Benefits of Telemedicine in a Time of Crises
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has propelled telemedicine forward much faster than anyone has anticipated. With social distancing the major focus of COVID-19 prevention, it makes sense. The following information will identify why telemedicine has become the saving grace when it comes to seeking medical care for a virus that has taken over the world.
About Telemedicine
Telemedicine connects people to health care services through videoconferencing. This increases access to physicians and specialists, ensuring patients receive quality medical care when they need it.
Telemedicine has been around for a while, but recently it has increased in popularity.
By 2025, the telehealth market is expected to exceed $64.1 billion in the U.S. One of the reasons for the increase in telemedicine is because it's available. In 2017, 61.2% of hospitals rolled out remote patient monitoring services. In 2018, a survey found that 25% of Americans have used telehealth. The annual growth rate of telemedicine is 18.4% through 2020.
More people are using telemedicine every year because there are many benefits of it over in-person doctor's visits, especially during a crisis, such as COVID-19. Understanding those benefits explains why it is now in high demand.
Improved Quality of Care
Anyone who has been to doctor's offices or hospitals recently knows how distracting it is for patients and doctors. COVID-19 anxieties have caused people to be pulled in many different directions, and that has decreased quality of care. Telemedicine is one way that healthcare has been able to improve the quality of care that is being offered in community medical centers.
Telemedicine offers a more patient-centered approach. In surveys, patients report quality of care is much better with telemedicine vs. traditional means. This is likely due to the doctor focusing on what the patient is saying during the appointment rather than being busy taking vitals, listening to the heart, lungs, etc. Doctors are also not interrupted when providing care over video conferencing because they are in a room with no distractions.
Greater Access to Medical Care
In many cities across the country, people need to wait for weeks before they can see a doctor because there is a shortage. With telemedicine, there are more doctors available to see patients. Instead of being restricted to a certain area, patients
can move beyond it to seek the medical care they need much sooner than they can get it in their community.
This is highly important during times of crises. People suffering from COVID-19 may end up with life-threatening complications, and time is of essence in identifying those complications. Telemedicine puts people in front of doctors quickly, so they know if they should seek emergency medical attention.
Round-the-Clock Care
Time of access is also another benefit. Most virtual clinics provide care to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Actually, 19% of health system respondents said that the top benefit of telemedicine is round-the-clock care. This means if someone wakes up in the middle of the night with a high fever and dry cough (typical COVID-19 symptoms) , they can seek medical care in just a few minutes with telemedicine. While they may not be able to get treatment until the pharmacies open in the morning, they would at least know if they should seek emergency care or wait it out until they can get medication.
No Traveling
Patients do not have to travel for telemedicine. They don't have to deal with traffic when they are sick, they don't have to find a parking spot, and then don't have to drive back home. This is why 21% of the patients who were surveyed said their top benefit of telemedicine was not having to drive to a doctor's appointment.
Staying at Home
In relation to not having to travel, staying at home while sick is another great benefit of telemedicine. No one wants to leave the comfort of their bed or couch when they are sick, especially with flu-like symptoms as is common with COVID-19. Being able to speak to a doctor lying down with a phone, tablet or laptop can be such a relief.
No Waiting Room
With telemedicine, there is no need to wait in a waiting room. This has two benefits: COVID-19 patients do not have to sit in the waiting room and infect others, and well patients don't become infected by those who are ill. In times of crisis, such as with the COVID-19, this can keep the spreading of viruses at a minimum.
People More Likely to Seek Medical Care
Many people will not seek medical care because they don't have the time or want to make the time. With telemedicine, they can speak to a doctor at work in their office at any time. There's no need to take time away from the office.
Those who are still working during COVID-19 will be relieved they don't have to take time away from work unnecessarily. After speaking to a doctor online, they will feel better about whether or not they should be at work versus taking a chance of spreading the virus.
Better for Parents of Small Children
Usually, parents who become ill have to bring their children to the doctor's office, which risks their health, especially during a crisis. Parents don't have to worry about that with telemedicine because they can seek medical care without going into the clinic.
Another benefit for parents of small children is that they don't have to bring their children in when they are sick. Bringing children into the doctor's office when they are sick can be quite a challenge because they don't feel well. It's much easier for parents to simply log into the telemedicine platform for treatment.
Lower Costs
Since there isn't overhead with an office and supplies, telemedicine costs are usually much cheaper than going to a medical center. Overhead costs are not the only reason there are lower costs for telemedicine services, it's also because of remote analysis, monitoring services, and electronic data storage. Telemedicine also reduces unnecessary non-urgent ER visits. According to the American Hospital Association, telemedicine programs saved 11% in costs and tripled ROI for investors.
Covered by Many Insurance Providers
While telemedicine is not covered by all insurance providers, 34 states and the District of Columbia require that private insurers cover telehealth. Many people do not pay for their telemedicine visits or have a low-cost co-pay.
