There are all kinds of specialist services provided by telemedicine – telepsychiatry, teleradiology, tele-ICU, just to name a few. But there's a unique telemedicine service that has been growing that merits attention: medical device prescriptions via virtual care.

UpScriptHealth specializes in this form of healthcare delivery. Recently, Axena Health – a medical device company focused on female pelvic health – launched telehealth services with UpScriptHealth to connect women with prescribing clinicians who can evaluate their incontinence symptoms and, if appropriate, prescribe the Leva System. With the U.S. experiencing a growing shortage of OB-GYNs, the new telehealth service will allow women to access effective first-line treatment quickly and easily.

UpScriptHealth also works with other medical device companies to increase access – for example, it powers telehealth consultations for Spark Biomedical's Sparrow Ascent, the only FDA-cleared, drug-free, non-addictive, non-invasive, wearable treatment technology for the relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms. And it works with Lucid Diagnostics to increase access to esophageal precancer testing via telehealth.

We interviewed UpScriptHealth founder and CEO Peter Ax to discuss his direct-to-consumer telehealth company, what it is about medical devices that lend themselves to telemedicine, how the whole process works for getting a medical device prescription via telehealth, how a telehealth company and a medical device manufacturer work together, and what lessons he has learned about delivering telehealth.

Q. Your direct-to-consumer telehealth company specializes in medical device prescriptions. What is it about medical devices that lend themselves to telemedicine?

A. Medical devices are uniquely suited for telemedicine because they enable remote monitoring and management, which is a significant advantage for healthcare providers and patients alike. By using connected medical devices, healthcare providers can track patients' conditions in real time, collecting vital health data continuously or at scheduled intervals without the need for in-person visits.

This capability is especially valuable for managing chronic conditions like diabetes, where consistent monitoring and timely interventions are crucial for effective management and treatment adherence.

The convenience and accessibility of telemedicine are transformative for patients. Through telehealth, patients can access medical device prescriptions and follow-up care from the comfort of their own homes. This is particularly beneficial for those living in remote or underserved areas, where healthcare facilities may be sparse and travel can be burdensome.

Telemedicine also caters to individuals with mobility issues or those who require frequent monitoring, eliminating the need for many trips to a healthcare provider's office and reducing the associated time and cost burdens.

Additionally, telemedicine streamlines the process of obtaining medical devices, significantly enhancing efficiency. Traditional methods often involve multiple in-person appointments, from initial consultations to follow-up visits for device fitting and usage instructions.

Telemedicine simplifies this process by enabling virtual consultations, during which healthcare providers can assess patients, prescribe appropriate devices and provide detailed usage instructions – all in one session. This not only saves time for both patients and providers but also accelerates the initiation of treatment.

Telehealth platforms also can provide educational resources for the medical device being used, including comprehensive virtual training sessions, instructional videos and real-time support. These resources ensure that patients understand how to use their devices correctly and effectively, which is critical for achieving desired health outcomes.

For example, in our collaboration with Axena Health, we ensure patients prescribed the Leva Pelvic Health System receive thorough guidance on its use. This includes virtual consultations where healthcare providers explain how to use the system correctly, supported by real-time feedback directly from the device.

In addition to patient education, telehealth platforms facilitate ongoing patient engagement and support. Healthcare providers can monitor patients' progress remotely, offer timely advice and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans based on the data collected by the medical devices.

This continuous interaction encourages high levels of patient engagement, adherence to treatment regimens and overall satisfaction with the care received.

Ultimately, the integration of medical devices with telemedicine transforms healthcare delivery by making it more accessible, efficient and patient-centric. This combination harnesses the power of technology to bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly for those who need it the most, and ensures that patients receive high-quality care tailored to their individual needs.

Q. Please explain how the whole process works for getting a medical device prescription via telehealth.

A. The process of obtaining a medical device prescription via telehealth typically begins with the patient visiting the brand website where they may see a "button" asking them if they would like to connect with a telehealth provider. If the patient clicks on that button, they will be ported to a telehealth platform where they complete a brief questionnaire detailing their medical history and symptoms.

This is followed by an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who reviews the questionnaire, discusses symptoms and determines if the medical device is appropriate for the patient's condition. If deemed suitable, the healthcare provider writes a prescription and explains how to use the device. The prescribed device is then shipped to the patient's home, accompanied by instructional materials, virtual training and ongoing support to ensure proper usage.

Finally, the patient may have follow-up virtual consultations to monitor progress, make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan and ensure the device is working effectively.

Q. You work with Axena Health and its female pelvic health medical device, Spark Biomedical and its opioid withdrawal symptoms relief medical device, and Lucid Diagnostics and its esophageal precancer testing. Please talk a bit about how a telehealth company and a medical device manufacturer work together.

A. A telehealth company and a medical device manufacturer can collaborate by integrating the manufacturer's products into a telehealth platform, allowing patients to access and obtain prescriptions for these devices through virtual consultations with practitioners specifically trained on the medical device.

The telehealth company provides educational resources and training to patients, ensuring they understand how to use the medical devices correctly through virtual training sessions, instructional videos and real-time support. The medical devices may collect and transmit health data to the telehealth platform, enabling healthcare providers to monitor patients' conditions remotely and make informed decisions about their treatment.

Both the telehealth company and the medical device manufacturer ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, such as FDA approvals and HIPAA regulations, to protect patient safety and privacy.

For example, UpScriptHealth has worked with Axena Health to provide patients with access to the Leva Pelvic Health System through a seamless telehealth experience. Axena Health has integrated UpScriptHealth's telehealth platform directly on their website, allowing women to easily obtain prescriptions and support for the Leva System.

In addition, through a partnership with Spark Biomedical, UpScriptHealth's platform is increasing access to Sparrow Ascent, the only FDA-cleared, drug-free, non-addictive, non-invasive, wearable treatment technology for the relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms.

UpScriptHealth also has a partnership with Lucid Diagnostics to power telehealth consultations for the EsoGuard Esophageal DNA test, a commercially available diagnostic test capable of serving as a widespread screening tool for at-risk patients to mitigate risk through early detection of esophageal precancer.

As a result, more than 4,000 firefighters have now undergone esophageal precancer testing using telehealth protocols.

Q. What lessons have you learned about delivering telehealth?

A. First, effective patient engagement is crucial. Providing comprehensive educational resources, user-friendly platforms and responsive support helps patients feel confident and informed about their treatment.

Second, adhering to regulatory requirements, such as FDA approvals and HIPAA regulations, is critical for maintaining patient safety and trust. Ongoing efforts to stay compliant are necessary to protect patient information and ensure the efficacy and safety of the treatments we offer.

Finally, gathering continuous feedback from patients and healthcare providers helps us identify areas for improvement and drives innovation in our telehealth services. This feedback loop is vital for making continuous improvements and delivering high-quality care.

Follow Bill's HIT coverage on LinkedIn: Bill Siwicki
Email him: bsiwicki@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.