Telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular with doctors and patients. The convenient, easy-to-use technology has expanded patient access to important health services. This guide will explore several telemedicine benefits and how it has helped improve healthcare access for specific patient groups.
Helps Diagnosis
Getting an appointment at a doctor’s office can sometimes take a few weeks. With telemedicine services, patients are able to see a doctor from the comfort of their own home in just a few minutes. If a patient wakes up with a fever or notices a rash that has developed suddenly, he or she can get it checked out that same day with a virtual consultation. This could enable faster diagnosis and an easier treatment process.
Telemedicine also helps patients who are seeking a second opinion about a health issue. According to PinnacleCare, lack of access to doctors and medical centers is a major reason people don’t seek a second opinion. With telemedicine services, patients are able to have a doctor take a second look at their health concern, and this could give the patient peace of mind and guide him or her to new treatments. Telemedicine is particularly convenient for patients who need frequent follow-up care. They are able to have a follow-up appointment from their home, making it easier for them to attend and increasing their rapport with their physician.
Greater Rural Patient Coverage
Rural areas can have very limited access to medical care, and patients from these areas may have to travel hundreds of miles to attend a clinic appointment. According to ezTalks, telemedicine enables patients in rural areas to see a doctor much more easily and quickly than would otherwise be possible. Even in rural areas with primary care doctors, patients may only be able to choose from two or three different healthcare providers, and they might not have access to specialists. By using telemedicine, patients are able to choose from more doctors, and they can easily contact specialists for their particular health condition. These benefits could potentially improve the quality of the care they receive and provide a better treatment outcome.
Increased Access for Uninsured Patients
Patients without health insurance are often unable to see a doctor at all, and those who do may only be able to obtain medical care at community clinics or county health departments. This situation may have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life, and it tends to make treatment outcomes worse. Even when uninsured patients are able to see a doctor, they may not have access to the highest quality care, and they might not receive the latest treatments.
Many telemedicine services accept uninsured patients, and according to Healthcare Innovation, they are much cheaper than a typical in-person consultation. They have a much wider range of doctors and specialists than most community clinics and health departments, and patients who use telemedicine may be able to receive updated advice on the latest treatments for their health concerns. Since many telemedicine services have evening and weekend availability, the patient won’t have to take time off of work to go to a doctor’s appointment.
As technology continues to improve, the field of telemedicine will continue to grow. Major health insurers and healthcare networks now provide their own telemedicine services, and telemedicine companies are developing as well. In the coming years, telemedicine may expand patient access even more, and more and more doctors will hopefully be inspired to participate in this important health service.
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