Telehealth
Written by: Adam Li, M.S.
Graphics by: Jalysa Ellis
Get the Care You Need This Winter with Telehealth
Introduction
Flu and COVID cases are rising once more as winter wraps its cold embrace around us, underscoring the significance of having access to healthcare. This short blog briefly introduces Telehealth and why you should use it should you get sick this winter.
What Is Telehealth
Telehealth, also known as telemedicine, is a revolutionary solution that allows patients to receive medical care remotely, providing convenience and minimizing the risk of exposure to transmissible diseases. Telehealth is not a new technology; on the contrary, the idea has been around for quite some time. It gained public attention largely due to its usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, telehealth became a popular and widely adopted approach to delivering healthcare services, as it helped doctors safely and quickly provide services to patients without the need for in-person visits. This care modality minimized the risk of spreading the virus, allowed patients to receive necessary medical care from the comfort and safety of their homes, and elevated the stress on the medical system. [1] Although the pandemic is pronounced over, the need for virtual care remains high. In an issue brief published by the Department of Human Health Services in 2023, the usage of virtual care was lowered by approximately 5% between July and August 2021. The trend had increased to nearly 25% by August 2022, indicating a growing demand for virtual care. This upward trend is expected to continue in the coming years. [2]
Telehealth in Mental Health
One of the most common areas where Telehealth is beneficial is mental health. Sometimes, it is hard for people to engage in a personal conversation with others; this makes it especially difficult for them when they need to visit a psychiatrist, as private information needs to be shared in a face-to-face setting. Therefore, many psychiatrists now allow their patients, whether new or established, to text them during their appointment time. This has been the case for several people around me who have enjoyed the relief of being conscious of their surroundings.
Telehealth for Patient Monitoring
Additionally, some people have connected devices or implants that require continuous
monitoring, such as a pacemaker. Telehealth allows physicians to keep track of their patient's vitals and be alerted should any abnormalities be detected from these devices, as well as notify the patients for medical attention.
The Cost of Telehealth
As more medical facilities adopt Telehealth and advocacy from insurance companies, people undoubtedly have concerns over how it works and how they may benefit from it. Since it is a relatively new way to get cared for, some may worry that Telehealth may incur extra costs. However, insurance often covers Telehealth services similar to in-person services. Using Telehealth can not only provide convenient and accessible healthcare but also help individuals save on expenses such as transportation or missed workdays. In a recent study, researchers found an average savings of $147 to $186 for cancer patients visiting doctors virtually. [3]
What You Need to Get Started
Furthermore, there is no need to purchase new or expensive electronic devices to connect with doctors remotely. All one needs is a standard device, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop, to get it started. Sometimes, you can even call or chat with your physicians without a camera. During a virtual visit with your doctor, they may order a test or prescribe medicine if necessary. Depending on your insurance, you may also be eligible to find a doctor whose office is hundreds of miles from where you live or work. Similarly, Telehealth empowers doctors to see their patients while traveling, helping patients stick with the same practice.
Is My Privacy Protected
Lastly, many Telehealth platforms are built with privacy in mind. Developing technologies for healthcare subjects them to HIPAA guidelines and regulations; this includes anything that can be accessed remotely. Doctors must be in a private setting when connecting patients virtually, and the patient is typically reminded to be in a secluded area during the visit. Many Telehealth platforms offered by clinics and insurance companies also include encryption features, which help keep data secured on both ends of the data transmission. Despite technological advancements, regulators are seeking tighter and more modern regulations to be better equipped for the unexpected. [4]
When Is Telehealth Not Recommended
With that being said, there are times when you should immediately seek immediate medical attention in person. Suppose you are feeling extremely unwell or have a chronic condition that may need urgent care, such as kidney dialysis. In that case, visiting the closest urgent care center or emergency room as soon as possible is advised. Telehealth shines when all you need is a routine checkup or a minor medical concern that can be addressed remotely, like a question about medication, for example.
When Is Telehealth Not Available
Even though Telehealth aims to increase accessibility and reduce cost, there are situations where this is not available and may be out of the scope of this technology. For instance, you must have an Internet or phone connection to get cared for remotely. This is not feasible for people living in a rural area where none of these is available. In this case, the telecommunication companies and the local government should help build the infrastructure to make access possible.
The Outlook of Telehealth
With all the benefits telehealth can provide, from providing accessibility and flexibility to patients at a low cost to empowering medical providers to provide quality services that help patients stick, telehealth has an undoubtedly bright path. We expect to see more clinics and patients start using this technology and more developers rolling out secure and more comprehensive solutions. [5] Everyone needs to keep in mind that with greater technology comes greater considerations.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for reading the post. Please feel free to share your stories with us, and we would like to hear your thoughts. Stay fit and healthy; we hope to cover more topics in the latest health technologies for you!
Source:
[1] Monaghesh, E., & Hajizadeh, A. (2020). The role of telehealth during COVID-19
outbreak: a systematic review based on current evidence. BMC Public Health, 20(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09301-4
[2] Lee, E. C., Grigorescu, V., Enogieru, I., Smith, S. R., Samson, L. W., Conmy, A. B., &
Lew, N. D. (2023). April 2023 ISSUE BRIEF 1 HP-2023-09 Updated National Survey
Trends in Telehealth Utilization and Modality (2021-2022). Office of Health Policy,
Department of Human Health Services.
[3] Patel, K., Turner, K., Tabriz, A. A., Gonzalez, B. D., Oswald, L. B., Nguyen, O. T.,
Hong, Y., Jim, H., Nichols, A. C., Wang, X., Robinson, E. K., Naso, C., & Spiess, P. E.
(2023). Estimated indirect cost savings of using telehealth among nonelderly patients
with cancer. JAMA Network Open, 6(1), e2250211. https://doi.org/10.1001/
jamanetworkopen.2022.50211
[4] Shachar, C., Engel, J., & Elwyn, G. (2020). Implications for telehealth in a
postpandemic future. JAMA, 323(23), 2375. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.7943
[5] American Medical Association & American Medical Association. (2023, January 9).
What to expect in telehealth in 2023? Here are 5 predictions. American Medical
Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/what-expect-
telehealth-2023-here-are-5-predictions
