It’s a Virtual World: The Impact of Telemedicine

Written by Dr. Laurie Pozun | Jul 6, 2022 7:33:04 PM

What is virtual healthcare? To put it simply, it is healthcare that is conducted remotely between clinicians and patients via various types of technology. This has been termed “telemedicine” and includes conferencing via telephone, video platforms, mobile apps, and text-based messaging.

Now, you may be wondering, what makes virtual healthcare so important?

Telemedicine has revolutionized the ability of healthcare systems and providers to reach and serve more patients in even distant or underserved communities than was ever possible before. Patients who otherwise have limited or no access in their own communities to general healthcare providers or specialists are now able to access that essential care in real-time. It allows patients to have visits within the comfort of their own homes or even workplaces with doctors, nurses, counselors, and dietitians.

Additionally, with the surge of telemedicine, we have seen a reduced need for emergency room or urgent care visits. A study showed that with the advent of telemedicine, emergency room visits in some communities have been reduced by as much as 28%. It is expected that telemedicine visits could result in as much as 6-billion-dollar cost savings per year for Americans.

Having more ways to access healthcare, in many cases, streamlined visits and improved the quality of care. For example, virtual healthcare platforms allow healthcare providers the ability to monitor even chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and emphysema. Acute or sick visits can be effectively done through telemedicine visits and then if an in-person physical examination or additional tests are warranted, that can be communicated and arranged.

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic forced telemedicine to the forefront, and it now seems commonplace and comfortable for healthcare providers to offer these services to patients. It is a technology within medicine that certainly appeals to both patients and providers for numerous reasons.

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