Why opt for telehealth?

Script All DNA Technologies carried out a poll yesterday on why individuals choose to opt for telehealth. 67% of the participants voted for ‘Comfort & Convenience’. ‘Increased Patient Engagement’ and ‘Less Time-Consuming’ each took 8%. 17% of the participants had other reasons. Telehealth was already an emerging concept, but the onset of the COVID pandemic has made us more cognizant about the fact that telehealth does exist.?

Telemedicine, a subset of telehealth, refers solely to the provision of health care services using electronic communication technology and software, and telemedicine is what we’ll be discussing throughout this blog. Initially when telemedicine was introduced, it faced a lot of flak for being ‘too technologically savvy’ for a section of the population or for not ensuring security of health data transmitted electronically. However, over the years, technology has progressed, and with that, so has telemedicine. Virtual platforms have adapted technologies that are easy to operate for those who are not so familiar with the online world; rules and regulations have been established to guarantee that there’s a certain degree of data privacy and security. More and more individuals are electing virtual consultations over in-person visits, and telemedicine is booming. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why someone would opt for online doctor ‘visits’ over onsite ones.?

As per our survey, 67% participants voted for ‘Comfort and Convenience’. With telemedicine, there’s no need to weave your way through traffic to meet that one appointment; there’s no need to sit in the waiting room for extended periods of time, expecting the doctor to meet you. You can consult a doctor from the comfort of your home. Your appointment with the doctor will be according to your schedule – you can decide to meet whenever you want based on your availability. Taking leave from work or arranging for child care is no longer necessary. Perhaps this is one of the reasons millennials are preferring virtual appointments with doctors.?

Patient engagement also increases with telemedicine. Patient engagement is basically empowering patients to take a more active role in monitoring and managing their health, primarily by observing their vitals and making a note of it. With telemedicine, this is easily possible. It leverages technology tools to ensure that patients are informed and aware about their daily health. For example, if you are a heart patient, you can use your smartphone to detect your heart rate and monitor fluctuations. A diabetic can measure sugar level by using home-kits and reporting the levels to the doctor.?

How telemedicine saves time is a no-brainer! In today’s world, when every minute matters and people are struggling to juggle their personal and professional lives, telemedicine is a gift. The best part – it saves time without compromising on patient satisfaction and quality. And not only patients save time, but even doctors and medical staff save time! Video visits take less time to consult than in-hospital visits. This leaves the practitioner with more time, which they can use to see more patients, thus maximizing their practice to its full potential.?

Telemedicine also increases access to specialty care. Often, we might need to consult a specialty doctor who is not easily available. Geographical location is almost always a barrier when it comes to specialty doctors. However, with telemedicine, you can now easily connect with doctors and get specialized medical services. Telemedicine for specialty care providers has become an integral part of the healthcare delivery field.?

It is undeniable that telehealth has been a driving force in enhancing healthcare, especially now when clinicians are struggling to treat COVID-infected patients and uninfected patients are hesitant to approach doctors personally due to obvious health concerns. In times like these, we realize how telehealth platforms have provided superior, efficient, and more accessible treatment. Script All DNA Technologies also has its own telehealth platform, known as PracTrace. Using this platform not only benefits the doctors, but patients also appreciate the transparency and accessibility that telemedicine brings to the table. It goes without saying that in the coming years, telemedicine will transform the way healthcare is delivered globally.?