URAC, the country’s pre-eminent health care accrediting body and the first and largest international telehealth accreditor, just announced it has joined the International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH) as a corporate sponsor. ISfTeH is an organization dedicated to facilitating the international dissemination of knowledge and experience in telemedicine and eHealth and providing access to recognized experts in the field worldwide.
“If COVID-19 has done anything, it has reinforced how important telemedicine and telehealth have become as valuable health care tools for both patients and providers,” says Jeff Carr, VP, Business Development at URAC. “Our decision to join ISfTeH is part of URAC’s commitment to expanding our international digital health initiatives,” Carr added. “We applaud the important work they are doing today and look forward to being active partners in the work to come.”
While telehealth usage had been inching upward for years, COVID-19 has been a major accelerant for its adoption in recent months, thought leaders said at a MWAN Events webinar, “Telehealth Today: Politics and Innovation Converge” on July 29, 2020. You can watch the webinar here.
URAC launched its international telehealth accreditation earlier this year and recently signed its first international client in Egypt.
URAC has been active of late in emerging health care markets in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Israel. “A new generation is distinguishing themselves with innovation and engagement in bringing the very best health care to their world,” noted URAC CEO and President Shawn Griffin. “URAC International is engaging with these thought leaders and their organizations helping to lead the way for this health care transformation.”
URAC’s Telehealth Accreditation Program is a part of its broader digital health initiative, which also includes Health Website, Remote Patient Monitoring and Telehealth Support Services recognition.