The pandemic may have disrupted our lives but it also brought some surprising healthcare innovations. One of the most exciting developments has been the rise of telehealth, i.e. telemedicine and virtual care.
Many providers think that covid pandemic is the time when telemedicine took the toil. This is because when they ask when telemedicine was invented? The Pandemic is the common response they get. However, it is not true.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, telehealth patient volumes have surged between 50 to 175 times, as per a recent McKinsey & Co. report. However, the debut is still in the late 1960s. This remarkable surge in Covid telehealth highlights virtual services’ potential to transform patient engagement, access, quality, and healthcare systems.
Who knew that a global health crisis could also be the catalyst for positive change? It’s almost like finding a silver lining in a thunderstorm or a ray of sunshine through the pile of medical bills.
The Power of Healthcare Going Online
For people who have an aversion to long waitings at hospitals and clinics, Telemedicine innovation and virtual care are saviors to them. The notion involves using telecommunication technology, like video calls or mobile apps, to remotely connect healthcare providers with their patients.
Moreover, telemedicine encompasses all types of remote healthcare services you can offer your patients without them seeing you in person. It’s time to say goodbye to long queues outside your clinics and take care of your patients from the comfort of your room. But hold, virtual care and telemedicine aren’t just about convenience. They can potentially improve the quality of care, reduce healthcare costs, and increase access to healthcare services.
As the healthcare industry continues to innovate, telemedicine and virtual care are poised to transform the way we see healthcare, and in this current era, nothing can be more valuable.
Telemedicine and Virtual Care Bridging the Gaps
Moving further, Let’s talk about the benefits of telemedicine and virtual care with the rise of telehealth.
Do you know what they say? An apple a day keeps the doctor away! But with telemedicine and virtual care, the doctor is already just a video call away!
The use of Telemedicine and virtual care have revolutionized the healthcare industry, making healthcare more accessible, convenient, and effective for both providers and patients. It allows for remote consultations, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. This eventually results in less time spent traveling for appointments, less exposure to contagious diseases, and fewer resources used. But virtual care isn’t just limited to video consultations. It includes remote monitoring and mobile health applications that allow patients to track their health and receive real-time provider feedback.
This advancement has also helped providers keep track of their patient’s health without having to see them in person, and patients are now receiving guidance and support online, anytime and anywhere.
When talking about these developments, healthcare providers often forget how affordable both telemedicine and virtual care are.
Are you ready to have a TED talk about it? Let’s begin . . .
Telehealth has emerged as a more wallet-friendly alternative to traditional medical care. As per several studies, virtual appointments via telehealth typically range from $40 to $50, compared to the hefty $176 price tag for in-person visits. These telephonic follow-ups are cost-effective and efficient for patients, with no added charges compared to in-house or primary care.
This particular pro of global telemedicine can be advantageous for patients facing barriers to in-office visits worldwide, such as transportation or financial issues.
Telehealth and Patient Engagement
As a healthcare provider, you might dread the thought of remote consultations. I mean, you guys love head-to-toe checkups, but with the growth of Telemedicine and virtual care, you need to learn to embrace the power of online/remote visits.
Sure, it’s not quite the same as face-to-face interaction, but it does have its perks. For starters, you no longer have to worry about catching a cold from your patients. And let’s be honest, none of your patients enjoys sitting in a waiting room for hours and hours. This is where telehealth comes to help.
Patients can now check in from the comfort of their homes, and you can even mail them reminders to take their medication or attend their appointments.
Tell us yourself, was the healthcare industry ever this peaceful? This is why we say telehealth has made patient-provider engagement better than ever before.
The Future of Telemedicine and Virtual Care
The future of healthcare delivery is changing, and virtual care and telemedicine’s impact on healthcare is at the forefront of this transformation. The fact that 62% of patients prefer remote consultations is a testament to the benefits of telehealth. With the continued growth of telemedicine, patients can now receive medical care from the comfort of their own homes.
From teleconsultations to remote patient monitoring, telehealth can offer immense potential to empower patients and improve their health outcomes.
Wrapping Up
As healthcare providers, you must adopt this new era of healthcare delivery and continue to prioritize patient safety, confidentiality, and quality care with the rise of telehealth. Leveraging the full potential of this technology, you can create more equitable, patient-centric, and sustainable healthcare for the future.
