How is Telehealth Playing a Crucial Role in Patient Treatment?
We asked nurses and clinical directors how telehealth is playing a crucial role in patient treatment, and they delivered four key insights. From providing global access to care to delivering timely and high-quality care, discover how this technology is transforming healthcare.
- Provides Global Access to Care
- Facilitates Management of Chronic Conditions
- Increases Accessibility to Treatment
- Delivers Timely and High-Quality Care
Provides Global Access to Care
Telehealth has significantly enhanced the health field in several ways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual consultations became essential, enabling me to maintain continuity of care for my clients, despite the lockdowns. Since then, telehealth has allowed me to connect with clients from around the world, broadening my reach and expanding my capacity to provide support and services, particularly to women, no matter where they are located.
Facilitates Management of Chronic Conditions
Telehealth has become a vital component in healthcare, particularly in managing chronic endocrine conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Given the national shortage of endocrinologists, patients often face prolonged wait times or must travel significant distances to access specialized care. Telehealth breaks down these barriers by offering comprehensive, personalized care remotely, helping patients receive timely support and guidance regardless of location.
For individuals managing chronic conditions, frequent monitoring and timely intervention are essential to prevent complications and optimize health outcomes. Telehealth enables continuous care, allowing adjustments to treatments, medication, and lifestyle in real-time without the delays often associated with in-person visits. This immediate access improves management of complex conditions like diabetes, where maintaining tight glucose control can prevent long-term complications.
Moreover, telehealth provides the same level of individualized and expert care that patients expect from traditional visits, with the added convenience of avoiding travel and wait times. By maintaining open, frequent communication between patient and provider, telehealth supports a proactive approach to healthcare, improving both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
In today’s healthcare landscape, telehealth is not just about convenience; it’s about ensuring that high-quality, patient-centered care remains accessible, even when in-person services are limited.
Increases Accessibility to Treatment
One crucial way telehealth is playing in patient treatment is by providing greater accessibility, especially for clients who struggle to reach a physical office due to distance or disability. For those living in remote areas or dealing with mobility issues, telehealth can eliminate the need for travel, allowing them to receive care from the comfort of their home. Additionally, it adds a significant layer of convenience for clients seeking mental health treatment, as they can schedule sessions more flexibly around their daily lives without the hassle of commuting. This makes it easier for people to prioritize their mental health and stay consistent with their care.
Delivers Timely and High-Quality Care
Telehealth is a great tool for both patients and providers to deliver timely, high-quality care—with flexibility to meet the patient where they are. For evaluations that can be conducted via telehealth, we can increase access to care, decrease costs, and even reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases in some cases.
Factors that may have otherwise been prohibitive to patient care are solved by telehealth, too. You no longer have to take time off work, travel, or arrange for childcare to make it to your appointment. It saves both time and money, which helps make access to needed healthcare more equitable for everyone.
Telehealth also opens opportunities for patients in areas with limited access to get the healthcare they need. For example, access to fertility services is increasing in demand across the country, but most fertility centers are located in metro areas. By utilizing satellite clinics and telehealth consultations, patients can consult with experts they otherwise wouldn't have access to. This is true for many specialties across medicine as the capabilities with telehealth grow.
A growing area of telehealth also includes the use of patient portals, where patients can message their provider or their clinic team for non-urgent questions or clarifications. This helps eliminate the back and forth of telephone calls and also leaves a record of what was discussed to reference later.
While it's not possible to do every type of visit remotely, virtual visits are a valuable tool in helping all patients get appropriate treatment and expert care with more convenience and comfort.
