Technological advancement has led to the evolution of almost all healthcare sectors. For example, through telehealth, people could seek healthcare services during the pandemic when movement was limited due to the spread. And during this period, telemedicine gained traction in the medical sector.
Through telehealth, the healthcare sector can provide accessible and better services to patients. The technology enables people to access services such as video conferencing, remote patient monitoring, virtual visits, and health apps for their medical needs. So, what is telehealth, and how is it transforming the healthcare industry?
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is a form of health care delivery that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) such as computers or mobile devices to provide health services such as diagnosis, treatment, education, and consultation remotely.
Many healthcare providers, such as Recovery Delivered, use telehealth to change their patients’ lives. These online providers connect with each other and their patients through health apps via video calls or text messages. This gives them more flexibility when it comes to providing quality care without having to be present at the same location as their patients physically.
What’s the Impact of Telehealth on the Healthcare Industry?
The impact of telemedicine on the healthcare industry has been immense, with its usage increasing exponentially after the pandemic. Here are some ways it has changed the medical sector.
Remote Monitoring
Telehealth allows medical providers to check patients’ health remotely through medical apps. For example, doctors and nurses can monitor a patient’s vital signs, like blood pressure, blood sugar, oxygen levels, and heart rate using wearable devices or apps connected directly to smartphones or tablets.
Patients must also record their progress and other relevant data, such as nutrition. Thus, providing doctors with up-to-date patient information can help inform diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Virtual Visits
Virtual visits allow patients and their doctors to connect from anywhere in the world. This eliminates the need for physical visits, saving time and money while providing patients greater care access.
Most often, your physician will ask you to fill out a form online so that they diagnose and provide the proper treatment. Virtual visits are suitable for psychological conditions, such as anxiety & depression, and colds, migraines, and skin conditions.
Collaboration Between Providers
Healthcare providers can collaborate more efficiently through telehealth by sharing patient data quickly and securely. This makes it easier for multiple doctors or specialists to work together on treatment plans without being at the exact location. In addition, it cuts down on movement from one department to the next, thus lowering patient wait times.
Patient Portal
A patient portal is a web-based application that allows patients to view their medical records, schedule doctor’s visits, fill prescriptions, review test results, pay bills and communicate with their doctor’s office from a phone or PC.
Patient portals are an excellent way for healthcare providers to improve communication between themselves and their patients while manually reducing paperwork associated with managing medical records. And the best part is that it’s safe and secure.
Personal Health Records
Electronic personal health records (EPR) enable patients to access their medical information from a web-enabled device and share it with their physician in real-time. This makes it easier for doctors to quickly assess a patient’s condition and provide the best treatment plan without waiting days or weeks for physical records to be delivered.
What are the Benefits of Telehealth?
There are many benefits associated with telehealth which include:
- Reduced travel time
- Improved access to healthcare
- Lowers the cost of accessing healthcare
- Less chance of missing appointments
- Enhanced flexibility for patients and physicians
- Increased data safety for patient and staff
Final Thoughts
Telehealth has revolutionized the medical industry by providing easy access to quality health services while reducing overall costs associated with accessing medical care. However, it is essential to consider its benefits and potential downsides when utilizing telemedicine to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.
