Patients and physicians nationwide are leveraging health information technology to make their health care interaction more efficient and effective without necessarily having to be face-to-face. The use of existing and emerging technologies—such as cell phones, personal health records, mobile apps, and monitoring devices–are creating ways for patients and providers to monitor health conditions remotely.
Endocrinologist, Dr. Gail Nunlee-Bland shared her story with ONC about several telehealth studies she has done with elderly patients to help improve their diabetes self-management.

Patients and physicians nationwide are leveraging health information technology (health IT) to make their health care interaction more efficient and effective without necessarily having to be face-to-face. The use of existing and emerging technologies—such as cell phones, personal health records, mobile apps, and monitoring devices—are creating ways for patients and providers to monitor health conditions remotely. Endocrinologist, Dr. Gail Nunlee-Bland, shared her story with ONC about several studies she has done looking at how using health information technology can improve her patients’ diabetes self-management.

Imagine if you had a cell phone from a particular carrier that could only call other phones serviced by that carrier. A system such as that would limit the sharing of information and communication among all members in the cell phone community. The current wireless infrastructure allows cell phones to exchange data, text messages, emails, and phone calls across all networks—obviously the best way to facilitate effective communication.