There is a new term in medicine. Telehealth. It is defined as:
“Health-related services and information delivered via telecommunications technologies.” (Wikipedia)
This method of delivering health care can provide access to patients in remote locations. It is an affordable way to stretch resources, especially in poorer or less developed cultures. In the United States, it is being used effectively to care for patients with chronic illnesses such as asthma, and diabetes. For nurses, it has introduced a never-before-used concept, the work-at-home nurse.
Nurses who work in telehealth provide triage and disease management services to patients via phone. Patients call in to nurses with health questions. Nurses keep tabs on their patients with serious and chronic conditions by checking in periodically by phone.
And the field is growing. During the past three years, McKesson Health Solutions, one of the leading employers of nurses in telehealth positions, has increased its positions from 13 to more than 500 nurse “agents”. IntelliCare and United Healthcare offer similar work-at-home positions.
