Store and forward telehealth: Benefits for patients, providers and researchers with examples

Learn more about what store and forward telehealth is, its benefits for patients, providers and researchers as well as some examples of use in the different medical fields.

Author: Jennifer Highland, Content Manager of Miiskin | Reviewed by: Jon Friis, Founder, and CEO of Miiskin

Store and forward telehealth (also known as asynchronous telehealth) is changing the way healthcare providers deliver care, especially in the field of dermatology since most dermatological conditions are highly visible on the skin. Patients are requesting dermatology care now, but providers have limited resources and a very high volume of patients.

Store and forward telehealth (SAF telehealth) can help providers keep up with this demand by enabling them to offer efficient, virtual care that is convenient for both patients and providers.

Healthcare providers who fail to adopt this technology risk falling behind. According to a global survey, a staggering 74% of patients prioritize easy access to healthcare services over in-person visits. Embracing modern telehealth solutions is crucial for providers to meet patient expectations and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape^1.

Besides, SAF telehealth is an excellent way to provide care to more patients and make private practices and health systems more efficient.

In this article we will explore the definition of store and forward telehealth, its benefits, its applications and the different use through the different medical specialties.

What is store and forward telehealth?

Store and forward telehealth is a powerful method that captures clinically significant digital samples, such as still images, videos, audio, and text files, in one location. These files are then transmitted to remote health professionals for interpretation without the need for simultaneous presence of the patient and their healthcare provider².

This approach optimizes healthcare delivery by offering convenient and efficient remote consultations, benefiting patients and healthcare professionals alike. In the United States, it is facilitated through a HIPAA-compliant platform.

To do this exchange of information, patients (or a sending provider seeking a second opinion) use a smartphone app or web portal to gather and send the information. The information collected is then accessible to the receiving provider via a web portal.

Store and forward telehealth offers more convenience and increased flexibility for both patients and clinicians³.

Benefits of store and forward telehealth

A McKinsey survey revealed that up to 98% percent of patients reported satisfaction with telehealth. In another, 72% of healthcare providers reported similar or better experiences with remote engagement compared with in-person visits⁴.

Research findings also indicate that store and forward telehealth is comparable to high-quality live video conferencing in terms of diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness. In other words, the two methods demonstrate similar diagnostic capabilities, highlighting the potential of store and forward telehealth as a reliable and viable option for remote healthcare consultations⁵.

Moreover, store and forward telehealth has minimal technical requirements, making it highly convenient for both patients and providers with busy schedules. Unlike synchronous methods, it does not require simultaneous availability, allowing for flexible interactions and efficient healthcare delivery at the convenience of all parties involved.

Benefits of store and forward telehealth for patients

Increased accessibility: Patients can access healthcare services from anywhere, overcoming geographical barriers and reaching specialists without traveling.
Convenience and flexibility: Store and forward telehealth allows patients to interact at their own convenience, eliminating the need for simultaneous appointments and accommodating busy schedules.
Reduced wait times: With e-consults patients experience faster access to care as they can submit information and receive responses within one to two days.
Time and cost savings: Patients save time and money by avoiding the commute to healthcare facilities and potentially taking time off from work.
Improved continuity of care: Patients can have consistent follow-up care, ensuring ongoing monitoring and management of chronic conditions.
Access to patient education materials: Patients can access educational materials, videos, and resources to better understand their conditions and treatment plans.
Increased engagement: Patients become more engaged in their healthcare as they actively participate in their care through the platform.
Access to specialist consultations: Patients can easily seek second opinions or consultations with specialists without the need for in-person visits.
Efficient prescription refills: Patients can conveniently renew prescriptions online without visiting the healthcare provider’s office.

Benefits of store and forward telehealth for providers

Flexibility: Providers can review patient information and respond at their convenience, allowing for more flexible scheduling and better work-life balance.
Efficient patient care: Store and forward telehealth enables efficient remote consultations, reducing the need for in-person visits and streamlining the care process.
Access to remote patients: Providers can serve patients in remote or underserved areas in as many states as they have a medical license to practice medicine, expanding their reach and patient base.
Collaboration and consultation: Providers can easily collaborate with colleagues and specialists, seeking second opinions and sharing information for improved patient care.
Time savings: Providers can save time by reviewing patient data and images asynchronously, optimizing their workflow and productivity.
Enhanced documentation: Store and forward telehealth facilitates comprehensive documentation of patient cases for insurance or liability purposes while also leading to more accurate records and better continuity of care.
Increased patient engagement: Store and forward platforms foster patient engagement as patients actively participate in their care through data submission and communication.
Improved follow-up: Providers can efficiently conduct virtual follow-up visits, ensuring consistent monitoring and management of patients’ conditions.
Cost savings: Providers can potentially reduce operational costs by minimizing the need for physical appointments and optimizing resource allocation.
Cater to digital patients: Younger generations demand virtual care due to the many benefits it brings. Providers who do not adopt these technologies will lose these younger patients.

