Telehealth is a relatively new term, and it seems to be gaining traction in 2022.
Since the onset of the pandemic, more countries have been looking into adopting telemedicine.
Ukraine, for example, has a ministry of digital transformation that’s currently working on digitizing all medical records and implementing a country-wide telehealth system by 2024.
Telehealth has many known benefits for both patients and doctors. This blog post will discuss some of the critical benefits of telehealth and how it can help you and your patients!
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth utilizes digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely.
Telehealth also includes the use of wearable devices that can monitor a patient’s health data, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and send this information to their doctor in real-time.
It allows patients to consult with their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility.
Nowadays, many online healthcare customer support platforms have sprung up because of the rise of remote work.
And if you’re a medical professional who wants to offer their health services online, you can do that through platforms that connect you with companies that need support with their telehealth services.
The 9 Benefits of Telehealth
As the pandemic accelerated, remote working, doctors, and other workers in the medical profession have had to rapidly adapt how they provide care.
Those that adopt have witnessed several benefits. Here are the top 9 of them!
1. Increased Access to Care
Telehealth increases access to care, especially for patients in rural and underserved areas.
Telehealth allows patients to consult with their doctors without traveling long distances to a healthcare facility. This helps improve a country’s medical equity.
Rural areas often have a shortage of healthcare providers. This is because many doctors choose to work in urban areas with more job opportunities and a higher standard of living.
By using telehealth, patients in rural areas can consult with doctors in urban areas without traveling. This increases access to care for rural patients.
2. Lower Cost for Patients
Another benefit of telehealth is that it can lower the cost of care for patients. Doctor visits can be expensive, especially if you have to travel to see a specialist.
With telehealth, patients can consult with their doctor from the comfort of their own home, which can save on travel costs.
In addition, many insurance companies are now covering telehealth visits, which can further lower the cost of care for patients.
This is great news for patients who might not be able to afford traditional healthcare.
3. Reduced Exposure to Viruses and Infections
Telehealth can help reduce exposure to viruses and infections.
As governments try to control the spread of Omicron and other variants, this is a crucial benefit.
By seeing patients virtually, doctors can reduce their exposure to the virus. This, in turn, can help protect both doctors and patients from infection.
In addition, telehealth can help reduce the spread of infections in healthcare facilities.
If more patients are seen virtually, fewer people will come into contact with each other in waiting rooms and clinics. This can help reduce the spread of infections in healthcare facilities.
4. Immediate Care for Babies and Children at Night
Telehealth can provide immediate care for babies and children at night.
If a child is sick, parents can consult with a doctor virtually instead of taking them to the hospital.
This can help reduce the number of trips to the hospital and save time. In addition, it can help ease parents’ anxiety about their child’s health.
Telehealth can also provide immediate care for babies who are born prematurely or have other health conditions.
If a baby is born prematurely, a doctor can monitor it remotely using telehealth. This can help ensure that the baby receives the care they need while also reducing the number of trips to the hospital for the parents.
5. Reduced Medical Overhead Costs
Telehealth can be done using existing infrastructure, such as the internet and phone lines. This can help reduce the cost of setting up new healthcare facilities.
It also helps reduce office costs, such as rent, utilities, and janitorial services.
In addition, telehealth can help reduce the need for medical supplies and equipment. For example, if a doctor sees a patient virtually, they will not need to use an examination table or medical instruments.
This can help reduce the cost of medical care for both patients and healthcare providers.
6. Support for Disabled and Patients with Chronic Conditions
Telehealth can provide support for the disabled and patients with chronic conditions.
For example, telehealth can help monitor diabetes patients remotely. This can help prevent complications and improve the quality of care for these patients.
Finally, telehealth can provide support for disabled patients. For example, virtual physical therapy can help these patients stay active and improve their quality of life.
7. Online Support for Mental Health
Telehealth can provide online support for mental health. This is essential because mental health is often stigmatized. By providing mental health support online, patients can get the help they need without worrying about stigma.
In addition, telehealth can provide support for substance abuse and addiction. This is important because these disorders often require long-term treatment.
By providing online support, patients can get the help they need to recover from these disorders.
8. Reduce Anxiety for Patients
Telehealth can help reduce anxiety for the patient, especially for those suffering from agoraphobia or other anxiety disorders. This is crucial because anxiety can often be a barrier to care.
By seeing a doctor virtually, patients can get the care they need without leaving their homes. This can help reduce the anxiety that these patients feel.
9. Offer Peer-to-peer Support
Telehealth can offer peer-to-peer support. This is important because it can help patients connect with others going through similar experiences.
This can help patients feel less alone and more supported. In addition, it can help patients learn from each other and share tips for managing their condition.
Finally, it can help patients build a community of support that they can rely on.
Get Into Telehealth and Reap Its Many Benefits
Now that you have an idea of the key benefits of telehealth, you can see how it can help you and your patients, and you can learn more about the benefits of developing a positive engagement with them.
If you want to join work-from-home medical professionals and improve the quality of care you provide, telehealth is a great option.
Telehealth can help save time and money and improve the quality of care you provide. So why not get into telehealth and reap its many benefits?
