In recent years, you may have heard of a new medical service known as telehealth. Basically, telehealth is a technologically advanced version of healthcare that allows healthcare providers to interact remotely with patients via the internet and other digital technology. With this service, patients can receive medical care from the comfort of their own home without having to travel or wait in long lines at a doctor's office.
This revolutionary new way of accessing health care is becoming increasingly popular as more people are turning to it for their medical needs. However, due to its newness, most people have some questions about what it is and how it works. Read on to have some of your most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about telehealth addressed:
What is Telehealth and How Does It Work?
Telehealth is a form of remote healthcare delivery that allows providers to interact with patients via digital technology such as telephone, video chat, and text messaging. Through telehealth, a patient can access medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment without having to physically visit the doctor's office.
What Are Some Benefits of Telehealth?
Telehealth offers several benefits over traditional in-person healthcare visits. These include more convenient access to care, greater flexibility with scheduling appointments, improved communication between providers and patients, and cost savings. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of spreading illnesses to others being seen at the clinic or employed by the clinic since telehealth eliminates the need for patients to physically visit a healthcare facility.
Is Telehealth Covered by Insurance?
Due to its significant cost savings and the growth of modern technology, telehealth has become a respected form of medical treatment for a variety of conditions and illness. As such, the majority of health insurance plans cover telehealth services. However, not all insurance companies offer the same benefits. Thus, prior to scheduling an appointment through telehealth, be sure to contact your insurance company to see what is covered under your plan as this is the best way to avoid unexpected medical costs.
Is Telehealth Secure and Confidential?
Yes, telehealth is a secure and private way to access medical care. All data is encrypted and stored securely, which means that all conversations between providers and patients are kept confidential. Additionally, most telehealth services adhere to the same privacy laws as traditional in-person healthcare visits, so you can rest assured that your health information will remain safe whether you are seen in the office or via telehealth technology.
Is Telehealth an Option for All Doctor's Visits Regardless of The Reason?
No, telehealth is not always an option for all types of medical visits. Generally speaking, telehealth can be used to diagnose and treat non-emergency health issues such as colds, infections, minor injuries, and other common ailments. However, if the medical issue requires a physical examination, then an in-person visit would still be necessary. Additionally, certain medications and treatments may not be suitable for telehealth visits due to their complexity or severity. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine if telehealth is the best option for your medical needs. As always, it is important to recognize that different types of care such as a primary care, telehealth services, urgent care centers, and emergency rooms are all necessary in certain circumstances and work together to provide the most comprehensive healthcare possible.
What Will Happen During a Telehealth Visit?
Much like an in-office visit, during a telehealth visit, the provider will usually start by asking the patient about their medical history and current symptoms. Depending on the situation, they may also ask for additional information such as recent lab results or imaging reports. After gathering this information, the provider will then make an assessment of the patient’s condition and recommend treatment options. In some cases, a provider may even be able to provide a prescription or order additional tests. If the patient has any questions, they can ask their provider during the visit and receive answers in real time. Thus, aside from avoiding a wait and being forced to drive to an office when you are feeling your worst, Telehealth visits can provide a nearly identical medical care experience compared to a traditional office visit.
Do Telehealth Visits Last as Long as In-Person Visits?
In most cases, telehealth visits are just as comprehensive and last the same amount of time as an in-person visit. However, the duration of the appointment will depend on the complexity of the medical issue being discussed. During a telehealth visit, patients are encouraged to take notes or write down any questions they may have for their provider and in most cases, will be able to see their provider face to face through a video call providing nearly the same experience as physically visiting the practitioner’s office.
Are There Any Downfalls to Telehealth?
While Telehealth provides quite a few attractive benefits and is often able to provide nearly identical care as an in-office visit, it does come with a few limitations. One of the primary drawbacks to telehealth is that it can be difficult to build a strong relationship with your provider if you are only ever seen virtually, rather than in person. Moreover, certain medical conditions will require a physical examination to receive a proper diagnosis, which is not possible during a telehealth visit. In these cases, an in-person visit would still be necessary in order to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment for certain conditions or illnesses. That being said, despite its limitations, telehealth does provide a convenient and secure way to access medical care and can be a great option for many people especially those residing in rural areas, where medical services are limited or for those who lack the transportation necessary to be seen in person.
Will The Average Person Struggle to Navigate Telehealth Technology?
Technology is only useful if it is easy to use for the average person. Thankfully, most people will not have any trouble navigating the technology used in telehealth visits as it is designed with patients in mind. As a matter of fact, telehealth platforms are extremely user-friendly and are designed to be as straightforward and intuitive as possible, to best serve the general population. Moreover, providers are happy to help guide patients through any technical issues they may encounter during a visit. As long as the patient is comfortable using basic video chatting technology such as Skype or FaceTime, telehealth should not pose a problem.
In conclusion, telehealth options have rapidly gained popularity due to their many benefits. After learning more about this amazing advancement in medical technology, consider if telehealth could become an important part of your comprehensive medical care. With so many great reasons to choose this medical service, why not give telehealth a try the next time you are feeling under the weather!?