Telehealth: Evolution of Patient Care

April 9, 2021

Ever thought of having a checkup with your doctor virtually? The Covid-19 pandemic has expedited an inevitable new front of health care: telehealth. With doctors working virtually, all types of patients have been able to have access to patient care from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Similarly, doctors and healthcare staff have been able to protect themselves and their families by working remotely. Although the pandemic will eventually subside, telemedicine is bound to stay a vital part of the future of medicine.

How does it work?

Telehealth has become a way for healthcare providers to see their patients virtually. When scheduling their appointment, patients are given the opportunity to decide whether they would like to have an on-site or remote visit. However, that option depends on the type of visit; for example, yearly physical exams have to be conducted on-site. Patients will be called by a medical assistant or nurse to gather self-reported vitals, medical history, and technical information. Newer technology is introducing portable medical kits which include devices like ECGs and vital sign monitors. Afterward, the patient will see their doctor via HIPAA-approved video conferencing software.

Benefits

Telehealth has allowed an increase in the efficiency of many medical practices and clinics, allowing providers to see more patients on a daily basis. Medical practices have been able to increase their revenue because telehealth eliminates the need for office space and more staff. Video visits can also be less costly for patients as well; they do not need to spend money on transportation/gas and do not need to take days off from work. New AI diagnosis software built into the conferencing system allows providers to deliver a more accurate diagnosis. In addition, patients have been able to decrease some of their stress and anxiety associated with doctor’s appointments by doing them in their homes. Patients who live in rural areas now have better access to doctors and are able to see them without long and arduous journeys. Seniors can avoid exposure to contagious diseases, protecting themselves from the current pandemic.

Limitations

While providing the medical world with many benefits, telehealth came with obstacles for health care staff as well. Many medical facilities faced a learning curb when it came to learning how to use the software efficiently. Patients also faced the same problem. In addition, during patient visits, loads of sensitive information is shared between the provider and patient. Security concerns have become a significant issue while practicing telehealth. When technology fails, providers may be tempted to switch to phone calls or messages. However, this is not a viable solution. Another issue is some private payers such as Medicare and Medicaid do not reimburse practices for telemedicine, leading to the fees falling on medical practices and hospitals.

Future

The use of telehealth is increasing annually. In the future, experts predict there will be online platforms for doctors from different practices to work together, including opportunities for international collaboration. In addition, there may be augmented reality mirrors that will allow providers to diagnose diseases more accurately while conducting video visits. “We’ve learned so much about the many different things doctors can do to connect with patients, in ways they never did before, that it will be hard to turn back the clock,” says Dr. Daniel Z. Sands, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a primary-care doctor. Telehealth will continue to adapt and become a solid option for patients and their providers.

Sources

Landro, Laura. “What Covid-19 Taught Us About Telemedicine.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 28 Mar. 2021, www.wsj.com/articles/what-covid-19-taught-us-about telemedicine-11616932803.

“What Is Telemedicine?” VSee, 20 Jan. 2021, vsee.com/what-is-telemedicine/#14.