Electronic Health Reporter

With the COVID 19 pandemic, firms worldwide experienced a shift of paradigm from traditional office space to remote work. Social distancing and WFH signaled a change in company healthcare benefits as well. The novel coronavirus expanded telemedicine merits since the pandemic began earlier this year. Telehealth has long been predicted as the mainstream trend, but largely the workforce has been hesitant to buy into the model- up until now. HR leaders and businesses have added telehealth and telemedicine as leading virtual care options. 

A healthy and happy workforce is vital to maintain workplace productivity. During this time of crisis, organizations need to encourage employees to adjust to the new normal of virtual healthcare integrating numerous benefits. Host webinars and share presentations to enlighten your employees on why telehealth consultation is befitting for remote employees. Render your work easy with SlideModel’s professionally tailored Healthcare PowerPoint template which will make your presentation look captivating. Before diving into why telehealth is the need of the hour for corporations, let us understand what it is. 

What is telehealth or telemedicine?

Telehealth or telemedicine is a technology-based healthcare consultation or service. In this, distant patients acquire medical help and assistance by consulting a medical specialist right from their home through technology. No matter the location of employees of the certified specialist, you can get medical support via mobile applications or websites and telecommunication. 

All the employees need is a smartphone or a computer to discuss their health concerns with an online doctor. Get virtual appointments for any physical or mental ailment, prescription refills or even virtual follow up visits. Chat with an AI-driven digital assistant, or directly call and message the doctor as per your convenience. 

Why Harness Telehealth For Your Employees in Remote Work? Works Well with Social Distancing

Telemedicine is the most practical and convenient alternative to face-to-face visits at the doctors. With the pandemic spreading like wildfire globally, employees can avail safe consultations online for any flu-like symptoms or even big problems without risking their lives. Avoid coming in contact with high-risk patients at the hospitals with doctors available on online telehealth platforms at your beck and call. 

Accessible healthcare 

A click of a button and the medical specialist will consult your employee’s health concerns. Isn’t it quick and amazing! With telehealth, your employees can avail web support, app-based communication or a simple telephone call from anywhere and anytime. What’s more amazing is that the doctors can even video call to check on the symptoms more closely. 

Minimum or no waiting time

Long queues or pre-booking appointments at the hospitals or doctors clinics tend to affect the productivity and work input of your employees. With telehealth, the medical professional is just a call or message away that provides swift, speedy and handy consultation. With telemedicine subscription plans, employees can even mileage emergency services and book appointments remotely without losing their patience. 

Cost-efficient 

Health checks and services provided via telemedicine are more economical and cost-efficient for remote employees than routine visits at the doctors. This consultation for remote employees significantly reduces the healthcare cost of companies, patients and insurance firms. Further, it lowers the transportation costs to the clinics for follow-up advice. These little savings assist insurers to keep the premium affordable for both employers and employees. 

Reduce employee absenteeism 

Employee absenteeism is a determinant which causes increased losses to the company as well as leaves a negative impression with the employers. The employees do not need to take leaves for consultations since the telehealth services are handled remotely. Telemedicine lets the workforce address their health issues hastily without them taking time off work.  

Take care of their mental health 

The COVID 19 pandemic saw a surge in anxiety, fear, panic, stress and other mental worries among the remote employees. Almost all telehealth service providers proffer psychiatric and psychological counselling via phone, video-conference or messages. Mental health professionals in telehealth applications are readily available to offer therapy sessions to your employees with reduced costs than in-person sessions. 

Beneficial to employees families

Telehealth is not only a valuable resource for just your employees but their near and dear ones as well. With the pandemic restricting movements, employees are often stressed about visiting the doctors to get an appointment for the members of their family. With telehealth at your doorstep, leverage the best medical care for your family and relatives without any worries. 

How to promote telehealth?

• Host a Webinar — Encourage the employees to adopt telemedicine by hosting a webinar to boost their morale. 
• PowerPoint Presentations — Conduct meetings or circulate slide decks with healthcare templates showcasing the benefits of telehealth. 
• Educate the Workforce- Educate your employees on the service about the much needed novel way of medical consultation by weighing in on the benefits.
• Provide the employees with the right technology — Upgrade your employees’ smart devices for them to fully take advantage of virtual care. 
• Present Incentives — Provide recognition, small awards and incentives to motivate your employees to embrace telehealth.
• Invest in proficient e-Health providers — Every company should invest their time and money in excellent telehealth providers so that their employees get the best care.

Telemedicine removes the barriers of getting help by putting it right in your palm. The COVID 19 pandemic has pushed telemedicine to the mainstream. A recent Cisco global survey revealed that 74% of patients prefer easy access to healthcare services than directly visiting the doctor. Attract new workforce and retain the best employees by providing virtual care for increased job satisfaction. Conduct wellness programs for remote employees, reinforce the credentials of telehealth practitioners and embrace the future of healthcare with e-health.