As per David Woroboff, Telehealth is changing the way we think about health care, but it’s not just about convenience. For example, telehealth:
Telehealth is being used to improve access to specialized care and to meet diverse patient needs.
Telehealth is being used to improve access to specialized care and to meet diverse patient needs. It is also being used to reduce costs and provide better health care outcomes. Telehealth can be used in many ways:
- Using virtual consultations for patients who do not have access to a specialist, but need one. For example, if a patient needs an appointment with a cardiologist or gastroenterologist and their local clinic does not have these specialists on staff or has no appointments available within the next three months, they could use telemedicine instead of having to wait for someone else’s appointment time slot at the hospital (or pay out-of-pocket for an emergency visit). This would allow them access sooner rather than later, which would likely save money in terms of missed work days/paychecks due to illness without having had proper treatment yet either!
There’s less need for unnecessary—and expensive—emergency services.
Telehealth can help reduce the need for emergency services.
Emergency rooms are expensive and overcrowded, so people who have non-emergency conditions often seek treatment there as a last resort. Telehealth can allow individuals to receive care from a physician without putting strain on emergency departments that aren’t equipped for long wait times or minor problems. For example, if you have a sore throat but aren’t sure if it’s an infection or just allergies, an online telemedicine visit could save time and money by allowing your doctor to determine whether or not you need antibiotics right away.
It’s helping connect people with mental health services.
Telehealth is helping connect people with mental health services.
Many people who need mental health care don’t live near a clinic or feel too intimidated by the idea of going to one. Telehealth can help people overcome these barriers, but it’s not just for those who are reluctant to seek help. It’s also beneficial for those who have difficulty leaving their home, such as those with disabilities or seniors living alone.
It allows people to access health care in rural areas.
Telehealth is a way to deliver health care in rural areas. The technology is also used to connect people with specialists in urban areas.
Telehealth is more convenient for patients and providers.
Telehealth is a convenient way to deliver care, because it allows patients to access the care they need when and where it’s most convenient for them. For example:
- A person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be able to schedule a telehealth appointment at night or on weekends, when he or she isn’t forced to miss work or other commitments.
- A patient who has recently moved can use telehealth services—like video calls with clinicians—to help establish a new primary care physician or specialist in his or her new community while he or she waits to see an established doctor in person.
- A parent with children at home could receive treatment for strep throat via telehealth rather than taking time off from work and leaving his/her children unattended during an office visit that was scheduled during normal business hours.
Conclusion
Telehealth has shown great promise in improving accessibility and convenience for patients. It also allows providers to provide better care without having to visit every patient in person, which can be especially helpful with those who live far away or have mobility issues. While some questions still remain about the effectiveness of telehealth services, they are an important step toward a more efficient health care system.
