How COVID-19 Spread the Acceptance of Digital Provider-Patient Interactions and Telehealth
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected not only patients in need of medical care but also the professionals who provide that care. Both groups have been reluctant to engage in in-person visits for treatment or checkups. If anything good has come out of the pandemic, it is the growth of telehealth. Although telehealth technology has been around for years, neither patients nor providers have fully embraced it. But the arrival of COVID-19 changed everything — and our acceptance of virtual healthcare will likely continue even after the virus subsides.
Patients, providers, and telehealth
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have postponed well visits and treatment for health conditions out of fear of the virus. And physicians have been reluctant to schedule outpatient care for fear of spreading the virus from patient to patient. For these reasons, patient health has been suffering and healthcare providers are hurting financially.
One solution might be telehealth or virtual patient-provider interactions. A survey conducted by doctor.com of 1,800 U.S. patients found that 71% of patients had considered telemedicine and 50% had already had a virtual appointment. A European survey showed that most older patients preferred virtual consultations to in-person visits, and another study showed that providers like the option of telehealth and want to continue to use it. Mobile health (mHealth) — accessing healthcare via a smartphone or tablet — is a subcategory of telehealth and is growing in popularity, especially among millennials.
Benefits of telehealth and mHealth
Telehealth has been around for several years, but COVID-19 caused a surged in its use and acceptance. That trend will likely continue after the pandemic subsides. Telehealth and mHealth will continue to be popular options because of the many benefits, such as the following:
Reduced exposure to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
The ability to provide care wherever the patient is, including at home
No need to travel, especially in bad weather
No need to take off from work or get childcare
Shorter wait times to see a provider
Greater access to specialists who live farther away
Easy sharing of data with other providers
Patients can access their medical records and be more involved in their own healthcare
mHealth tools can alert healthcare professionals of any changes in a patient’s condition
Tracking of symptoms in real time for quick diagnoses and expert feedback
Human errors are reduced through electronic recordkeeping and real-time data collection
Telehealth going forward
Although many look at telemedicine as simply a stop-gap measure during the coronavirus emergency, many healthcare experts believe it’s here to stay. The associated benefits and convenience make it a viable and valuable option for the long term. In fact, many patients started choosing healthcare providers based on whether they use telehealth and mHealth technologies.
In the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition survey, more than 75% of surveyed physicians said they’d like to continue using telehealth for chronic disease management. Telehealth can alleviate provider shortages, provide better patient care and engagement, and reduce healthcare costs.
Telehealth is a win for all parties involved in healthcare, as well as the healthcare revenue cycle. Providers are key to maintaining the momentum created by the forced adoption of digital healthcare. Providing a positive, safe, and secure digital experience for patients will ensure that they continue to choose telehealth options.
