The coronavirus outbreak has sparked a new revolution in the medical industry revolving around the greater need for telemedicine. Widespread telemedicine use has come to fruition to change life for patients and doctors alike. People all over America are avoiding the doctor’s office during the pandemic, and the result is increasing the number of deaths. The integration of telemedicine means that instead of a trip to visit the doctor and waiting in a stuffy waiting room, appointments take place over the phone or video chat.
Insights on the matter from professionals in the health field, like medical doctor and health informatician Joel Arun Sursas, reveal the potential of telemedicine to improve healthcare outcomes. The interest in telemedicine runs high, even before the pandemic. Both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Robert Graham Center report that about nine in ten family physicians welcome the use of compensated telemedicine as a medical tool [2].
Here, Dr. Joel Arun Sursas shares nine reasons why Americans should embrace the telemedicine revolution in the world of medical care.
COVID-19 Safety
As the pandemic continues, exposure to other people is seen as a health risk. Telemedicine eliminates personal contact, which keeps patients safe and prevents further outbreaks.
Complements Existing Relationships
The growth of the global telehealth market is predicted to grow 16% annually, from $25.4 billion in 2020 to $55.6 billion in 2025. With its market expansion and broader adaptation, telemedicine will not sever the patient-doctor relationship. Telemedicine is not a different provider for healthcare, but rather an alternate method of care.
Cost Benefits
Telemedicine is much more cost-effective than a trip to an office. Eliminating the overhead cost of offices lowers the amount of money needed to care for patients properly.
Covered by Insurance
As more and more insurance providers are hoping onboard for telemedicine coverage, the Medicare system and other healthcare programs paid by the government have decided to, as well. Medicare and other government-funded programs are now covering telemedicine appointments.
Video-Telehealth Advances
Video telehealth is a great forward leap for the telemedicine industry, but companies like TytoCare make it even better through their telehealth devices. TytoCare recently received fifty million dollars to finance its telehealth-connected innovations, such as its infrared thermometer, stethoscope, and otoscope. Investments like TytoCare’s will increase the quality and accuracy of telehealth communication and health evaluation as they replace in-person meetings.
New Data Sources
There is a multitude of possibilities as telemedicine opens the way to new data sources for providers. These opportunities include e-prescribing, video-chat appointments, on-site blood testing assessments in isolated villages, and fitness monitors to help gather information to improve the effectiveness of patient care.
Decrease Regulatory Barriers
Due to COVID-19, regulatory changes that would normally take a few years to implement were settled at an extremely accelerated pace . Whether these changes stick or not, they currently have diminished or removed previous barriers; they now encourage patients and medical care professionals to utilize telehealth before scheduling an in-person visit. Telehealth options also help save medical supplies for more critical matters .
Elevate Accessibility
Scheduling and attending a doctor’s appointment around a busy work life is stressful, especially for working parents tending to sick children regularly. After using a telehealth program, ninety-seven percent of patients feel satisfied [3]. Telemedicine can allow for greater patient access to their doctor so that an individual’s health does not have to be put on hold due to extenuating circumstances.
Embraces Flexibility
For doctors and medical care workers, telemedicine means more work hours, working from home, spending more time with family, and being able to travel while still assisting patients. Doctors who embrace telemedicine say schedule convenience and location flexibility are the most attractive benefits .
About Joel Arun Sursas:
Joel Arun Sursas is a Medical Doctor and Health Informatician motivated to solve administrative problems in healthcare. His determination to work tirelessly to bridge the gap between doctors and engineers is resulting in medical technology solutions that improve patient outcomes, enhance monitoring, and protect patient privacy. Dr. Joel Arun Sursas is an effective communicator who facilitates the achievement of team goals.
References
- Healthline, Excess Deaths: People Who Are Dying Because of COVID-19- but Not from It, May 5, 2020, Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/excess-deaths-from-covid19-pandemic#Overcoming-the-fear
- Physicians Practice, 7 Reasons to Embrace Telemedicine, March 25, 2016, Retrieved from https://www.physicianspractice.com/view/7-reasons-embrace-telemedicine?page=2
- American Hospital Association, Excess Deaths: People Who Are Dying Because of COVID-19- but Not from It, May 5, 2020, Retrieved from https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2019/02/MarketInsights_TeleHealthReport.pdf
- Markets and Markets, Telehealth Market, March 2020, Retrieved from
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/telehealth-market-201868927.html
- Convenient Urgent Care, Seeing The Doctor Without Leaving The House: Reasons to Embrace The Telemedicine Revolution, April 11, 2020, Retrieved from https://www.convenienturgent.com/seeing-the-doctor-without-leaving-the-house-reasons-to-embrace-the-telemedicine-revolution/
- MobiHealthNews, Tyto Care scores $50M for its connected device, telemedicine product, April 10, 2020, Retrieved from https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/tyto-care-scores-50m-its-connected-device-telemedicine-product
- Forbes, 5 Reasons Why Telehealth Is Here To Stay (COVID-19 And Beyond), May 4, 2020, Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeharpaz/2020/05/04/5-reasons-why-telehealth-here-to-stay-covid19/amp/
- CNBC, States are bidding against each other and the federal government for important medical supplies — and it’s driving up prices, April 11, 2020, Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/09/why-states-and-the-federal-government-are-bidding-on-ppe.html