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Telemedicine has ancient roots, with early methods such as hieroglyphs and smoke signals. In the 19th century, the telephone and typewriter changed healthcare communication. During the Civil War, telegraphs conveyed casualty data, and telephones aided medical team dispatch. In 1959, videoconferencing was introduced at the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute for telepsychiatry.

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Telemedicine has ancient roots, with early methods such as hieroglyphs and smoke signals. In the 19th century, the telephone and typewriter changed healthcare communication. During the Civil War, telegraphs conveyed casualty data, and telephones aided medical team dispatch. In 1959, videoconferencing was introduced at the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute for telepsychiatry.

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NASA played a major role in springing forward the use of telemedicine. Having access to medical care in space was essential for astronauts (Kichloo et al., 2020). 

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NASA played a major role in springing forward the use of telemedicine. Having access to medical care in space was essential for astronauts (Kichloo et al., 2020). 

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They also helped rural areas gain access to telemedicine. By 1990, medical images were able to be sent via the intranet.

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Before March 2020, telemedicine in the US was growing but faced challenges like reimbursement issues, location restrictions, and privacy regulations. Still, 76% of hospitals used telemedicine in 2018, with specialties like radiology, psychiatry, and cardiology leading the way. Factors like technology capabilities and reimbursement policies influenced which hospitals offered telehealth BEFORE COVID (Shaver, 2022). 

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Before March 2020, telemedicine in the US was growing but faced challenges like reimbursement issues, location restrictions, and privacy regulations. Still, 76% of hospitals used telemedicine in 2018, with specialties like radiology, psychiatry, and cardiology leading the way. Factors like technology capabilities and reimbursement policies influenced which hospitals offered telehealth BEFORE COVID (Shaver, 2022). 

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Telemedicine use in the USA has significantly grown:

1. Between 2010 and 2017, US hospitals connecting with patients through video and technology increased from 35% to 76%.

2. Telemedicine insurance claims surged by 53% from 2016 to 2017.

3. Physicians can now provide more services virtually, contributing to this trend (Kichloo et al., 2020).

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Telemedicine utilization varies by specific services and medical specialties:

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Telemedicine utilization varies by specific services and medical specialties:

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Tele-stroke has become a major provider for stroke patients since 1999.

Radiologists, psychiatrists, and cardiologists use telemedicine at rates of 39.5%, 27.8%, and 24.1% (Kichloo et al., 2020).

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Medical practices expanded telemedicine services, resulting in a 766% increase in telemedicine encounters during the first three months of Covid. 

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Medical practices expanded telemedicine services, resulting in a 766% increase in telemedicine encounters during the first three months of Covid. 

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Telemedicine visits rose to 23.6% of all interactions during this period.

20% of all healthcare visits in the US in 2020 were estimated to have been conducted via telemedicine (Shaver, 2022).

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 Outpatient visits declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 80% of physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association reported a decrease in income, with an average reduction of 32% (Shaver, 2022). 

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 Outpatient visits declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 80% of physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association reported a decrease in income, with an average reduction of 32% (Shaver, 2022). 

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When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, policymakers took action aimed at removing many of the restrictions on telehealth, to drive rapid adoption and utilization during the crisis.

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When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, policymakers took action aimed at removing many of the restrictions on telehealth, to drive rapid adoption and utilization during the crisis.

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At the federal level, the U.S. Congress quickly passed three pieces of historic legislation with major policy changes for telehealth and substantial funding for telehealth infrastructure through grants and funding awards (Vanderwerf et al., 2022).

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At a state level, states absorbed the costs of technical components with Telemedicine implementation. 

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At a state level, states absorbed the costs of technical components with Telemedicine implementation. 

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Copays were also waived for telemedicine visits by the CMS as well as some commercial healthcare plans in this time of need (Kichloo et al., 2020).

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Telemedicine offers cost-effective and accessible healthcare to individuals. There are a variety of diverse applications like radiology, psychiatry, and home healthcare available. Recent changes in HIPAA guidelines during the pandemic have expanded the use of platforms like FaceTime and Skype for telemedicine. 

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Telemedicine offers cost-effective and accessible healthcare to individuals. There are a variety of diverse applications like radiology, psychiatry, and home healthcare available. Recent changes in HIPAA guidelines during the pandemic have expanded the use of platforms like FaceTime and Skype for telemedicine. 

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Telemedicine can be especially beneficial in rural areas and for patients with limited access to traditional care.

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The major con of telemedicine is limited access to the internet. There are also privacy concerns with HIPAA, as well as the lack of physical contact for some medical examinations. This can be considered a care barrier!

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The major con of telemedicine is limited access to the internet. There are also privacy concerns with HIPAA, as well as the lack of physical contact for some medical examinations. This can be considered a care barrier!

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Kichloo, A., Albosta, M., Dettloff, K., Wani, F., El-Amir, Z., Singh, J., Aljadah, M., Chakinala, R. C., Kanugula, A. K., Solanki, S., & Chugh, S. (2020). Telemedicine, the current COVID-19 pandemic and the future: a narrative review and perspectives moving forward in the USA. Family medicine and community health, 8(3), e000530. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2020-000530

Shaver J. (2022). The State of Telehealth Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Primary care, 49(4), 517–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2022.04.002

VanderWerf, M., Bernard, J., Barta, D. T., Berg, J., Collins, T., Dowdy, M., Feiler, K., Moore, D. L., Sifri, C., Spargo, G., Taylor, C. W., Towle, C. B., & Wibberly, K. H. (2022). Pandemic Action Plan Policy and Regulatory Summary Telehealth Policy and Regulatory Considerations During a Pandemic. Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association, 28(4), 457–466. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2021.0216