Medicare and Medicaid cover at least some types of telemedicine for those who qualified for those government-funded health plans.
Freedom to Choose a Provider
With so many providers available with telemedicine, patients can review ratings and research the doctors they decide to use for their medical care. This is not the case for doctors in local areas because there is usually a limited supply of doctors so patients are stuck choosing whoever is available.
Easy Access to Medical Records
Since everything is done electronically, people have their medical records available by logging into their telemedicine system. This can be highly convenient when they need to see a doctor in person and need information from their virtual doctor visits OR if they become hospitalized due a COVID-19 diagnosis and complications such as pneumonia and those doctors need information from the online doctor.
Medical Access for People in Rural Areas
Many rural areas do not have access to healthcare within many miles. Telemedicine makes medical care possible for those who live in rural areas. This means they do not have to risk their health because they aren't able to make it to the doctor.
Secure and Confidential
Telemedicine systems have been developed with the highest security technologies. This means patients do not have to worry about their health information being compromised or anyone being able to hear what they are saying to the doctor. As long as the patient is in a private setting when consulting with the doctor, there is no reason to think anyone else knows what is being discussed.
Variety of Specialties
Telemedicine is available for many different specialties now, such as urgent care, dermatology, therapy, psychiatry, etc. This means that it's not only for people who are ill but for individuals who are suffering from certain medical or mental health conditions as well.
In regards to a crisis such as the COVID-19, specialties such as psychiatry or mental health can be important. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns can be a byproduct of the worldwide virus, and they need to be treated as well. Seeking mental health care during a crisis can be difficult and take time, unless people use telemedicine.
Easy Second Opinions
Many patients do not seek second opinions because they don't want to go through the trouble of setting up an appointment, waiting for that appointment and then going to another doctor's office. With telemedicine, patients can make an appointment the same day and visit with the doctor from the comfort of their home. By speaking to a second doctor, they can feel better about the diagnosis they received and follow through with whatever treatment is recommended.
Avoid High Risk Areas
Before people can receive the COVID-19 test, they must be screened according to the guidelines set forth by the CDC. Those who pass the screening will receive the test. The screening can be performed via telemedicine, as it's just a series of questions. Those who pass the screening can then go to a testing site in their community.
Lower Stress Levels for Seniors
Many seniors become stressed when they have to go to a medical appointment because they have to get themselves ready, get into a vehicle, and then make their way to the office. Those with limited mobility are often exhausted by the time they see their doctor, which results inelevated blood pressures and high heart rates. They also can't communicate as effectively because they are so stressed. Telemedicine helps seniors receive medical care in the comfort of their home when they are less stressed. This means they can effectively communicate how they are feeling, which leads to better healthcare outcomes.
Since COVID-19 is hardest on seniors, it's good to have an option in which they don't have to leave the house to speak to a doctor about any symptoms they may be experiencing. Only if the online doctor says to get the test does the senior have to follow up with a doctor in person.
Better Flexibility with Appointments
Most doctor's offices close at 5:00 PM, but telemedicine is open 24 hours a day. This means people can receive care after hours when it is convenient for them. This can be after work, after the children are in bed, or early in the morning before starting the day. Appointments can be scheduled when it is most convenient for patients.
How to Have a Good Telemedicine Visit
Now that you know how beneficial telemedicine can be, there are some ways you can ensure you have a good experience with it.
Use a Quality Webcam
The better the quality of your webcam, the more you'll enjoy the face-to-face communication you'll have with the doctor.
Don't run out to the store to get an expensive webcam, though. Most affordable webcams are good enough for the purpose of a telemedicine.
Test Equipment Before the Appointment
Don't wait until the appointment to test out your equipment. You can test your audio and video beforehand, so it's ready to go for the appointment. You should also check to make sure the microphone is working too.
Close Unused Programs
Video streaming takes up bandwidth. To prevent lagging, close all programs you won't be using during the appointment.
Plug In the Device
If you're using your phone or tablet, plug it in before the appointment starts so it doesn't die while you're speaking with the doctor. If you can't plug it in, make a point to plug it in before the appointment so it's fully charged.
Always Choose a Quiet Place for an Appointment
A coffee shop is not the ideal place for an appointment. It should be a place where you'll have privacy and no distractions. Possibly locations are:
- Bedroom
- Office
- Home (when no one is around)
- Vehicle
Just find a spot where you are comfortable and there isn't any noise around you.
Get Ready to Write Information Down
The doctor will likely give you instructions on what to do to treat your condition, so be ready to write them down. If you're not good at note taking, don't worry too much about it. The doctor will likely send you information electronically as well.
Medical crises like COVID-19 have put a lot of fear in people. Telemedicine can ease those fears because speaking to a medical professional may be all people need to feel as though they are going to be okay. For that reason, consider trying it now. You may just feel much better about the pandemic and discover a better way to seek medical care.
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