Academic Medicine Open Forum

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  • 1.  "telemedicine" definition and structure

    Posted 03-17-2022 01:07:00 PM
    Hi all,

    I'm curious how your organization defines and supports "telemedicine".


    We currently define "telemedicine" as live, real-time audio-video interactions between provider and patient. And audio-only interactions (ex. phone visits) have typically been outside of our digital health department. However, our state recently modified its statutory definition of telemedicine to now include "audio-only" telemedicine, and we're considering whether we should update our "telemedicine" definition and structure in turn.

    Does your organization include audio-only interactions in its definition of "telemedicine"? And does the department that supports telemedicine (and/or other services under the digital health umbrella) support audio-only interactions?

    Appreciate any feedback you have! Thank you!



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    Rachel Abramson
    Program Manager for Telemedicine
    UW Medicine
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  • 2.  RE: "telemedicine" definition and structure

    Posted 03-22-2022 04:57:00 PM
    Hi Rachel, I'm tagging @Sarah Hampton here to see if she might have some folks that can help add to this post. Also, a new telemedicine community is in the process of launching, so keep an eye out for that coming soon!​​

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    Penny Schnarrs
    Virtual Communities Program Manager
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: "telemedicine" definition and structure

    Posted 03-23-2022 09:01:00 AM
    We use the term "virtual visit" for our telehealth/telemedicine services.

    A virtual visit (also known as telehealth or telemedicine) is a video chat (or sometimes phone call) that allows a patient to address his or her health concerns with a provider without an in-person appointment. Patients can visit with a doctor without leaving home using video chat through their phone, tablet, or computer.

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    Susan Foster
    Privacy Compliance Educator
    Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: "telemedicine" definition and structure

    Posted 03-24-2022 03:59:00 PM
    @Rachel Abramson Hi Rachel--great question! When the AAMC kicked off our telehealth work several years back, we had a lively discussion on how best to define telehealth or telemedicine. To keep it broad and inclusive, we typically define telehealth as the use of technology to deliver care at a distance. We include audio-only in our telehealth work, especially for advocacy and regulatory efforts. And when we think about telehealth and its impact on health care equity, including audio-only is important for ensuring access to care for many patient populations. I hope this helps. You can also find a collection of the AAMC's telehealth resources here: aamc.org/telehealth. We do have a data snapshot coming out either tomorrow or early next week that shows the importance of audio-only and video visits in meeting mental health needs at academic health systems. And we just launched the AAMC's second annual Telehealth Equity Catalyst "TEC" Awards and Pilot Grants. You can find more information about the Call for Applications on the website. Let me know if you have any questions!​

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    Sarah Hampton
    Program Specialist
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message