Telemedicine is the future, but its adoption is hindered by behavioral changes and technical issues 

The webinar highlighted the growing importance of telemedicine in healthcare. Experts from TytoCare and SWICA Health Organization shared their experiences in deploying medical exam solutions and the benefits they observed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they acknowledged that the adoption of telemedicine on a wider scale is hampered by the need for significant behavioral changes and technical adjustments.  “Remote is now the norm. We all understand that,” said Uzi Blumensohn of TytoCare, emphasizing the necessity for telehealth services in today’s digital age. However, a poll conducted during the webinar revealed that 50% of participants believe that the adoption of technology and technical issues are the main reasons limiting telemedicine from replacing more physical visits. Health Organization also noted the challenge of changing healthcare habits, stating that “changing habits in general, it’s not simple, in all areas of life.” He explained that the challenge is not only in making the patients comfortable with the technology, but also in training clinicians on the limitations of telemedicine and informing them about alternative methods of information gathering. 

Telemedicine can reduce the number of physical visits while improving patient satisfaction 

The webinar discussed the potential of telemedicine to reduce the number of physical visits to healthcare facilities while improving patient satisfaction. The panelists shared their experiences with implementing TytoCare’s telemedicine solution and how it has improved efficiencies in their respective organizations.  “Patients have submitted now at under one thousand exams…and the vast majority did not require an additional video consultation,” said Oliver Reich, explaining how a telemedicine system has contributed to reducing physical visits in SWICA Health Organization. He added that preliminary results show that SWICA’s virtual visits offer a significantly lower number of visits compared to other telemedicine customers. In terms of patient satisfaction, Reich noted that “we are currently looking at a satisfaction rate of even ninety-two percent.” He attributed this high satisfaction rate to the convenience and improved accessibility provided by telemedicine services.

Despite the potential benefits, telemedicine can’t replace all aspects of traditional medicine  

The webinar also addressed the limitations of telemedicine, emphasizing that it cannot replace all aspects of traditional medicine despite its many benefits. The panelists explained that certain medical examinations and diagnostics still require physical presence and cannot be performed remotely.   “However due to the absence of an in-person physical examination, of course, we have limitations in providing a medical diagnosis in certain cases,” said Oliver Reich. He pointed out that even with the advanced technology of telemedicine devices, certain consultations and diagnostics that require physical examinations remain a challenge to perform remotely. Uzi Blumensohn agreed, stating that “the content of the communication today between the physician and the patient does not include the exam data.” He argued that while telemedicine can significantly enhance healthcare delivery, it cannot fully replace physical visits without reliable data from physical examinations. Blumensohn further emphasized the need for continuous training and education for clinicians to maximize the benefits of telemedicine while understanding its limitations.