You probably video chat or FaceTime your friends and family but, what about your healthcare provider? The adoption of telehealth in healthcare systems around the globe is making this an increasingly common occurrence—especially during our current global pandemic. In the following post, we outline what telehealth entails, its vast benefits, and its place in the future!
Defining Telehealth
Telehealth is the term used to describe healthcare services that incorporate telecommunication technologies to provide remote care to patients. Unlike telemedicine, this type of virtual healthcare extends beyond providing patient consultations. It includes remote medical education and planning or administrative meetings as well. There are limitations, though. Telehealth services may not be beneficial in cases where in-depth examinations, medical testing, or surgery are required.
The method by which a physician carries out their telehealth services may vary. Healthcare professionals may use video conferencing tools, media streaming, phone calls, emails, or a combination of these to provide care to patients safely and efficiently.
Telehealth Benefits
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- Increases Healthcare Access
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In many rural and impoverished communities, there is a lack of available healthcare. Individuals in these areas have two choices, travel to find medical care or receive care at a local clinic. The issue with traveling is that many individuals may not have a vehicle or money to pay for the trip. The problem with clinics is that they are often expensive and provide only minimal care. Telehealth allows these individuals to receive healthcare without leaving home. It also allows them to save on money and see a specialist should they need one. For rural communities, telehealth is a promising solution to a genuine problem.
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- Facilitates Appointments
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Telehealth appointments allow individuals to avoid the hassles that come with attending an in-person medical appointment. For some, finding transportation and parking can be difficult. For others, it is the long wait time that is a nuisance. Telehealth eliminates these items from the equation, making patient appointments more targeted and shorter.
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- Improves Patient Satisfaction
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Health systems are reporting high scores when it comes to patient satisfaction following telehealth appointments. This satisfaction is linked to the convenience that these remote services provide. Many physicians feel that telemedicine is an excellent tool for follow-up or routine appointments that require monitoring and adjustments rather than a complete diagnosis. The efficiency of telehealth appointments also allows for a greater patient turnover rate. This means physicians can provide care to a broader audience in less time. Some may be concerned that this could affect the quality of care, but most patients who attend telehealth appointments report that the quality of care remains the same as in-person appointments. Perhaps a more interesting note is that about 25% of individuals who attended a telemedicine appointment felt they received care that was of greater quality.
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- Saves Money
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Telehealth appointments can help all parties involved save on finances. Patients don’t have to worry about taking time off work or paying for childcare. They can choose a time that is convenient for them and, in any location, receive the medical attention they need. On a similar note, telehealth appointments bear much lower costs than in-person visits. Physicians and the private practices or hospitals they work at save too. Because telehealth is more convenient, individuals are less likely to cancel, limiting the number of no-show patients.
Telehealth in the Future
Although telehealth has been on the healthcare industry’s radar for some time, COVID-19 has put it on the map. Social distancing guidelines have forced hospitals and private practices to implement new methods of providing healthcare, many of which include the use of technology to provide care to hold appointments remotely. The benefits of telehealth have always made a case for its implementation, but it has not been testing to the scale it is now.
Telehealth’s current success, combined with the continuation of social distancing and fatigued medical systems, indicates that telehealth will be a mainstay for some time. This is supported by the projection that in the next six years, virtual health is expected to be worth $95 billion.
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It sure was nice that you mentioned that telehealth services could allow you to choose a convenient time for your medical checkup. My 15-year old son has been experiencing the signs of urinary tract infection for the past four days. He has been complaining about burning sensations while urinating. I want to ensure that he will get a proper checkup even after my working hours, so your tips are helpful.
It made sense to me when you said that you won’t have to worry about paying for childcare when you consider booking a telehealth appointment. As you said, you can choose a convenient place and time for the consultation. This is what I will consider because my fever has been on and off since the other night, and I have been lethargic. Since I have to consider my three-year-old, your tips are helpful.
Telemedicine platform for doctors and patients very important in these days. I want to suggest everyone get telehospitalist services that meet your hospital needs.
You made an interesting point when you talked about how telehealth allows people to gain access to specialists that when they live in impoverished and rural areas. As far as I know, there are some health conditions that make it too risky for people to travel long distances. It’s great that virtual healthcare systems allow these people to get the care they need.
Hey Henry! Glad you found this information helpful, and thanks for letting us know what stood out to you. It is pretty incredible how useful telehealth can be in making healthcare accessible to so many patients living in rural areas. Oh the joys of technology!
Naticha,
Thanks for your interest in AMO. We have sent your email to our advising team. Someone should be in touch shortly to discuss the possibility of scheduling a July experience.
Telehealth is majorly helping many people in rural areas and most importantly in areas where people lack the access to healthcare facilities. With the increasing number of affected people during this COVID-19 pandemic which involves zero-contact with each other, telehealth is greatly helping and it is mandatory that people gain access to telehealth facilities too.