The outbreak of pandemic has brought about big changes in medical world. Nearly about twenty years ago, Medicare began telehealth as a benefit but was used only on limited basis. The reason behind this was the statutory restrictions. In the wake of COVID-19, policymakers are looking to telehealth as critical to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can access care with no or lesser risk of corona virus transmission. The demand for medical care and medical professionals is ever increasing with the outbreak of pandemic and with that on sight, telehealth is making a very positive contribution to healthcare. It is being used in many ways.
Telehealth is bridging the gap between people, physicians and health systems, enabling everyone to stay at home and communicate with physicians through virtual channels. It helps to reduce the spread of virus to mass populations and the medical staff on the front-lines.
The most notable benefit of adopting or bringing telehealth into use is that in case of chronic patients, they can from home have tele consultations that would avoid face to face clinic visits and hence minimize their risks of exposure to COVID-19. Along with consultation, medicines are also delivered at your door step. In other words, it means that there is access to medical care without being exposed to the risk of transmission at all.
Telehealth services can facilitate public health mitigation strategies during this pandemic by increasing social distancing. Remote access to healthcare services may increase participation for those who are medically or socially vulnerable or those who do not have access to medical care. Telehealth services can be basically used for the following purposes:
Screen patients who may have contracted or may have symptoms of COVID -19.
Provide low risk urgent care for non COVID -19 conditions.
Access primary care providers and specialists.
Provide coaching and support for patients managing chronic health condition which includes weight management and nutrition counselling.
Monitor clinical signs of certain chronic medical conditions
Engage in case management for patients who have difficulty in accessing care.
Follow up with patients after hospitalization.
Deliver advance care planning and counselling to patients and caregivers.
Provide non- emergent care to residents in long term care facilities.
Thus, in the coming days telehealth will play a major role in medical world. The main benefit of shifting to telehealth services particularly in the time of pandemic is that it minimizes the risk of exposure of virus to the patients and health care workers alike. Telehealth also helps patients to overcome barriers such as transportation, mobility issues, scheduling conflict, lack of local doctors and finding childcare.
Telehealth services also reduce costs for patients who have to drive far distances, take off from work or find childcare while visiting their healthcare provider. It is also notable that costs associated with treating the patient have been reduced and, in some cases, even keeping the patients out of the hospital. With such an advancement in technology, it would be easy and much more effective to fight a pandemic.
The post Benefits of Telehealth during COVID 19 Pandemic Situation first appeared on HPS - Health Plan Systems.