How Telehealth is Changing the Patient Experience | Ines Dahne-Steuber
Telehealth services has revolutionized the healthcare industry. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many patients began opting for telehealth visits due to the lockdowns in place or simply as a preventive measure to stay healthy while receiving quality healthcare. Telehealth continues to impact the patient experience in the following ways.
Patients typically have more control over scheduling telehealth visits with a specialist or primary healthcare provider since they are offered more options when it comes to seeking care. Patients can book physicians hailing from different geographic locations, opt for onsite testing for any diagnostic needs, and avoid long commutes or extended wait times to see a particular provider.
Telehealth options are particularly beneficial for those who might experience insurance-related limitations. For instance, if a patient cannot locate a provider who accepts his/her insurance policy, telehealth can open a wealth of additional options. This saves a potential long commute and frustration for the patient.
Additionally, telehealth gives patients more accessibility to the provider of their choice due to the more relaxed, informal nature of a teleheath visit. Patients are in the privacy of their own homes, cars, or other familiar settings, and this fact alone tends to open up more candid conversations that help providers personalize treatment plans more effectively.
Telehealth also offers patients more access to continuous care when an in-person visit isn’t necessary. Regular check-ins give patients the opportunity to ask questions and to keep better motivated when managing chronic health conditions.
Of course, when it comes to staying safe and healthy, telehealth gives patients the opportunity to receive care without risking exposure to more infectious diseases. Alternatively, providers can treat contagious infections at home instead of scheduling them for an in-person visit. In short, telehealth visits help to control the spread of disease while making appointments less stressful and more efficient.
Finally, the fear of stigma or the occurrence of anxiety/panic in a clinical setting can prevent many people from seeking care for mental related conditions. With telehealth, patients can relax and discuss personal details in a safe, familiar environment.
Thanks to telehealth people have better access to quality, convenient care that helps them feel more relaxed and valued on a personal level.
Originally published at https://inesdahne-steuber.com on July 15, 2022.