Virtual Clinic versus Telemedicine: Are They Different?
Code: G-1293
Authors: Mohammad Heydaryan Manesh * ℗
Schedule: Not Scheduled!
Tag: AR & VR in Medicine
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Abstract:
Abstract
Background and aims: What we refer to today as virtual clinics are mostly a subcategory of telemedicine, but we generally do not distinguish between the two and do not know what requirements virtual clinics must have in order to use the term virtual clinic for them. In most countries of the world, there are no established standards for this, but by reviewing the texts from various articles, we try to explain to some extent the difference between these two terms and the features that exist in virtual clinics. Method: This narrative review was conducted through field research and a comprehensive search of reputable online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Latin and other online dictionaries. Relevant literature was identified using targeted keywords. The researcher analyzed the subject by synthesizing extracted information and interpreting key concepts through a structured and immersive review process. Results: There are three basic concepts in telemedicine terminology: 1- The existence of two people, one as a service recipient and the other as a service provider 2- The existence of a spatial distance between these two people 3- The use of communication tools to establish communication in order to improve health. Also, when virtual services are being provided through a software platform, the concept of virtual care and virtual clinics has occurred, respectively, in which the term virtual care can be used instead of virtual services, and the software platform constitutes our virtual clinic. Conclusion: Virtual clinics and telemedicine are different. What is referred to as one concept today differs greatly in detail, and there is a need to establish characteristics to differentiate between virtual care that takes place in the context of virtual clinics and telemedicine, and it is suggested that further studies should be conducted to separate these two concepts in more detail.
Keywords
Virtual Clinics, Telemedicine, Virtual Care
