Have you ever thought why telehealth is important or how does it improve patient care?
Telehealth—the delivery of healthcare services through digital forms of communication—is a rapidly evolving industry. It enables patients to easily access medical services without visiting healthcare facilities.
Telehealth bridges fundamental gaps in traditional healthcare delivery by providing medical services to people living in rural or underserved areas. For healthcare workers, telehealth expands the ability to monitor and manage patients, leading to improved health status.
This blogpost will discuss several advantages of telehealth as seen from the patient and provider perspectives. Stay tuned to find out how telehealth can improve patient care.
Telehealth has revolutionized healthcare, making it more accessible, affordable, and convenient for patients. With the ability to connect with healthcare providers remotely, individuals can receive care from the comfort of their own homes.
Like telemedicine, telehealth benefits far outweigh its cost. Moreover, its advantages are not just confined to providing quality care remotely, but also to improving administrative and educational aspects.
As Dr. Rahul Sharma said in an interview published on Healthcare IT news,
Here are some of the telehealth benefits for patients:
1. Convenient Access To Healthcare
Telehealth can be used by patients from the comfort of their homes, hence avoiding the need to travel for physical appointments. It simplifies regular consultation for chronic illnesses and reduces the need to commute for minor injuries, especially for those from rural or remote areas.
2. Cost Savings
Telehealth lowers costs for patients as compared to face-to-face consultations, which require funds for transport, parking, and, in some cases, accommodation. Also, the cost of online consultations is relatively cheaper than clinical and office visits, making healthcare budget-friendly. There are several EHR software, such as SimplePractice, that offer telehealth features at affordable costs.
3. Reduced Waiting Times
According to a 2022 survey of 15 metropolitan areas, the average waiting time to get a physician’s appointment is 26 days. Telehealth offers a significant advantage by reducing this waiting time compared to the traditional system. Patients appreciate the ability to get appointments faster, with flexible scheduling options.
4. Online Prescriptions And Medical Certificates
Telehealth services make it easy to receive prescriptions and issue medical certificates. Many telehealth providers allow patients to receive the necessary documentation online, and patients can also get their medications delivered to their homes.
5. Improved Health Outcomes
Telehealth helps manage chronic diseases and mental disorders efficiently as it enables patients to receive immediate consultation from a healthcare provider. It allows for early intervention if complications arise, ensuring quality care.
6. Increased Patient Engagement
Telehealth encourages patients to take control of their health by being more actively involved in their care. As patients can readily obtain health information and connect with providers, they become more involved in their care, improving health literacy and outcomes.
7. Health Parity
Telehealth enhances health equity of patients with disabilities and the elderly by granting them equal access to healthcare services.
Research shows that more than 60 million Americans live in rural areas, where a majority of rural residents are older and have poor access to healthcare facilities. Thus, people must travel about 20 miles farther to access common healthcare services. Therefore, telehealth plays a major role in getting rid of inequity in the delivery of basic health care to all individuals, regardless of circumstances.
Unlike Telemedicine benefits, telehealth advantages extend beyond remote care. Medical providers benefit greatly from telehealth, incorporating it to improve workflows and boost job satisfaction. Here are a few noteworthy telehealth benefits for providers:
1. Improved Access To Patients
Telehealth improves access to healthcare in both facilities and remote regions, ensuring more patients receive care. It also standardizes the management of multiple prescriptions for the same condition and the process of writing medical certificates, saving time and reducing the need for physical contact.
2. Resource Optimization
Providers can minimize administrative tasks like processing forms and booking appointments using telehealth. This results in healthcare professionals spending adequate time with patients, improving overall efficiency and service delivery.
3. Flexibility In Scheduling
Telehealth allows providers to offer greater access to patient care through flexible appointments, including evenings and weekends, outside of standard working hours.
4. Enhanced Work-Life Balance
Perhaps the most important advantage that highlights why telehealth is important for providers is the work-life balance and reduced risk of professional burnout. It enables healthcare professionals to work remotely, having better control over their time.
5. Better Provider Collaboration
Healthcare providers can consult with specialists and other healthcare workers through telehealth platforms. It results in effective and efficient delivery of healthcare plans, leading to enhanced patient care plans.
6. Minimized Exposure To Infections
Telehealth also significantly reduces the chances of transmitting diseases during public health crises such as COVID-19. Through virtual consultations, the healthcare industry can continue to provide services while observing set measures to contain the contraction of infectious diseases.
7. Reduced No-Show Rates
Scheduling telehealth appointments is more flexible in nature, improving attendance and the rate of no-shows. Such a scheduling flexibility makes it easier for patients to honor their appointments and consequently meet their health needs.
Thus, telehealth improves the quality of care when implemented by providers and enhances their efficiency and professional satisfaction.
There are several telehealth examples and use cases. Teladoc Health, a renowned telehealth firm in America, is a good case-study of effective telehealth integration. Teladoc has been instrumental in expanding telehealth and health care services to millions of clients, especially amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
Through its virtual telemedicine service, Teladoc has made it possible for patients to visit doctors and get much-needed healthcare services even during lockdowns. It created a major impact on patient care, providing them with advice, recommendations, and even professional treatments, without physical contact. Thus, Teladoc’s telehealth services enabled healthcare professionals to enhance the efficient use of resources and minimized provider workload.
This case study highlights that utilizing telehealth can solve essential healthcare problems through effective, cheap, and efficient solutions.
Telehealth has revolutionized modern health care and closed gaps to guarantee quality health care to every individual. Implementing it brings many advantages to the patients and clinicians. It includes easy access, reduced costs, better health and satisfaction with work-life balance.
As telehealth continues to evolve, it holds high potential to transform healthcare delivery. To explore telehealth solutions and find the right software for your practice, visit Software Finder and discover how we can support your journey towards enhanced healthcare.
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