​The field of medical informatics, propelled by the exponential growth of electronic health record (EHR) adoption, is revolutionizing healthcare delivery through the strategic use of healthcare data. One key aspect of EHR utilization is its role as a valuable resource for population health research and analytics.

EHRs enable researchers to analyze trends and patterns in disease prevalence and risk factors. By leveraging EHR data, researchers can gain insights into the association between various environmental factors and health outcomes, leading to more targeted interventions and preventive measures.

In addition to population health research, EHR data plays a crucial role in health data analytics. Such analytics allow healthcare providers to systematically integrate internal data with external evidence to drive improvements in care delivery. By aggregating data from multiple institutions, researchers can enhance the clinical value of their analyses and inform evidence-based practices.

The strategic use of EHR data in clinical informatics holds great potential to improve patient outcomes and advance the understanding of disease prevention and management.

​The American Telehealth Association (ATA) is committed to advancing telehealth services nationwide, giving everyone access to safe and affordable health care. With the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in telehealth, ATA published its AI principles. These will guide telehealth providers, system developers, and regulators on how to deploy or support the deployment of AI in health care in a trustworthy way, optimizing patient safety and treatment outcomes.

ATA grouped its AI principles by component:

1. Accountability and engagement. AI can streamline work and should be integrated into clinical decision-making. However, providers must adhere to applicable standards of care and even institute accountability mechanisms for positive overall health outcomes.

2. Transparency. Telehealth providers should disclose to patients how AI systems process, share, and store patient data.

3. Safeguards against bias. Telehealth providers should publicly provide evidence showing that their AI-powered systems are free from bias. They should further develop and implement policies to promote exposure and correction of bias in these systems.

4. Workforce education. To fully realize the power of AI, healthcare learning institutions should educate their students on the importance of integrating AI into healthcare delivery. Professional workforce development programs should also include AI training.

5. Regulatory guardrails. Federal and state policymakers should enact unified regulations governing the integration and use of AI in healthcare. This will ensure uniform compliance by AI system developers, telehealth providers, and healthcare researchers. The laws should also align with international healthcare standards and be risk-based, not to stifle innovation unjustly.

​On February 29, 2024, President Joe Biden declared the month of March as Red Cross Month, continuing a tradition that spans 80 years. This tradition originated in March 1943, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first proclamation officially designating March as Red Cross Month. This occurred during the tumultuous era of World War II, with the aim of rallying Americans to generously support the 1943 War Fund Drive, an initiative led by the Red Cross to aid soldiers on the battlefield and their families back home.

In echoing the actions of his predecessors, President Biden called upon the nation to honor the American Red Cross throughout March 2024 for its unwavering dedication to humanitarian service, both domestically and internationally. He expressed gratitude to all the staff and volunteers of the American Red Cross for their selfless commitment to their noble mission.

The American Red Cross, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to victims of disasters, military personnel, and their families, among others. The organization also provides about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply. To fulfill its mission, the American Red Cross relies heavily on volunteers and the support of the American public to fund its diverse array of initiatives.

In a May 2024 press release, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) announced that its affiliate organization, ATA Action, supports the House Ways and Means Committee’s proactive approach to telehealth. The ATA press release reported that support was for the House Ways and Means Committee extending telehealth for two years.

The extension allows many Medicare telehealth flexibilities to last until 2026. The provisions that ATA Action was particularly supportive of include allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to continue providing telehealth services. It also allows for expanding the list of Medicare providers to physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists, repealing the tele-mental health in-person criteria, and saving the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program until the 2029 calendar year, among other provisions.

According to the May 2024 ATA press release, the extension demonstrates the House Ways and Means Committee’s commitment to telehealth care. Kyle Zebley, Senior Vice President, Public Policy at the ATA and Executive Director for ATA Action, stated that the ATA would like these provisions to be permanent. She, however, added that the ATA applauded the two-year extension because it signals that the government’s bipartisan supporters will not leave Americans without access to quality, safe healthcare options. Further, the organization hopes the House Ways and Means Committee’s commitment will catalyze Congress to enact legislation.

ATA Action is a group that raises awareness of how telehealth can transform healthcare. For more information on this extension or ATA Action, please visit www.americantelemed.org/about-us/.

​Telemedicine employs modern technology to facilitate real-time remote healthcare, enabling physicians to provide medical attention to patients regardless of location. This healthcare model is gaining rapid acceptance due to its numerous benefits. Getting ready for a virtual session with a physician involves several considerations, such as location, prior interactions with the physician, and more.

Firstly, when planning a telemedicine session, it's crucial to ensure that the necessary tech gadgets are prepared. Patients should confirm that their smartphones or laptops are fully charged and have a stable internet connection. Since the session may last for an extended period, a reliable internet connection is essential for seamless interaction, particularly during video calls.

Booking a prior appointment with the medical practitioner is also an essential step. This can be accomplished by visiting the hospital portal and scheduling a telemedicine session at the most convenient time. Some physicians provide downloadable apps or links for patients to access a few minutes before the meeting.

Certain apps may require patients to input or review their symptoms before the appointment. During the session, the doctor engages with the patient in real time to discuss their symptoms. In rare cases, a physical visit to the clinic may be deemed necessary.

​AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) is an international community of about 300,000 individuals in 75 nations. The association advocates for general aviation through multifaceted initiatives to protect recreational flying privileges, equip pilots with critical skills, and enable more people to pursue their aviation aspirations.

