What are the benefits and challenges of telehealth?

An additional reason why telehealth is increasing is owing to a push from younger generations. This is to say, technology is like a piece of cake for them. With their fast-paced routines, they give importance to the suitability that comes with digital alternatives. However, older generations are not as open to using telehealth. In short, they tussle more with technology since they don’t use it as often. Hence, they don’t apprehend the pros of telehealth.

Telehealth is defined as facilitating and delivering health-related services, including health information services, medical care, patient and provider education, and self-care through digital and telecommunications technologies. Mobile health apps, live video conferencing, remote patient monitoring (RPM), and “store and forward” electronic transmission are some telehealth technologies. Here are some of the pros and cons of telehealth.

Pros of telehealth

There are several benefits of using technology to deliver health care, including accessibility, cost savings, easy follow-ups, helping rural areas, reducing the spread of illness, etc. Let’s take a run-down on each one of them:

Convenience

Telehealth offers convenience. It doesn’t need travel time, and it allows connection from any place. People don’t have to take their time off to commute from their daily schedule. This accommodates patients who would then have to take a leave from work or school for a consultation.

Reduces spread of illness

Telehealth services are a constructive way to hold sick people from visiting the doctor’s office, especially with the upsurge of Covid-19. Patients can pick new germs when they see the clinics or hospitals and spread their infection to other individuals. However, a physician can evaluate their illness and refer them to the prescribed treatment or a specialist when they take a virtual consultation. According to a survey, three-quarters of Americans are more inclined towards virtual care after the pandemic.

Cuts costs for patients

Telehealth decreases costs across all heads. The cost of these services is less than in-person care. According to a study, the average price of a virtual visit is around $50 per consultation. According to the same survey, that’s almost four times lower than the average cost of an in-person visit.

Helps rural areas

Technology unlocks the opportunity for people living in rural areas to get in touch with doctors nationally. If rural patients cannot locally find the service they need, they can connect with a doctor via any device with an internet connection. Hence, they can receive prescriptions, care, and referrals without having to travel for hours.

Cons of telehealth

Although most people are optimistic about the benefits of telehealth, many in the industry still have a few concerns. Virtual care technology has come a long way, but it’s not impeccable. Let’s take a look at some of the challenges.

Needs internet

Telehealth needs a good Internet; there’s no way around it. Even though one can contend that some shares of consultation can happen over the call, most will necessitate some visual check-up from the doctor. 10% of Americans have no access to the Internet. Telehealth, moreover, dramatically depends on an excellent online connection that everyone doesn’t have. If either the physician or patient loses connection, then the entire consultation stops. This could postpone or even lengthen the appointment.

Assessment limitations

Doctors cannot do much when they aren’t physically with the patient. They can merely evaluate what the patient tells them and what they see. Doctors may require equipment to judge a patient’s condition. Nevertheless, this is why they may propose further treatment.

Patient data security

Taking appointments online enhances a security risk to patient information. Online data can be hacked. If a cyber-criminal gets access to a patient’s data record, they might misuse it.

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