Benefits of store and forward telehealth for researchers

Remote data collection: Store and forward telehealth simplifies the collection and submission of patient data and medical information, enabling efficient remote participation in clinical trials.
Real-time monitoring: Researchers can monitor patient progress and treatment responses in real-time through asynchronous data submissions, facilitating timely interventions and data analysis.
Improved patient recruitment and retention: Store and forward telehealth expands the reach of clinical trials, making it easier for patients to participate from various locations. This improves recruitment rates and enhances patient retention throughout the study.
Reduced burden on participants: Asynchronous data submission allows participants to provide updates and information conveniently without the need for frequent in-person visits, reducing the burden of participation.
Enhanced data accuracy and quality: Store and forward telehealth platforms can enforce data completeness and standardization, leading to more accurate and reliable data for analysis.
Streamlined collaboration: Asynchronous data sharing fosters seamless collaboration among research teams, sponsors, and investigators, ensuring efficient information exchange and decision-making.
Cost and time savings: By minimizing the need for physical visits and centralizing data management, store and forward telehealth reduces overall trial costs and accelerates study timelines.
Increased diversity and representation: The convenience of remote participation encourages a more diverse and representative participant pool, leading to more robust study outcomes.
Remote adverse event reporting: Participants can easily report adverse events or side effects through the telehealth platform, ensuring prompt safety monitoring and response.
Adaptable for global trials: Store and forward telehealth can be adapted for international clinical trials, overcoming geographic barriers and expanding research opportunities worldwide.

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Offer efficient care delivery: Make routine visits more time-efficient with asynchronous telehealth, reimbursable at a similar rate to in-person visits.

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Store and forward telehealth examples in various medical fields

Primary care

Store and forward telehealth is highly beneficial for primary care. It improves access to specialists, in many cases it enables patient triage, and it ensures timely diagnosis and treatment. It also supports the treatment of skin conditions and chronic disease management. This approach complements traditional care, providing a comprehensive and accessible healthcare solution.

Specialist Referrals

Store and forward telemedicine offers an effective platform for specialist referrals. Providers can securely transfer patient information and images to specialists remotely, enabling them to provide their expert opinion and determine whether a consultation is necessary. This seamless process enhances collaboration between healthcare providers and ensures timely access to specialized care for patients.

Dermatology

Asynchronous telemedicine is well-suited for dermatology, where visual assessment plays a crucial role. Patients can capture and submit images of skin conditions, rashes, or lesions to dermatologists. Dermatologists can review these images, provide diagnoses, recommend treatment plans, or even triage cases based on urgency.

The superiority of store and forward telehealth especially in the field of dermatology (also known as teledermatology) is clear for patients and providers. Research shows that high-quality images in virtual consultations also provide high patient satisfaction⁶.

Example of a store and forward telehealth process in dermatology

1. Patients (or a sending provider) shares information with a dermatology specialist

2. Typical information shared: chief complaint, symptoms, medical history, close-up images of the skin condition

3. Receiving provider reviews information a store and forward telehealth platform or web portal, without a live-interaction.

Clinical research

Store and forward telehealth offers multiple benefits for clinical trials. It enhances remote data collection, enables real-time monitoring, and improves patient recruitment and retention. By reducing participant burden, ensuring data accuracy, and streamlining collaboration, it contributes to cost and time savings. Additionally, it promotes diversity in participant representation and facilitates remote adverse event reporting, making it adaptable for global trials.

Wound care management

Store and forward telemedicine is also suitable for wound care management. Patients can capture images of their wounds using a digital camera or a smartphone and upload them to a secure online platform or electronic health record system. These images provide healthcare providers with visual information about the wound’s healing trajectory, allowing them to assess the progress remotely. Patients can provide updates on their wound’s progress, share photographs of the wound, and describe any changes or concerns they may have.

A state-of-the-art store and forward telehealth platform

The Miiskin platform is a store and forward telehealth solution designed for independent practices, health systems and clinical researchers.

It comprises the Miiskin app for patients and a clinical web portal for healthcare providers.

The Miiskin platform facilitates virtual care for patient consultations, triaging patients, prescription renewals, and follow-up care for those with chronic skin conditions.

Key Benefits

Rapid access: Miiskin significantly reduces patient waiting times, offering consultations within 48 hours instead of waiting weeks for in-person appointments.
Enhanced provider flexibility: The platform grants healthcare providers more flexibility in managing their schedules, optimizing their workflow and time management.
E-consults complement physical appointments: The Miiskin platform complements traditional physical appointments, providing an effective and convenient option for delivering healthcare services.

References:
https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2013/m03/cisco-study-reveals-74-percent-of-consumers-open-to-virtual-doctor-visit.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2765770/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6231765/
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/helping-us-healthcare-stakeholders-understand-the-human-side-of-the-covid-19-crisis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19035797/
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/tmj.2017.0078