What is Telehealth and Why Do Patients Love It?
While 63 percent of respondents feel that office visits are too invasive, they also like that telehealth service is more convenient and reduces the risk of exposure to other sick patients. Telehealth appointments also make scheduling much easier, with 44 percent claiming they prefer to schedule them by phone. Telehealth patients also appreciate the streamlined communications and follow-ups.
Convenience
Telehealth services can help healthcare providers track patient data and document notes on mobile devices. They can also schedule appointments and bill patients using a telehealth platform. Patients also benefit from telehealth because it can reduce their time spent driving. They can also ask questions about their condition and continue on their post-op regimen without having to leave home. These are just some of the benefits of telehealth and considering this technology, a remote patient monitoring guide comes in handy.
Most patients consider telehealth services more convenient than in-person visits, citing shorter waiting times and the ability to get care in the middle of the night. Its benefits are most significant for fundamental interactions, such as refilling a prescription. One study found that nearly 70 percent of participants prefer telehealth to an in-person appointment for medications, such as antibiotics and birth control. In addition, patients who can refill prescriptions online are more likely to use telehealth over an office visit.
Cost
The costs of telehealth may vary widely for those without commercial insurance. Nonetheless, patients should make themselves advocates for these costs. The cost of telehealth consultations mainly depends on the provider’s time and location. Telemedicine consults are more affordable than in-person visits. Patients save time and money by not traveling, and providers can deliver health services at lower rates because they don’t require as much physical space or staff support. This, in turn, warrants lower payment rates. However, cost savings are only a partial measure. While technology is more convenient, it does not always mean lower.
Scalability
While the technology and the benefits of telehealth are undeniable, scalability is often a significant challenge for healthcare organizations without next-generation infrastructure. Telehealth is a growing market, and it has the potential to reach an untapped population. Building a steady clientele is the key to maximizing your ROI from virtual care. To achieve this, the technology should be easy to implement and integrate into remote patient monitoring telehealth workflows. This will reduce the time required for maintenance. Scalability is essential since specialized services often have a low demand until a clientele is established.
Quality
While technological advancements are lovely, without the right expertise, they are nothing. The quality of telehealthcare depends on both technical performance and the interpersonal interactions between healthcare providers and patients. Inadequate interpersonal skills can lead to incorrect interpretations of a patient’s condition, while poor technical performance may result in poor patient engagement and inattention to concerns. Telehealth quality measures are evolving as more people adopt these services.
A systematic review of the literature on telehealth cost and quality is crucial to ensure that healthcare providers and patients receive quality care. In this study, quality was evaluated against an ISO 13131 standard. This standard was used to determine the relative effectiveness of telehealth in reducing costs and improving health outcomes. Although the study results are preliminary, the overall conclusions favor telehealth in healthcare. For instance, telehealth services are less expensive than traditional forms of care compared to conventional methods, while improved outcomes may be more desirable.
