What is driving the rise of telehealth patient care?
Patients complain most about healthcare’s high cost. The second complaint is the long waiting. You’ve probably been to the doctor’s offices for appointments at 3:30 – sometimes even earlier. But, waiting can be frustrating. Sometimes, you wait up to an hour before you get treatment. These and other issues are just a few of the many reasons people seek alternative healthcare options.
Some people find concierge medicine a great solution. Others have begun to reap the benefits of telehealth patient services. Telehealth has many benefits, and the invention of e-signing documents can make it even easier. Here are reasons to start telehealth services in your office. These are the key factors driving the growth of telehealth care.
Concerns about Sickness
Patients with compromised immune systems don’t like to wait in doctors’ offices with other sick people and their mixture of germs. Patients are not only concerned about getting more than they already have, but they also don’t want others to get their germs. Telehealth patient care can be a great fit in many cases. Telehealth can be a great option to help patients remain healthy.
Busy schedules
People are so busy these days that they put off seeing the doctor when it is most important. They put off going to the doctor until it becomes impossible to ignore what is happening. Telehealth allows them to speak with a healthcare provider without waiting for their illness to worsen. These HCPs have the responsibility to provide the best possible care and recommend testing and in-person visits if necessary. Telehealth allows you to save time and speed up the healing process.
There are not many good options nearby
Many people live in areas that don’t have many healthcare providers. Patients who have to travel for more than an hour to see a doctor can create a barrier to receiving effective medical care. If you offer telehealth care, patients are more likely to use your services. If they’re sick enough, you can prescribe lab tests and direct them to a nearby ER.
Rising Costs of Delivering Healthcare
Healthcare can be expensive. Each service, from doctor’s visits to medication and diagnostic services, comes with a price. Telehealth allows you to provide great healthcare at a fraction of the cost. Telehealth can help reduce the stress that many people feel when they are unable to get care. Telehealth is also an option for people who have mobility problems or find it difficult to get to appointments. You can send patients home with diagnostic equipment to monitor everything, from oxygen levels and blood pressure. This will allow you to treat them properly.
Better Communication Opportunities
Patients may have difficulty communicating their symptoms clearly. Communication can be a problem that leaves doctors making assumptions rather than digging deeper to find answers. Telehealth appointments allow family members to also attend appointments. Sometimes they can communicate information that the patient does not understand or cannot. A family member who regularly sees a patient with memory loss and confusion might be better equipped to communicate that to a doctor. Telehealth appointments are convenient for family members.
Last thought
It is clear that telehealth, and alternative healthcare, including home visits, will be the future. Healthcare delivery methods are constantly changing. Telehealth software makes it easy to make simple changes in your health and find more affordable options. You don’t have to send people far to get the results of their tests. Instead, they can make a video call to your office.