Electronic Health Reporter

Telemedicine is a way for doctors to deliver medical care remotely, using electronic communication and video technology. It’s becoming more common in the United States and around the world, as patients look for ways to save time and money, or simply get better access to their physician. Physicians are also embracing telemedicine as a way of increasing access to healthcare services while saving time on travel. Here are just some of the ways that telemedicine is changing how we take care of our health.

It’s More Convenient

Telemedicine is helping to make healthcare more efficient, convenient and accessible. Telemedicine is a way of delivering medical services without the need for a physical visit. Telemedicine enables patients to access healthcare in many different ways, including video conferencing and mobile apps. It can help reduce patient wait times, and there are also many benefits to using telehealth such as convenience, speed, and efficiency. For example, it’s been shown that people who receive their care remotely have fewer hospital readmissions than those who don’t receive their care remotely.

Reduces Wait and Alleviates Stress

Telemedicine can also reduce wait times for appointments, which is another major benefit of telehealth. With telemedicine, you can visit a doctor from the comfort of your own home without having to leave it. This not only provides convenience for you but also reduces the time and stress involved with traveling to an appointment. This can translate to fewer missed work hours and more.

Telemedicine has been shown to increase accessibility as well. In some areas, travel may be difficult due to weather conditions or other factors that make going out difficult. Telehealth allows people living in those areas who otherwise wouldn’t have access to medical care an opportunity to get the care they need.  

Eliminates Barriers

Telehealth is one of the best ways to eliminate geographical barriers to medical care. There are thousands of specialists who can give you an on-the-spot diagnosis and treatment—from anywhere in the world. Additionally, many telehealth companies accept insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and VA disability benefits.

Telemedicine allows patients to speak with physicians from a distance, but it also allows specialists from all over the country to interact with doctors in their area, which means that patients don’t need to travel as far for treatment. The technology also makes it easier for doctors who work remotely such as those in rural areas to connect with other specialists who aren’t available locally.

Gives Patients More Autonomy

One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is helping patients gain control over their own health. The system allows them to take an active role in managing their treatment and health goals, rather than relying on a doctor to provide all necessary information and care. With access to their medical records, patients can better understand their diagnoses, medications, and treatments. They can ask questions that may have been overlooked by a physician during an office visit or appointment with a specialist, creating a better understanding between patient and provider.

It’s Becoming More Common

Patients can use telemedicine to connect with their doctors when they’re not able to make it into the office, or when they need treatment right away and don’t want to wait for an appointment. Doctors will use telemedicine to consult with colleagues or examine patients through video calls instead of traveling across town.

It’s More Cost Effective

Delivering medical care is expensive. It’s far more cost-effective to provide care through telemedicine than it is to sit in an office waiting room. Doctors can treat patients more easily which also reduces wait times for the patient. Additionally, telemedicine technology can allow hospitalized patients to go home sooner. Using remote technology, patients get monitored at home much as they would in a hospital, but using devices that can send data through a Wifi signal. This improves not only the comfort of the patient but the overall outcomes of the treatment as well. Patients can stay connected to their healthcare team remotely without paying the cost of staying in a hospital.

Conclusion

Technology is causing rapid changes in the healthcare industry. From the use of telemedicine to robots in the surgery room, it’ll be incredible to see where all this technology takes us. Even the use of AI in medicine is starting to make waves.