While telehealth visits have been available for years, they soared in popularity when the pandemic forced physicians’ offices to close to non-COVID patients. Telehealth appointments provided an option for healthcare facilities to continue to offer consultations while eliminating the potential risk of exposure a patient might encounter by visiting in person.
Medical teams quickly recognized these six key benefits, which is why many offices are keeping this type of visit as an option for anyone who needs an appointment for a non-urgent condition.
1. Improve access to care
For people living in rural communities where there may be fewer healthcare options, telehealth provides greater access to a variety of providers, including specialists. Telehealth can also benefit patients without proper transportation or those who have special circumstances, such as a language barrier or limited mobility.
2. Reduce costs
For medical professionals, telemedicine can reduce the expenses of caring for patients, such as the purchase of examining room supplies. For the patient, these virtual visits eliminate costs related to getting to the location, such as gas, parking, or childcare.
3. Increase patient and provider satisfaction
It can be frustrating to wait for a doctor who is running late. Unlike in-office appointments, telehealth visits allow patients to remain in the comfort of their own homes if a physician is delayed. Because these appointments are convenient, they can help improve patient satisfaction and engagement. Telehealth visits also have intangible benefits for providers. It can be challenging and stressful to be a healthcare worker during the pandemic, but telemedicine makes it easier to meet with patients safely, which can improve job satisfaction for nurses and doctors.
4. Save time
Instead of traveling to a physician’s office, patients call or log in at a specified time, which removes the hassle of commuting to an appointment and sitting in a waiting room. As a result, patients won’t need to take a lot of time off work. They may even be able to schedule their visit during a lunch hour or before or after work.
5. Eliminate issues with child or elder care
Many people are caring for children or elderly parents, especially as schools and some adult daycares are closed. Telehealth visits solve the challenge of finding care alternatives which patients would need if they went for an in-person visit. This can eliminate as significant source of stress for the patient.
6. Keep patients safer
Simply put, people go to the doctor’s office when they are sick, and while many facilities have special waiting areas for contagious people, there is still a risk that an otherwise healthy patient could pick up something. Telehealth visits keep as many people as possible at home, so that fewer germs are spread.
As healthcare facilities add more virtual services and appointments, they’ll need healthcare professionals to deliver them. A Fortis nursing education can help you get your start as a telehealth nurse. Click here for more information or call us today at (855) 436-7847 and speak to one of our career counselors.