Telemedicine including telepathology services is proof that healthcare goes hand in hand w/ tech advancements. Here’s how telemedicine is improving healthcare.
Did you know that telemedicine is worth 29.6 billion and projected to increase to by 19% by 2022?
Telemedicine is a fast-growing technology. But what is it? We’re going to examine what telemedicine is and how it’s helping healthcare. We will look at how it eliminates barriers for both patients and physicians!
Want to learn more? Keep reading!
Telemedicine Brings Healthcare to the Consumer
The services and products that have dominated telemedicine are direct-to-consumer. This is where a lot of investment has occurred, and it’s been successful. It has shifted from entrepreneurship to consolidation.
Some healthcare systems struggle to turn this technology into profit. Individual consumers have been slow to start using this model. It attracts new consumers each year who aren’t interested in other medical services.
Direct-to-consumer telehealth increases access for folks who might live in rural areas. It benefits people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to the doctor’s office. This increases the use of technology and healthcare spending.
Did you know that direct-to-consumer pediatric telemedicine reduces the amount of urgent care? A lot of parents have used the virtual healthcare available. Otherwise, they would have gone to an urgent care center.
It often saves time and is less stressful than a heading to the doctor’s office.
Self Service
Telehealth apps include workflow solutions. The next generation of products are merging and are incorporating artificial intelligence.
These apps will guide patients through a series of questions to collect data. This is usually done through a bot, but some can interpret the responses. When the patient connects with the provider, a lot of the legwork is complete.
The clinical interaction’s focused and efficient. Virtual health is moving in the direction of interacting more with a computer. Physicians do believe that self-service will be a hybrid model. There will be some human interaction.
Fewer Obstacles for Treatment
A lot of things get in the way of trying to see a doctor. Transportation is time-consuming and expensive. Some people don’t have a vehicle or can’t afford the time off work to go to an appointment.
There are responsibilities like child care and elder care. These are barriers that prevent people from getting to an appointment. In rural areas, there is a lack of specialty providers. This is another barrier.
Telemedicine helps cut these barriers. Its easy for patients to get care wherever they live.
A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment
Video visits make it easy for both the provider and the patient. They will be able to come up with a treatment plan that addresses needs not always met in an office place.
Appointments cover medication management or test results.
For those who are trying to stop smoking or manage their weight, lifestyle coaching is an option. Providers might be able to take a more holistic approach to their care.
Lower Risk of Exposure
Every time a person goes to the doctor with a contagious illness, there is a risk. It could spread to others in the office. During a video visit, a contagious person’s assessed. They aren’t exposing other people to their sickness.
Patients who don’t have an infectious condition enjoy video appointments. They don’t meet contagious people in an office.
How is Telemedicine Used to Improve People’s Health?
Let’s look at some specific examples of how telemedicine’s used to keep people healthy.
Follow-up Visits
Follow up visits are essential. For anyone with an acute condition, following up is critical for recovery. This allows the physician to verify that the diagnosis was right. They can see if the treatment is working.
Patients will be able to voice any questions or concerns and bring up new symptoms.
Barriers to treatment keep people from being able to follow up. As mentioned before, transportation or child care prevent people from making appointments. Thus, telemedicine has become a popular form of follow up.
Results for Testing
It isn’t unusual to share the results of testing and diagnostic imaging over the phone. It is more useful to share this information face-to-face. Video appointments will allow for direct communication.
Physicians can be sure that the patient understands the information. Telemedicine is an effective way to share the data.
Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are quite common. Telemedicine is an effective treatment. It’s found to be same as in-person meetings. Patients love telemedicine because it’s private and convenient.
Monitoring Medication
Patients on medication need monitoring. Those on long-term treatment should be a priority. It might not seem essential to go for an in-office visit if everything is going well.
But, a quick video check-in is a great way to make sure that side-effects are under control.
Monitoring Chronic Conditions
Americans everywhere suffer from chronic conditions. Managing them is a burden for both physicians and patients. By eliminating office visits, this eases up the load. Instead, frequent monitoring can occur. Telemedicine helps in this area.
Appointments After Surgery
People who have recently left the hospital don’t want to go in for a checkup. Thus, a video visit is useful for the patient who is still recovering from surgery. They can even get a checkup without having to leave the comfort of their home.
Telehealth is already changing the future of medicine. Patients get improved health and convenience. Physicians have flexibility and a new revenue source. This is a positive outcome for the entire health system.
Want to learn more about telehealth? Check out this guide we wrote about digital pathology.
Contact Us Today
We hope you found this article helpful. Telemedicine is the way of the future for health care. It will help cut barriers for health care and also provide efficient ways to follow up with patients.
Want to learn more? Contact us today! We would love to chat with you.
