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How Physicians Can Travel the World and Still Maintain a Medical Practice Using a VPN and Telemedicine
Traveling around the world is a dream for many people, but for physicians, it can be challenging to maintain their medical practice while traveling. However, with the help of VPN and a telemedicine medicine provider, it is possible for physicians to travel and still see patients remotely. In this article, we will discuss how a physician can travel around the world and still maintain a part-time or possibly even a full-time medical practice by seeing patients through telemedicine from wherever they are using a VPN to access their electronic medical records system from international destinations. We will also cover the requirements of having a reliable and fast internet connection to enable live video chat and the use of a VPN to emulate being in the United States.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is a VPN?
- Benefits of VPN for Physicians
- How to Use a VPN for Telemedicine
- Requirements for Telemedicine
- Reliable and Fast Internet Connection
- VPN for Emulating the US Location
- How to Access Electronic Medical Records System with a VPN
- HIPAA Compliance and VPN
- Tips for Secure VPN Usage
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Introduction
Physicians often find it challenging to travel the world while maintaining their medical practice. However, with the advancement of technology, it has become possible to travel and work at the same time. One such technology is telemedicine, which allows physicians to see their patients remotely. By using VPN, physicians can access their electronic medical records system from international destinations securely. This has always been a dream of mine however the nature of our practice requires that I be present, especially for procedure based visits. In this article, we will explore how physicians can use a VPN and a telemedicine provider to maintain their medical practice while traveling.
What is a VPN?
VPN or Virtual Private Network is a technology that allows users to access the internet securely and privately. When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted, and your IP address is masked, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activities. VPN also allows you to access geo-restricted content and websites that may be blocked in your region. Most electronic health records systems will restrict or down right prohibit anyone from logging into their system from outside the country. This is true with our system, AthenaHealth. Some EMRs will allow international access but may restrict some functions. The following will, at the time of this writing, allow international access.
Epic Systems – this system allows international access to users, but the availability of certain features may vary based on the user’s location.
Cerner Corporation – Cerner offers global access to their EMR system, but again, certain features may not be available in certain regions.
Allscripts – Allscripts also offers international access to their system, but the features may be restricted based on the user’s location.
Benefits of VPN for Physicians
VPNs are beneficial for physicians who travel internationally as they can access their electronic medical records system securely from anywhere in the world. This means that physicians can review patient records, prescribe medications, and communicate with patients from remote locations. VPN also provides an added layer of security, protecting sensitive patient data from cyber threats.
How to Use a VPN for Telemedicine
To use VPN for telemedicine, physicians need to connect to a VPN server located in the United States. This allows them to emulate being in the US and access their electronic medical records system securely. Once connected to the VPN, physicians can use telemedicine software to communicate with patients remotely.
Requirements for Telemedicine
Telemedicine requires a reliable and fast internet connection to enable live video chat with patients. This means that physicians must have access to high-speed internet with low latency. They also need a reliable telemedicine software that provides secure and stable video conferencing capabilities. We have not experienced any significant degradation in the speed of our internet connection with the use of our VPN.
Reliable and Fast Internet Connection
Telemedicine requires a reliable and fast internet connection to ensure that patients and physicians can communicate effectively. This is especially important when seeing patients through telemedicine as the quality of the video stream can be affected by internet connectivity issues. Make sure to check with your destination’s internet capabilities before booking your trip.
VPN for Emulating the US Location
To access electronic medical records system securely from international destinations, physicians need to use VPN to emulate being in the United States. This allows them to bypass geo-restrictions and access their electronic medical records system from anywhere in the world securely. By connecting to a VPN server located in the United States, physicians can also ensure that their internet traffic is encrypted and protected from cyber attacks.
How to Access Electronic Medical Records System with a VPN
To access the electronic medical records system with a VPN, physicians need to choose a VPN service that provides high-speed internet connectivity and is HIPAA compliant. They also need to ensure that the VPN service has servers located in the United States. Once they have selected a VPN service, they need to install the VPN software on their device and connect to a VPN server located in the United States. After successfully connecting to the VPN server, physicians can access their electronic medical records system securely from anywhere in the world.
HIPAA Compliance and VPN
HIPAA or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is a set of regulations that protect patients’ sensitive health information. When using VPN for telemedicine, it is essential to ensure that the VPN service is HIPAA compliant. HIPAA-compliant VPN services provide additional security features to ensure that patient data is protected from cyber threats. Please be sure you check if your service is hipaa compliant as such certification can change at any time.
Tips for Secure VPN Usage
To ensure secure VPN usage, physicians should follow these tips:
- Choose a reputable VPN service provider – inquire on their websit about HIPAA compliance
- Connect to a VPN server located in the United States.
- Avoid accessing sensitive patient data on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Ensure that your telemedicine software is also secure and HIPAA compliant.
My Experience
I have been using AthenaHealth for our practice’s electronic health record. Previously I tried to login from Cancun, Mexico but quickly found out I could not. AthenaHealth blocks all users from outside the United States from logging in. I signed up for SurfShark VPN and was immediately able to login. After joining and installing the software on my Macbook Pro, I choose a server in San Jose, CA to log into. I then tried to log into AthenaHealth and was immediately able to access all of our records. I then used Doxy.me which is our chosen telemedicine provider. Together the two worked very well as we had a very fast connection at the resort in Cancun.
Conclusion
In conclusion, VPN and telemedicine have made it possible for physicians to travel the world and still maintain a part-time medical practice. By using VPN to access their electronic medical records system from international destinations, physicians can communicate with patients remotely, prescribe medications, and review patient records securely. However, it is essential to ensure that the VPN service is HIPAA compliant and that physicians have a reliable and fast internet connection to enable live video chat with patients.
FAQs
- Can VPN be used for telemedicine? Yes, VPN can be used for telemedicine to access the electronic medical records system securely from anywhere in the world.
- Is it necessary to use a VPN for telemedicine? It is not necessary to use a VPN for telemedicine, but it provides an added layer of security for sensitive patient data.
- What is HIPAA compliance, and why is it important? HIPAA compliance is a set of regulations that protect patients’ sensitive health information. It is important to ensure that the VPN service is HIPAA compliant to protect patient data from cyber threats.
- What are the requirements for telemedicine? Telemedicine requires a reliable and fast internet connection and a secure telemedicine software that provides stable video conferencing capabilities.
- Can telemedicine be used for all medical conditions? Telemedicine can be used for most non-emergency medical conditions, but it is not suitable for emergencies or conditions that require in-person examinations.
Rainier Guiang, MD is a board certified specialist in interventional pain management and practices in southern California at University Pain Consultants.