Various AOPA resources help pilots embark on or advance their careers in aviation. AOPA’s center provides information such as finding pilot jobs, preparing for interviews, and building flight experience. Those seeking certifications can use the organization’s flight school directory to identify accredited programs and college degree options. Flight instructors can also find regulations, best practices, and career development resources and connect with other CFIs (certified flight instructors). AOPA membership further unlocks extra educational materials that empower pilots at every experience level to achieve their goals.

In addition to its resources, AOPA organizes dozens of volunteer pilot groups that partner with organizations such as the Air Care Alliance (ACA) to provide crucial transportation for medical emergencies, disaster relief, environmental projects, and educational activities. Prospective volunteers can review options on the ACA website that match their interests. Though community service through flying is deeply rewarding, pilots should also prepare appropriately by obtaining relevant experience and training, including completing AOPA’s online safety course, to conduct this vital work safely.

​The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, and one significant contributor to this transformation is the burgeoning field of telemedicine. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has witnessed unprecedented growth, becoming a pivotal player in the healthcare industry. The global market size for telemedicine, valued at $83.5 billion, is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent from 2023 to 2030.

Telemedicine, defined as the provision of virtual medical services through telecommunication technologies, spans a spectrum of applications from electronic health information delivery to remote interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. Contrary to misconceptions, telemedicine is not confined to mild cases. It serves as a valuable supplement to traditional healthcare, offering remote diagnostics, personalized therapy sessions, and continuous monitoring of vital signs.

Looking ahead to 2024, telemedicine is poised for further innovations. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are expected to play a more significant role, reducing operational costs by 30 percent and enhancing personalized treatment plans. Tele-intensive care units (Tele-ICU) will revolutionize critical care, utilizing real-time remote data monitoring to reduce mortality rates.

Integrating electronic health records (EHR) will streamline patient data access, thus fostering coordinated healthcare processes. Additionally, a heightened focus on chronic care management will empower patients to engage in preventive measures, improving adherence to treatment plans and reducing overall healthcare costs.

​Peter Killcommons graduated from the City College of New York, where he studied medicine. As the founder and CEO of Medweb, Peter "Pete" Killcommons runs the telemedicine, radiology, and disaster response divisions and is also in charge of their organized philanthropy program. He is also dedicated to community service and has a keen interest in solar power.

Solar energy is a renewable source of power that has many important benefits for rural areas in different parts of the world. As opposed to previous energy sources like coal, solar power is a clean energy source that does not impact the environment negatively. Some of the benefits of solar energy are listed below.

1. Renewable source of clean energy: The pollution level in rural communities drops when there is a renewable power plant in the vicinity. This allows the residents to enjoy a lower illness rate across the community.

2. Increase in commercial and industrial activities: When clean and renewable energy in a rural community attracts economic progress. This results from how cheap power becomes when multiple renewable energy sources exist in a community. It also helps to sprout many prospective rural businesses with the potential to build industries.

3. Reduction of water usage: The amount of water needed for the operation of coal and nuclear-based energy sources is enormous compared to the amount that solar power consumes. Therefore, solar energy can reduce water usage on power in rural communities, leading to an abundance of water needed for agriculture or irrigation.

​​Peter Killcommons is the founder and CEO of MedWeb in San Francisco, CA. He is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Telemedicine Association. With over 30 years of professional experience, Peter "Pete" Killcommons understands the various strategies facilities can implement to secure their data.

Healthcare facilities should implement data access controls to protect patient health information (PHI). Access controls ensure only authorized personnel and suitable applications interact with protected data. Multi-factor authentication, such as passwords, key cards, and biometrics, is a common feature that effectively restricts access to unauthorized parties.

Data usage controls can also secure healthcare information. These controls identify and flag malicious activities, blocking them in real time. They can mitigate attempts by restricting parties from uploading data online, sending unauthorized emails, and printing or copying information to external storage devices.

Besides, facilities can encrypt their data in motion and at rest. Encryption involves changing the data format to ensure unauthorized personnel cannot decipher it even if they gain access to PHI. Deciphering requires a special key that is only available to authorized parties. Data encryption ensures uninterrupted information sharing within the facility during suspected data breaches. Experts in healthcare information technology can recommend an appropriate encryption method after assessing the facility’s workflow and information needs.

​Peter “Pete” Killcommons serves as the head of Medweb, a provider of medical software and devices in San Francisco. One crucial aspect of Peter Killcommons’ services is telehealth, which is the use of technology to deliver diagnoses, treatment information, and information to patients outside the office.

The Health Resources & Services Administration operates several research programs to improve the provision and quality of telehealth services, particularly to people who are underserved by brick-and-mortar facilities in rural, frontier, and urban settings. The agency sponsors eight of these initiatives, including:

The Telehealth Research Center Program (TRC), which focuses on training providers, educating the public, and spreading research findings. The TRC accomplishes its mission through individual meetings, webinars, and conference presentations.

The Telehealth Network Grant Program (TNGP) enhances the applicability of research to medical practices. Currently, the TNGP promotes using provider networks to bolster emergency services to rural residents and help them benefit from consultations around the clock.

Also focused outside of cities is the Telehealth Centers of Excellence (COE) effort. COE works with high-performing telehealth entities on insurance reimbursement in high poverty areas with a prevalence of chronic illnesses.

Finally, the Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program (EBTNP) strengthens networks of telehealth providers. It leverages the information collected by these organizations to determine best practices backed by research results.