Telemedicine enables clinicians and physicians to provide an enhanced array of services to their patients. It grants increasing accessibility to medical care for remote clients who might not otherwise be able to take advantage of in-person visits, chronic illness follow-ups or the updating of electronic health records.
Although the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic opened the door to these unprecedented types of medical interventions, they show every indication of continuing even after the worst of the health emergency has subsided.
Benefits of telemedicine for patients
It is no accident that telehealth remains popular. Patients love the improved access to providers that it brings about, appreciating the convenience and flexibility that they receive when they do not need to juggle work and child-care challenges in order to visit their physician.
Additionally, travel time and costs are drastically reduced without compromising the quality of care. Moreover, HIPAA compliance in payment processing provides assurance that client security remains a priority, meaning that they can rest easy about the health information they provide electronically.
Benefits of telemedicine for providers
Like their clients, providers are also reaping the rewards that go hand-in-hand with virtual health care. When clinicians and other staff are able to spend more quality time with the people they serve, they can offer a higher standard of direct care, advice, education and follow-up attention.
The dedicated software that is now being made available to these companies by telemedicine merchant accounts helps to ensure that billing is accurate and streamlined, featuring fewer logistical nightmares that can slow down the resolution of invoices, and result in patient frustration, even medical noncompliance.
Providers are realizing enhanced scheduling flexibility thanks to telehealth. The reality is that this intervention style allows for more appointments per day, as well as enabling short visits to be interspersed between in-person appointments.
Additionally, providers can be on call for telemedicine outside of regular business time, allowing for increased billable hours and increased profits.
Perhaps most importantly, virtual health services lead to fewer no-shows and higher rates of compliance. This benefits patients and providers alike, making care for chronic conditions more effective, and potentially even reducing emergency room visits and hospitalization rates.
Telemedicine is not and never will be a complete replacement for in-person care. Clearly, there are numerous situations when face-to-face visits are not only desirable, but required.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt that remote care is not only possible, but can often be highly effective in providing preventive treatments, managing chronic disease symptoms as well as furnishing quality post-op follow-up care.
Less tangible but equally important, these remote services make it possible for patients to maintain an ongoing relationship with their doctor, opening avenues for dialogue that can further enhance long-term health outcomes.
