Top 4 telemedicine apps
The American Telemedicine Association is projecting that healthcare providers will conduct more than 50 percent of services virtually in the U.S. by 2030. Telemedicine was a $45.5 billion market in 2019, even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, and that figure is estimated to exceed $175.5 billion by 2026.
In other words, more people are choosing to stay home for their medical visits as opposed to going into the office, and one of the ways they can do this is through a telemedicine app.
Telemedicine apps are based on the technology used in common video chat tools — like Skype or Google Meet. These apps connect patients with doctors who provide consultation through a video chat. (Some doctors can even help patients manage diseases like diabetes or high cholesterol and send prescriptions to chosen pharmacies.)
Below are four telemedicine apps that can help connect patients and healthcare providers in a convenient, secure way. There is no membership fee for any of them, but service costs will vary depending on coverage.
1. Teladoc
As one of the leaders in the telemedicine industry, Teladoc offers an app and online portal where patients fill out a brief medical history and then get access to the “everyday care” that Teladoc provides. This covers conditions such as the flu, allergies, sinus infections, and rashes. If needed, the consulting doctor can send prescriptions to the patient’s desired pharmacy.
Aside from everyday care, Teladoc also provides access to therapists and psychiatrists for mental health support, giving users the option to continue care with the same specialist every visit. Patients can also get a consultation with a dermatologist by uploading images of their skin issue to the app. For common skin conditions, the dermatologist can provide a treatment plan and prescription, if necessary.
The app is available from the Google Play store and the App Store.
2. Doctor On Demand
This option is available 24-7, and if you need an immediate appointment, the service will assign a doctor for you. For scheduled appointments, however, patients can select the provider they’d like to see. Doctor On Demand covers common urgent care matters — such as the cold and flu, skin conditions, women’s health, men’s health, allergies, and headaches.
They’re also very clear on what they won’t treat, and that includes things like traumatic brain injuries, chest pain and/or numbness, vomiting or coughing blood, severe burns, broken bones, and lacerations.
In addition to urgent care, they provide users with behavioral health, chronic care, and preventative health options that include wellness visits, family medicine, diet and nutrition counseling, and medications.
The app is available from the Google Play store and the App Store.
3. Amwell
With more than 1.5 million downloads, the Amwell app allows its users to see a provider’s overall rating and experience on the app and choose among the available doctors based on their background and experience.
They offer general urgent care services to treat common conditions — such as colds, flu, strep throat, sinus infections, and cold sores. However, they also offer specialty services — like therapy, psychiatry, pediatrics, breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, and women’s health.
One thing that sets Amwell apart is the fact they mostly act as supplemental healthcare for patients who have previously received or are currently receiving services in person. For example, services like breastfeeding support and nutrition could supplement in-person services from obstetricians and gynecologists who might not have the extra time to discuss these particulars.
The app is available from the Google Play store and the App Store.
4. PlushCare
With this option, patients can often schedule appointments with their provider of choice within an hour, every day of the year. PlushCare can fully integrate with the patient’s labs, insurer, and pharmacy to streamline care. They treat many primary conditions — such as allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, flu, migraines, diabetes, yeast infections, and stomach issues.
They also treat mental health conditions, and their doctors have the ability to provide either an initial prescription or a refill on most medications — aside from controlled substances. In addition, they offer unlimited messaging with the user’s dedicated doctor and care team right from the app.
The app is available from the Google Play store and the App Store.
Using mobile forms for telemedicine
With the increasing use of telemedicine and more patients reaching out through apps, it’s more important than ever that everyone in your practice is on the same page — literally. No matter where you work, the Jotform Mobile Forms app lets you collect data that you can manage from your phone or tablet.
These forms give you the ability to collect patient intake information and electronic signatures. In addition, you can assign specific forms to members of your team so that they can send, view, and manage responses. The app includes popular integrations and advanced form features for better data collection and collaboration — whether your patient is in the office or being seen from their living room.
With Jotform’s features that help with HIPAA compliance, you can also collect and centralize all of your medical information, patient feedback, employee applications, and payments in one place through forms that work anywhere. If you participate in a telemedicine platform, these mobile forms will help you securely provide care to patients remotely — now and in the future.
HIPAA-friendly Mobile App for Healthcare Services
Manage appointments, health records, consent forms, intake forms, and more with the Jotform Health app. No need for paper forms — use Jotform to speed up your workflow and securely collect medical data on any device!
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