The world is changing, and to keep up, we have to change with it. Our medical system is no exception. In recent years, we have seen a dramatic shift in the delivery of healthcare services.
The traditional model of medicine, where patients receive care from a doctor or other provider in person, is giving way to a newer, more flexible model of care known as telehealth. This is why it is becoming increasingly important for healthcare workers and RNs to obtain a telehealth certificate of completion that shows they’re familiar with the fundamentals of this forward-thinking mode of healthcare.
Telehealth has been growing steadily. In fact, between February and April 2020, telehealth appointments increased 78 times their average rate due to the pandemic. With this exponential rise in its use, telemedicine is here to stay.
Telemedicine, sometimes also called telehealth or telecare, is the new face of medicine, providing safe access and convenient wait times. Simply put, telemedicine and telehealth nursing jobs use technology to bring medical care and services to patients who cannot physically visit a doctor or other healthcare provider.
While many use the terms telemedicine and telehealth interchangeably, there are subtle differences. Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients using telecommunications technology. On the other hand, telehealth is a broader term that refers to all types of remote healthcare, including but not limited to telemedicine.
To make it easier, think of Telehealth as the umbrella category that telemedicine falls beneath. People will also use “telecare,” which refers to the specific technology used to put telemedicine into practice.
What is “Webside Manner”?
Since telehealth interactions take place remotely, it is imperative to consider the quality of relationships between the provider and the patient. This is called “webside manner” and it describes the quality of interactions between a provider and a patient over the internet.
A well-designed training program, like the Introduction to Telehealth and Telemedicine course offered by Premiere Education, will cover webside manner in detail by showing real-life case studies and scenarios. The components of webside manner can be remembered with a handy mnemonic:
W: Warmth. Showing empathy and concern for the patient
E: Equality. Treating the patient as an equal partner in their care
B: Boundaries. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
S: Supportiveness. Providing emotional support to the patient
I: Interest. Showing genuine interest in the patient and their case
D: Direction. Providing clear directions and instructions to the patient
Of course, these components do not encompass the entirety of webside manner, and a strong course will prepare you for multiple contingencies. Remember that the quality of the interaction with patients is just as important as if you were face-to-face. By taking the time to cultivate webside manner, healthcare workers can ensure that their patients receive the best possible care.
Why Take a Telehealth and Telemedicine Course?
Telehealth, telemedicine, and telecare are here to stay. If you want to ensure excellent healthcare and quality patient interactions, it’s time to learn how to use this technology properly. Here are a few reasons why obtaining a telehealth certificate of completion can enrich your career:
1. Learn about different aspects of telemedicine
Telemedicine involves using telecommunications technologies to deliver medical care and services. In a comprehensive course, you will learn about the different types of telemedicine technologies and tools, how they work, and how to use them effectively.
2. Understand the legal and ethical issues involved in telemedicine
Multiple legal and ethical considerations are key when providing care via telemedicine. These include patient confidentiality, informed consent, and physician-patient relationships. A strong course will cover these topics in depth so that you can be sure you are providing care in a way that complies with the law.
3. Get hands-on experience with telemedicine technologies
In addition to providing a thorough introduction to telemedicine, a superior course will also offer practical guidance about the technology with telehealth examples drawn from real life practitioner-patient interactions. This will give aspiring telehealth jobs seekers an understanding of how these tools work in real life.
4. Earn continuing education credits
If you’re a health care provider, working toward a telehealth certificate of completion can also help you to meet your continuing education requirements. Many systems offer credits that can be applied toward your licensure renewal.
5. Stay up-to-date with the latest telemedicine innovations
The field of telemedicine is constantly evolving, with new technologies and applications being developed all the time. By taking a course, you can ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest innovations and developments in the field.
If you are interested in providing care to patients via telemedicine, taking an introductory telehealth course is an effective way to get started. These courses can offer you a comprehensive introduction to the field, including legal and ethical considerations.
Of course, a telemedicine and telehealth course won’t benefit only the practitioner. In the long run, a well-trained healthcare worker is better able to serve patients, and that’s the goal! When receiving a telehealth certificate of completion, healthcare workers will be up-to-date on the latest telecare practices and able to give patients safe, expedient, accessible, efficient, and knowledgeable care based on the latest tools and industry developments.
While many telehealth courses are available, it’s with it to take the time to research and find an introductory program that awards a telehealth certificate of completion. This is an important benchmark because it will demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary training and skills to work in telehealth.
What do Telehealth and Telemedicine Courses Cover?
Typically, a thorough and well-rounded telehealth course will cover all aspects of the telehealth model, including:
- The key contributors that propelled the exponential use of telehealth in the healthcare system
- Learning to recognize challenges presented by the telemedicine system and how to overcome them
- Examining how payments and reimbursements work in your area
- How to adopt the best practices used in your area
- What solutions to apply to challenges encountered in the telemedicine realm
- Ways to integrate a seamless patient experience into your practice
A Telehealth Certificate of Completion Will Advance Your Career
If you want to improve your career with access to telehealth jobs and provide superior patient care, consider taking a telehealth and telemedicine course. With so many benefits, it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run.
Investing in your telehealth education is the best way to put your foot forward in this new era of medicine. The “Introduction to Telehealth and Telemedicine” course with Premiere Education is a fantastic way to get started.
This comprehensive course offers first-rate instruction on everything from best practices to ethics to perfecting webside manner. Whether you’re new to telehealth or just need to brush up on your telecare skills, a telehealth certificate of completion from this Premiere Education course is your ticket to success.
Check out the course today!
