Five reasons why telehealth is a valuable option

Check out our updated post, The state of telehealth to read more. 

Is telehealth the next step toward patient-centered care?

Telemedicine is a synthesis of all the ways in which a physician can connect with a patient outside of a doctor’s office. There’s more than one-way technology has allowed healthcare systems to enable this type of communication ( i.e. video chat, text messaging, automated emails) and although technology has evolved over time, telemedicine isn’t exactly new to the healthcare industry.  In recent years, however, telehealth has grown in popularity. Changes in state laws across the country have allowed more and more physicians to establish relationships with patients and prescribe medication via video chat. The need for this type of communication is there, too. With an uptick in Americans obtaining health insurance plans and a shift toward patient-centered care, there is a greater demand for physicians to be everywhere whenever a patient needs them.

Here are five reasons why we believe telemedicine is worth looking into:

It’s cost effective

At its best, telemedicine is cost effective and convenient for many Americans with expensive health insurance plans and trouble accessing a primary care physician. A recent article in Forbes argues that telemedicine is empowering healthcare consumers in need of affordable care to seek treatment outside of the emergency room (where many patients without a PCP seek treatment for rudimentary ailments). A telemedicine visit can cost as little as $40 whereas a visit to the emergency room (for non-emergency care) can cost thousands of dollars.

It’s timesaving

For overwhelmed primary care systems in cities and rural areas, offering video consultation for basic healthcare not only saves money but relieves pressure from physicians that feel like they are stretched too thin. The aforementioned Forbes article stated that  87 percent of the American population has health insurance today. With a shrinkage in primary care physicians and a greater demand for basic healthcare, telehealth can help bridge that gap one video conference at a time.

It bisects competition

Retail clinics, such as CVS’ Minute Clinics, are gaining popularity because of their short wait times and accommodating mobile apps (where patients can book appointments). In fact, the number of retail clinics has increased by 1,200 in just this year alone. Healthcare consumers have spoken, and they demand convenience. What’s more convenient than a visit to your primary care doctor without having to leave your couch? If healthcare facilities provide video chat as an option, they automatically have an advantage over these types of competitors.

It’s relatable

The early days of telemedicine began by connecting specialists to patients who had to visit a clinic or hospital in order to conference in. Today people can access healthcare in the palm of their hand (with a smartphone or tablet.) and from the comfort of their own homes. In a recent Salesforce study, it reported that 60 percent of millennials would be interested in using telehealth options so they don’t have to come into the office for an appointment. Telehealth offers an alternative way to keep up to date with younger generations yearning for this type of patient care.

We’ve been there

Although we cannot specifically attest to the inner workings of telehealth, we can put our two-cents in about the technology. In order to communicate with our clients that live thousands of miles away, we use apps that allow us to video chat during meetings or screen share during conferences. We shoot text messages when appropriate and always have our smartphones on standby. Additionally, we offer an online appointment scheduling tool so prospective clients can choose what time is convenient to chat. We try to shorten the distance as much as possible through the use of technology. Your hospital should, too.