Video conferencing from phones, tablets, and computers has skyrocketed over the years, with significant technological advancements and more video applications on the horizon.
While many companies and individuals utilize these services to keep in touch, host meetings, and conduct interviews, the healthcare industry has also begun integrating telecommunications to better connect with patients.
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, telemedicine appointments increased to 154%; however, virtual medical care was already on the rise well before.
Telemedicine requires a reliable connection, in addition to a video conferencing service that’s compliant with HIPPA to protect private information.
With its increasing popularity, here are five reasons telemedicine is an excellent option for receiving medical care.
1. Convenience for Patient and Doctor
Some patients have a difficult time getting to their doctor’s office. Whereas one patient may not have a car, another patient could be a new mom with post-partum depression.
Others may struggle to leave their homes, hire childcare or take time off from work to drive to the office.
Whatever the reason, telemedicine allows people to remotely meet with their doctor to discuss their medical concerns and receive treatment.
In specialty areas of healthcare, such as vision and eye care, online vision tests are more efficient for patients to take their eye exams from the comfort of their homes.
Optometrists can then easily write prescriptions for new or expired glasses or contacts.
According to the Telehealth Impact Study by the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, 31% to 41% of providers felt they were able to provide quality preventative care to their patients with telehealth.
Another 33% to 55% indicated that telehealth allowed them to improve the timeliness of appointments with patients.
2. Virtual Waiting Rooms are Better
Have you ever gone to the doctor’s office for a wellness visit only to have to sit in the waiting room with sick, sneezing, and coughing patients?
It probably makes you feel uneasy and increases your chances of catching a cold.
Research has shown that medical offices are cesspools for bacteria and germs. One particular study found that patients had a 3% higher risk of catching the flu after sitting in a healthcare setting for only 30 minutes.
In the same study, patients felt their confidentiality was breached in the waiting room due to overheard conversations about scheduling, illnesses, prescriptions and procedures in front of strangers.
With virtual doctor visits, the days of sitting among sick people are over.
Instead, telemedicine significantly reduces the risk of exposure to germs and greatly improves patient-doctor privacy.
3. Greater Patient Engagement
There is more to video conferencing than doctors speaking with a patient through a camera.
Many virtual video platforms have neat tools that allow doctors to share their screens to explain visuals or diagrams, pull up the patient’s chart, review radiology reports and record audio or video conversations.
While new technology is still in development, nurses can also instruct patients to take their vitals accurately during telehealth appointments.
Additionally, with your authorization, video conferencing allows you to loop in family members to assist you during your appointment with your doctor.
This is incredibly convenient if that person lives outside of town.
4. Better Record-Keeping
One benefit of telemedicine is your doctor’s ability to keep better records of your appointments.
Doctors can easily capture relevant medical photos and save them to your patient portal using your device’s camera.
That way, your doctor can easily compare your condition during your next follow-up visit.
Further, your doctor can update your chart simultaneously to ensure that the information is accurate and the most up-to-date during your appointment.
With in-person meetings, your doctor may wait until afterward to add their notes, in which case they may already forget some important details.
5. Patients Are Highly Satisfied
Patient satisfaction is relatively high when it comes to telehealth.
In a 2017 survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, over 80% of patients felt virtual visits were just as good as in-person, and 53.2% agreed that their experience was even better than in-person.
There are several different reasons why patients may feel satisfied with virtual medical appointments, including the following:
- Telemedicine enables you and your doctor to speak one-on-one without disruptions or distractions from whatever is happening in the office.
- Through virtual meetings, patients often feel they have their doctor’s undivided attention.
- Telemedicine tends to feel more intimate between doctors and patients, allowing patients to feel more comfortable opening up about their conditions.
- In the Cleveland Clinic study, telehealth patients felt their doctors were more interested in and concerned about them as people.
Telehealth is Here to Stay
Even though the coronavirus pandemic is better managed and individuals and medical professionals have adapted to mitigation measures, virtual doctor appointments seem to be the future of medicine.
0While there is plenty of room for improvement for logistical things like scheduling and better audio and video connection, telehealth is a safe, efficient way to provide and receive excellent medical care.