Receiving healthcare has become more accessible and convenient than ever, with the advent of telehealth. Telehealth uses the newest improvements in communication technology to create the opportunity for virtual medical appointments. Using any mobile device that supports an internet connection you can book video calls, audio calls, or even send messages to your healthcare provider. All this from the convenience of one’s home has allowed patients to benefit more from their doctor who can provide more accurate diagnoses due to improved communication.
In this blog we will discuss the many ways that Patient-Doctor communication has been refined by the use of telehealth.
1. Convenience And Accessibility
One of the biggest and most well known benefits of telehealth is the convenience that it offers. Patients can book appointments to whatever time suits them. Furthermore, the patients do not have to worry about being stuck in traffic or other issues which might cause them to miss the appointment. The patients also feel more comfortable talking to the doctors from their homes which leads to clearer definition of the symptoms they may suffer from. Hence the diagnosis is more accurate and patients are able to get the help they need.
Telehealth also improves accessibility and availability of doctors. Since the meeting is going to be online, people living in underdeveloped areas and those who cannot make frequent trips to the hospitals can still receive the healthcare they need.
Also in the case of telehealth the availability of doctors is also higher. There is virtually little to no waiting time between appointments and this allows more patients to be treated and diagnosed in a day. The convenience and accessibility reduce the barriers to receiving health care and allow patients to contact doctors when they need them the most.
2. More Follow-Up Meetings
Follow-up appointments are mostly ignored by patients especially if their health starts to improve. It may seem pointless to see a doctor if you are feeling better, however, it is really important because dosage may need to be adjusted or lowered so the patient does not keep consuming lots of medicine even when they do not need it. That is where telehealth comes in, it makes follow up appointments easy to schedule and less of a bother. The fact that it is so easy to schedule an appointment makes patients more likely to show up for follow-up discussions with their doctors.
3. Better Communication Tools
Telehealth has benefited a lot from the improvement in communication technology. The availability of wifi is so common a doctor can be video called for a face to face diagnosis. The video call also allows for the patient to show how their body is affected like range of motion etc. Also the nonverbal communication from video calls make it a more engaging experience for patients who do not feel like talking to a blank screen.
Other than video calls, the patient can also send high quality images of any visually affected areas on their body. They can also send quick messages to send questions, give updates, or receive prescriptions for medicines. The constant and different communication methods allow for more efficient doctor-patient communication compared to conventional clinic visits.
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4. Better Documentation and Record Keeping
Nowadays most telehealth systems feature integrated electronic health records (EHRs) that make documentation and record keeping, digital and easier to manage. These records can then be updated after every new follow up meeting. This means a person develops an always up to date health record that can be accessed from anywhere.
The health record would include all test results, previous prescriptions and diagnosis which promotes transparency in the healthcare department.
5. Increased Patient Engagement and Education
Telehealth increases patient engagement by simply being an easier and more readily available healthcare option. The more a patient books appointments the more chances they have to talk to their healthcare provider and hence the more optimized their treatment plan would be. The convenience factor makes it so that no-shows in booked appointments is very low.
Telehealth organizations also have a lot of educational material posted on their websites like articles, videos,blogs, and interactive tools that can educate patients about different conditions and symptoms that they may have been facing. Increased awareness and education about any currently on going viral breakouts for example can help people stay safe and healthy in their homes.
6. Privacy and Confidentiality
Telehealthcare providers have a high of maintaining their patients private details as hidden as possible. There is no need to fear any data breaches, with secure communication channels becoming the norm of the industry. Encrypted data routes means any information shared with your doctor is only available to you and them.
The confidentiality barrier has previously stopped many people from receiving healthcare. This is because some of the health issues can be considered embarissing by the society. But with audio calls or one sided video calls patients feel alot more secure and safe. Thus they open up more freely and receive a correct diagnosis and treating plan according to their condition.
7. Allows for Cheaper Health Care
Finally a big benefit associated with telehealth is that it is cheaper than conventional clinic visits. This is true from the doctor and the patients ppoint of view. A patient no longer has to waste time and fuel expenses to get to a doctor. The doctors in turn do not have to pay office rent or utilities expensed. The doctors can work from their work office and even administration costs are low since all the process is managed on the backend by the company.
The lower cost makes healthcare more accessible and patients are more likely to book follow-up appointments to make sure they get the best care they deserve.
Conclusion
To conclude Telehealth has been successful in being able to bring down many of the communication barriers between doctors and patients. Whether it be convenience which allows for more appointments when people feel comfortable, or the fact that telehealth is affordable enough to encourage more followup reviews. The better documentation and record keeping allow patients to always have their medical history with them. The increase in patient engagement will also lead to increase in patient education about their condition. As technology continues to advance, the potential for telehealth to further revolutionize healthcare communication and delivery is boundless, promising a brighter and healthier future for all.