There were times when both patients and the doctors had to travel long for healthcare services. Then came technology, and with technology came telehealth services. Developed in the U.S., it was a way to address care shortages, especially in remote rural areas. Telehealth has come a long way since then. Now telemedicine is used around the world. It is available in third-world countries with healthcare services. And it allows an elderly patient with mobility issues to see the doctor from home. All kinds of health services are provided by telehealth. The most popular telehealth services are of mental health and women. Telemedicine has broken the geographical barriers to care access. Moreover, it made the entire healthcare delivery model more convenient for patients.
Convenience
Convenience is something you look forward to. Everything people do in life is according to their convenience. If it is not convenient, then the idea is either dropped or made convenient. Telehealth gives you what you always look for, that is, convenience. Telehealth is not only convenient for patients but also the doctors. It is easier for doctors to check on their patients with telehealth. Also, patients can contact the doctor anytime. The follow-ups have become so easy with this. You are just one video call away from the doctor. Doctors can connect to more number of patients than they usually do.
Accessibility
Another thing that people look for is accessibility. All goods and services should be within reach. But this is not possible every time. This can be a huge disappointment. But you will not face this disappointment with telehealth. Telehealth is accessible from anywhere and everywhere. Long gone are the days when you used to travel for a doctor’s appointment. Nowadays, you can book an appointment from anywhere around the world. Whether you are at home or some other place. It also benefits the doctors as some patients cannot visit the hospital. With telehealth services, neither you nor your doctor has to go anywhere. You can talk to your doctor sitting comfortably at home.
Comfortable for all
The biggest change that telehealth has made is providing people with comfort. It is not uncommon that people get conscious and uncomfortable at the doctor’s appointment. This mostly happens at a psychiatrist, psychologist or a gynecologist’s office. People are uncomfortable or might be conscious, or embarrassed with strangers around them. With telehealth, all these things are gone. Telehealth gives you an option to sit at home, in your comfort zone, and talk to your doctor. People do not have to be conscious of anything in their own homes. Also, the appointment goes smoothly, and the doctor understands your problems clearly.
Made specialist consultation easy
There are a lot of times when the primary care doctor has to consult a specialist for a patient’s condition. With regular healthcare services, this can take some time. Now with telehealth services, this has become more time-saving. The primary care doctor can immediately connect with the specialist. Also, the patients can consult the specialist with just one click. As a patient, you talk to both the doctors, at the same time. This helps to understand and solve the patient’s problem better.
Bottom Line
Tele-healthcare services have made healthcare a lot easy. And in this time of covid-19, it is a boon to the world. Covid-19 is easily transferable, and people need to maintain distance from others. In this situation, telehealth is a blessing. You do not have to wait for long hours to see your doctor. They are just one click away. There is no doubt that telehealth has changed healthcare services for the better.
Discussion about this post