Advances in technology now make it easy for anyone anywhere to access healthcare services virtually. All that is required is a computer, smartphone or tablet, and an internet connection. Many doctors, medical practitioners, and therapists can be reached via online platforms or mobile apps that are easy to use, even for people who may be technologically challenged.
During a virtual consultation, doctors can evaluate and diagnose health conditions and recommend a course of treatment without the patient having to visit the doctor’s medical practice for an in-person appointment.
What Are Telehealth and Telemedicine?
Telehealth and telemedicine utilizes modern technologies like videoconferencing, media streaming, and store-and-forward imaging to allow medical practitioners to provide remote clinical healthcare to their patients. It also facilitates long-distance patient education and medical health professional training.
While telehealth and telemedicine are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference in definition. Telehealth is broader in scope, encompassing both clinical and non-clinical services conducted remotely, whereas telemedicine is the term used to describe remote clinical healthcare services specifically.
What Are the Benefits of Telehealth?
Telehealth offers several other benefits for patients and doctors alike, including:
Controls the Spread of Disease
Healthcare providers are able to see patients without putting themselves at risk of being exposed to contagious diseases. Sick patients can see a doctor without further risking their health. This is particularly pertinent in the era of COVID-19, especially for high-risk patients such as cancer patients, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with compromised immune systems.
Flexible and Convenient
Since telehealth allows patients to connect with a doctor from any location, it offers added convenience and flexibility. Patients no longer have to drive to the practice, look for parking nearby, then wait their turn to see the doctor. Instead, patients can consult with their health practitioner from the comfort of their home. This is particularly useful if a patient is sick in bed and not physically up to driving across town. It can also save a lot of time, which makes it much easier to see a doctor when a patient is overly committed at work, on a tight schedule, or would otherwise need to arrange for someone to look after their children while they are out.
Fewer Cancellations
The added flexibility and convenience mentioned above means that patients are less likely to cancel their appointment due to external factors such as transportation problems, heavy traffic, work commitments, or lack of childcare. For the healthcare provider, fewer cancellations help the practice operate more smoothly; staff can avoid the administrative hassle of having to contact no-shows and reschedule appointments.
Increases Productivity
Telehealth saves time and allows medical practitioners to provide healthcare services to more patients, both by reducing cancellations and increasing efficiency. This improves productivity and earning potential of healthcare providers.
Cost-Efficient
Telehealth saves both patients and health providers time and money. Patients save money on travel costs, while health providers can save time and money by not having to allocate physical space for patient appointments. Providers can also use telehealth to quickly triage and direct patients to appropriate care, without the costs associated with unnecessary appointments.
Improves Quality of Medical Care
Telehealth makes healthcare more accessible to patients suffering physical or mental health issues. This takes pressure of other medical services such as hospitals, particularly emergency rooms, and allows patients to receive quality care.
Because patients are typically able to schedule telehealth appointments sooner than in-person appointments, they can obtain diagnoses and begin treatments more quickly, which may lead to better health outcomes. Long wait times for in-person appointments are common—patients may have to wait months to see a physician, especially in certain medical specialties. Telehealth can sharply reduce this wait.
Attracts Patients
Offering telehealth options provides a value-added service to patients, which could give healthcare providers an advantage over their competitors.
Improves Patient Retention
Since telehealth allows patients to consult with their doctor from anywhere in the world, patients no longer have to change doctors if they move to a different area. They can also schedule an appointment with a doctor they know and trust if they are out of town or on vacation in a different country.
The convenience and accessibility of telehealth increases patient satisfaction; even patients who live near their doctor appreciate being able to meet with them virtually. This can build stronger patient-doctor rapport, which in turn can boost patient retention.
Streamlines Payment Collection
Telehealth services allow medical health providers to expand the range of payment options they offer, and to collect upfront payment for medical services prior to the service being provided.
Improves Job Satisfaction
If implemented properly within a healthcare system or physician practice, telehealth can streamline the flow of patient appointments, reducing work-related stress and improving job satisfaction among medical staff.
Allows Family Input
Telehealth makes it easy for authorized family members—even those who live in another town, state, or country—to attend a patient’s virtual appointment. The family member can ask pertinent questions, provide relevant information, and learn about any medical decisions that must be made.
Improves Chronic Disease Management
Telehealth can be especially beneficial for patients with chronic conditions who require regular check-ins with their doctor and ongoing monitoring. These patients can simply log on to their computer, tablet, or smartphone to meet with their doctor, without having to travel to a clinic. This easy, flexible access means patients are more likely to see their doctor regularly and less likely to skip appointments. Regular online check-ins help doctors monitor patients with chronic conditions more closely, and allows the doctor to intervene quickly when a problem is detected.