“Use Skype advisedly”: practices urged to use standards-based telehealth platforms
Telehealth experts are recommending that healthcare organisations use standards-based telehealth platforms rather than consumer-grade apps like Skype or Facetime when remotely consulting with patients during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Australasian Telehealth Society (ATHS) says Skype and Facetime are not secure platforms and they needed to be used advisedly.
The call comes as the federal government confirms a new MBS item number will be made available on Friday to GPs, specialists, nurses and mental health practitioners for bulk-billed consultations with affected patients by phone or video.
Posted in Australian eHealth
Tags: Telehealth, COVID-19
Comments
My other concern is that the 'secure' platforms you mention are all proprietary systems, and while many have a free client; by their nature may be less accessible to patients/consum ers. Let's use what people know and have instead of forcing a system that may be more challenging to use and cause frustration and therefore a risk of giving up and not getting care.
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are important considerations in any technology solution, healthcare or not. Thanks.
Peter Mellow, Director, Learning Design and Systems, Learning and Teaching Directorate, Eastern Health.