a safe and efficient means of delivering healthcare services.
What is HIPAA-compliant video conferencing?
HIPAA-compliant video conferencing refers to video communication tech that adheres to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards. HIPAA is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy and security of PHI. For video conferencing to be HIPAA-compliant, you must incorporate measures to safeguard PHI during transmission, storage, and access.
One crucial aspect is the use of end-to-end encryption. That ensures data is encrypted during transmission, making it unreadable to unauthorized parties. Access controls are also essential, requiring strong authentication mechanisms like multi-factor authentication that help verify user identities. Role-based access controls should limit access to PHI based on user roles.
HIPAA compliance also mandates using Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with any third-party vendors involved in the video conferencing process. These agreements outline each party’s responsibilities in protecting PHI. Audit trails are necessary to log all activities related to PHI, providing a record of access, modifications, and deletions.
Secure data storage is another critical component. PHI must be stored on secure servers with appropriate physical and technical safeguards. Regular backups and disaster recovery plans are essential to ensure data integrity and availability. Healthcare providers must also ensure that their staff is trained on HIPAA regulations and best practices for data protection.
Finally, you should follow breach notification rules in the event of a security incident. That includes notifying affected individuals and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as required by law. By adhering to these guidelines, medical providers can use video conferencing to deliver care remotely while ensuring patient privacy and security.
How can you use AI in telehealth video conferencing?
Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance telehealth video conferencing, improving efficiency, accuracy, and patient experience. The tech automates administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, sending reminders, and processing insurance claims, freeing medical providers to focus on patient care. AI-powered chatbots can handle routine patient inquiries, providing immediate support and reducing the workload on human staff.
AI can analyze patient data in real-time during video consultations, providing valuable insights to healthcare providers. For example, AI algorithms examine facial expressions, voice patterns, and vital signs to detect subtle changes in a patient’s condition. They can also assist in remote monitoring, alerting providers to potential health issues based on data from wearable devices.
Moreover, AI-driven diagnostic tools help interpret medical images and test results. During video consultations, AI can analyze images shared by patients or providers, showing areas of concern and providing diagnostic support. That helps improve the accuracy and speed of diagnoses, particularly in remote areas with limited access to specialists.
AI can personalize patient care by tailoring treatment plans and recommendations based on individual patient data. The relevant algorithms explore patient history, genetic information, and lifestyle factors to develop personalized care plans. AI-powered language translation tools can facilitate communication with patients who speak different languages.
Ultimately, AI may also enhance the security of telehealth video conferencing by detecting and preventing cyberattacks. AI platforms can check network traffic and user behavior to identify suspicious activity and prevent data breaches. Ultimately, AI transforms telehealth video calling apps into a more efficient, accurate, and accessible means of delivering care services.
