The growing demand for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic is a popular topic in the healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals are advising people to stay home to help “flatten the curve,” but that can be difficult with patients seeking medical care.
Patients are beginning to avoid routine care due to the virus, which has left doctor’s offices with empty waiting rooms. Many healthcare providers are now adopting telehealth so that patients can get medical care right from the comfort of their own home.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care. These technologies include videoconferencing, internet and streaming media. Healthcare professionals are able to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients via telecommunications. The rise of telehealth and telemedicine has the potential to improve the quality of care and make healthcare accessible to more people. This is crucial especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why should I add telehealth to my practice?
Adding telehealth to your practice can help bring healthcare services to those who need it most. Not only are you treating patients, but the continued expansion of telehealth services also keeps providers safe and prevents them from spreading illness to other patients.
Telehealth provides the following benefits:
Increased access to healthcare
With telehealth, you are capable of expanding your reach to include more patients than ever. This allows you to reach those in rural areas as well as outside the normal care delivery systems. Since COVID-19 is changing the way we live, integrating telehealth into your practice allows you to be readily available for those who need medical attention.
Increased practice efficiency
Telehealth can help increase clinical workflow efficiency, meaning that it can improve communication by capturing, storing and using patient data for greater medical decision making.
Reduced healthcare costs
A trip to the doctor’s office is no easy commute in most cases. Patients spend a lot of time and money when seeking healthcare. Fortunately, with telehealth, patients can seek professional medical attention by using their smartphone or laptop.
Improved support for patients and families
Many telehealth applications empower patients to take a more proactive role in their healthcare. Patients can also stay in their home and get the support they need from their family members.
Helps the environment
With the increase of state-wide lockdowns and stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, air pollution has drastically decreased. Telehealth helps decrease the air pollution by reducing travel to obtain necessary care.
Your healthcare goals mean everything to us. Get started with telemedicine today with LEVO Health’s Telehealth Activation team. Call us at 855-234-0232 or email [email protected] for more information.
