Telehealth is a term that refers to the practice of receiving healthcare services remotely via a variety of communication technologies. Telehealth is supported by digital technologies, which allow us to imagine visits to doctors as house calls without having to travel. The concept of virtual visits has existed for decades, and telemedicine has been implemented in various specialties and service lines, ranging from primary care to radiology and cardiology to orthopedics.
Telehealth advantages primary care providers and specialized providers, enabling them to expand their reach by treating patients anywhere on the Internet. In the past, telehealth systems have been initiated due to the high cost of large kiosks and sophisticated digital technology.
Telehealth is also known as:
- Telecare
- Telemedicine
- Virtual well-being
Telehealth’s benefits
Telehealth services, such as Private Medical, offer numerous benefits to individuals in a variety of situations and with a range of health needs.
Convenience
Finding time to visit the doctor’s office can be extremely difficult for many Americans, particularly those forced to take unpaid leave. Transportation to and from the clinic and long waiting delays often take longer than the visit, making the whole process particularly demanding and demanding to plan. Last-minute cancellations frequently occur due to the inconvenience of in-person visits, resulting in fewer doctor appointments.
With telehealth, patients only need to schedule sufficient time to communicate with their healthcare provider — there is no need to budget for excessive travel or waiting room delays. When combined with a Medical answering service for scheduling and remote bloodwork, this predictability allows patients to work less and still receive high-quality health care.
Providers can see a more significant number of patients
When people discuss the advantages of telehealth services for patients, they frequently mention how convenient they are for patients who live a long distance from their healthcare providers. However, there is a tangential benefit for healthcare providers.
Providers can see patients who live a long distance away more frequently using telehealth services. They can provide improved continuity of care as a result of the increased frequency of appointments.
Cost-Effectiveness
While telehealth prices vary according to the medical department, they are generally significantly lower than the costs of personal visits. Thanks to Practice Management Software, telehealth allows for avoiding scheduling blunders, staffing challenges, and other common clinical roadblocks, leading to substantial cost savings. In general, lower provider costs translate into lower patient costs, particularly for initial consultations. Additionally, telehealth enables patients to avoid the costs associated with transportation to treatment facilities, such as gas, parking, and bus fare.
Doctors can stay at home
Doctors and therapists can now safely treat patients from their home offices using cybersecurity tools such as virtual private networks. Additionally, this access enables physicians and patients to communicate after hours and on weekends.
Where can you find a large number of people who are sick? At the doctor’s office, of course. While everybody is trying to prevent one patient from infecting another, it is always possible, especially in crowded waiting rooms. You can get the care you want while avoiding exposure and the risk of transmitting your illness to others by staying at home.
Telehealth may also benefit from reducing hospitalization among patients receiving telehealth. A 2015 study of patients with cardiovascular events found that the group that participated in telehealth services had a 31 percent lower admission rate throughout the year.
Remote monitoring increases patient engagement
Production has led hospitals and health systems to highlight new ways of interacting with their patients to encourage self-care. A proactive approach to patient care involves clinicians who teach patients how to take care of themselves during their clinical visits.
With the increase in chronic health conditions, medical providers can improve results while reducing costs by using telehealth to monitor remotely. Today telehealth is used to report patient metrics by a remote patient monitoring device from the patient’s home. On the other hand, remote teams serve as coaches and counselors on their health journey. This can be a convenient solution for both medical providers and their patients. Learn more with the infographic below:
Six Ways To Improve Patient Engagement, provided by Specialdocs Consultants, an organization specializing in concierge healthcare and chronic pain management