Healthcare IT Update

Respondents fear unresolved reimbursement issues could be a barrier.

The use of telehealth technology will have a positive impact on the health care industry over the next 10 years, a poll by Intel suggests.

Eighty-nine percent of the health care decision makers polled put their bets on the technology, but also expressed some reservations, including the reluctance of patients and caregivers to try it, and the issue of reimbursement.

Telehealth services could be as simple as a physician using email to check on a patient’s condition, or as advanced as two health professionals discussing a case via video conferencing. Respondents believe that the technology will result to better patient care and lower costs. Other benefits mentioned include better doctor access to patient data and early detection of health issues.

Two-thirds of the health professionals surveyed are telehealth users, and 87 percent say they are satisfied with the technology.…