TrueProfile, a part of UAE Based DataFlow Group, a leading provider of specialized PSV ( Primary Source Verfication) Solutions, background screening and immigration compliace services beleives that telemedicine is one way of putting patient safety first especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Already Forrestor report indicated that virtual care visits will reach 20 million in 2021.
Alejandro Coca, co-head of TrueProfile.io says, “With the virus only getting worse currently, and with the increase we’ve already seen in telemedicine, it’s an approach to primary care that is here to stay. The pandemic has caused a more widespread acceptance of technology from a broader segment of society – from people increasing their online spending and working remotely to becoming more familiar with various video platforms and accepting more digital payment methods. Even technophobes have been embracing technologies, new systems and processes. It’s therefore clear to see that telemedicine will only increase over the coming years. However, as with any advancement in technology, it’s important that safety and privacy concerns are abated.”
Alejandro outlines that it’s critical for healthcare professionals to be properly vetted before allowing them to practice on a telemedicine platform, “there are a whole host of new providers offering virtual health services which need to quickly scale in order to meet patient demand. They are therefore recruiting aggressively, which has the potential to be great for patients, who will be able to get access to a doctor’s appointment instantly as a result. However, this is only great if patient care is kept front of mind too. Alejandro adds, “Telemedicine providers must ensure they source verified, credible healthcare professionals to be assured of their skills and qualifications. Verification is an important step in the healthcare process as it is, but in a physical environment, once a healthcare professional is hired, they typically are then further assessed by their peers, who evaluate their abilities. The very nature of virtual healthcare makes this process difficult, meaning it’s even more important to ensure thorough skills and qualification verification. Only through this can providers ensure they offer patients the best services in an increasingly competitive marketplace, while also keeping them protected.”
Alongside patient safety, there is also a concern over patient privacy and because telemedicine is much more than simply a video call, providers should also be placing data protection at the top of their agendas.
TrueProfile is using Blockchain to ensure that records on telemedicine applications are protected. As Alejandro explains, “Telemedicine apps allow patients and doctors to share and store sensitive information such as test results and x-rays, so it’s imperative that the right technology is in place to ensure these records are protected. This is where the use of blockchain should be implemented.
