The growth of telemedicine as a result of the epidemic is unprecedented. Telehealth visits increased by 50% in March, according to CNBC, with telemedicine companies like Teledoc reporting more than 15,000 video call requests each day. However, because it is such a new platform, there are still a lot of patients who have unresolved questions. This may cause some patients to be hesitant to attempt telehealth in the first place, even if it is the more convenient alternative for them.
As a result, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding telehealth and how to respond to them. You can anticipate and eliminate reluctance from the start in this manner.
Will telehealth provide me with an accurate diagnosis?
Physical exams aren’t always required to detect and treat some diseases, as doctors know. This is because, when paired with doctor-patient interaction, medical history accounts for 90 percent of the evaluation. Not to mention, the ability to transmit and receive photo uploads via telehealth platforms can provide extra visual information that might help with diagnosis.
It’s also worth noting that telehealth platforms aren’t appropriate for every circumstance. Remote visits are only appropriate in specific circumstances, and if the physician determines that the patient cannot be properly treated through video, an in-person appointment can be scheduled. Furthermore, telemedicine can enhance outcomes by making it simpler for individuals to follow through on follow-up advice and aftercare, resulting in fewer hospital visits overall.
Is telehealth a costly option?
The quick answer is that telehealth does not cost a lot of money. Dr. Mariea Snell discusses that more and more health insurance companies, as well as Medicaid and Medicare, are reimbursing the usage of telehealth in an article titled “5 Ways Telehealth is Taking Modern Healthcare to the Next Level.” As a result, telehealth is perceived as a more viable and reliable method. Furthermore, telehealth enables individuals to take control of their health and be proactive in resolving problems before they develop. As a result, the cost of travel is lower, and hospital visits are less frequent in the long term.
However, as a profession, it might be difficult to persuade patients of the benefits of telemedicine. Maryville University’s online MSN programme, on the other hand, demonstrates how the next generation of nurses is being educated for this digital shift in patient care. As more graduates transition to these positions, they will be better able to educate patients about the benefits of telehealth in the future. One essential part of this is demonstrating to them how much less expensive it is than traditional techniques. So, if you’re not up to speed on how cost-effective it is, you’ll need to be ready to put your patients’ minds at ease when they inquire about prices.
What conditions may telehealth be used to treat?
Telehealth may be used to diagnose problems in a variety of fields. Doctors can give you a range of diagnoses, ranging from rashes and sinus infections to mental health and drug addiction therapy. Telehealth platforms may now be used for post-operative check-ins and examining lab findings.
Is it possible to acquire a prescription through telehealth?
According to our writer Skye Green, the quick answer is yes, a patient can get medications via telehealth appointments. Medication refills and e-prescribing can be done through a patient portal or pharmacy app. Even better, by limiting travels to the pharmacy, mail-order medicines can assure complete safety. This, however, is conditional on the diagnosis. Doctors can simply e-prescribe the prescription and send it immediately to the local pharmacy if no additional in-person tests are required.
Is telehealth a safe option?
According to a survey on telehealth use conducted by cybersecurity company CynergisTek, 48 percent of respondents would be hesitant to utilise virtual care again if their health information was exposed as a result of a telehealth-related incident. This is why reassuring patients that only secure platforms would be utilised is critical. To preserve and protect your business and patient data, make sure your telemedicine services have all of the essential security certifications. This is critical not only for data security, but also for maintaining doctor-patient confidentiality.
