Telemedicine: 6 Benefits for Patients Today
Did you know that telemedicine has been part of our health care system for decades? A virtual doctor’s appointment or consulting a physician online is a great way to receive care from wherever you are. All you need is a device with a camera and internet access to communicate with your doctor in real-time.
Let’s look at the key benefits of telemedicine for your health outcomes today.
1. Unmatched Convenience
The biggest barrier to receiving health care is time. Think of a routine dental appointment, for example. You have to take time out of your everyday schedule to drive to the dentist’s office, sit in the waiting room, have your check-up, then go back home.
Patients with young kids often have to find a babysitter, which also adds to the cost and inconvenience of doctor’s appointments. With telemedicine, you can get online with your physician from your couch or bed whenever you’re ready.
2. Same or Better Quality of Care
A vast majority of health care services don’t need an in-person appointment. These include mental health, senior care, pain management, physical therapy, and more. Dental care also uses cameras to capture images of your teeth for a routine check-up, reserving x-rays for further diagnosis or extractions.
When you don’t require a blood test or physical exam, your telemedicine physician can use a camera and internet connection to give you the same kind of patient care. These essential tools are enough to observe your symptoms, and they’re now more accessible than ever with smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
3. Health Care with Or Without Insurance
Most health insurance providers cover telemedicine, including Medicaid and Medicare. However, there are plenty of patients who don’t have health insurance, and this is where virtual doctor appointments are a life saver.
An in-person appointment typically costs much more than a virtual appointment, especially if you don’t need any prescriptions, tests, or physical follow-ups. The out-of-pocket cost of seeing your doctor online is more affordable if you don’t have health insurance, so there’s no reason to skip your appointments or medications.
4. Minimized Exposure to Infectious Pathogens
Virtual doctor’s appointments reduce the spread of infectious diseases like Covid-19, the flu, and others. Vulnerable patients like pregnant women, seniors, children, or chronically sick individuals can avoid waiting rooms or contact with other infected patients.
Telemedicine also protects health care practitioners since they can maintain high service standards without needing personal protection equipment (PPE).
5. Active Family Involvement
Telemedicine brings together family members who live or work far from their sick relatives. You can authorize your next of kin to join you for your online doctor’s appointment to keep them informed about your health outcomes.
This is much better than waiting for your ill relative to let you know how their appointment goes, especially if the patient cannot speak or recall all the details.
6. Better Emergency Care
A telemedicine program shines during medical emergencies which don’t require a trip to the ER or calling 911. For example, infants often get sick in the middle of the night, and it’s usually nothing more than a fever. It’s also better to consult your doctor online instead of searching for solutions for minor problems online.
Mental health patients also need their therapist or psychiatrist for emergencies. If you’re at risk of self-harm or prone to panic attacks, a quick connection to your telemedicine doctor will improve your mental health outcomes.
Schedule Your Telemedicine Appointment Today
A virtual doctor’s appointment is easy and convenient for all patients. It takes a few easy steps to connect with your doctor online:
- Schedule the ideal time for the meeting on the phone or through email
- Ensure that your laptop, smartphone, or tablet has enough battery power to last for the appointment
- Check that your internet connection is stable enough for a video call
- Test your device’s microphone to ensure clear audio for your video call
- Choose a well-lit room to help your doctor to see you clearly. Visual assessments are a vital part of medical diagnosis
- Have enough room to move if your doctor requires it. You may need to stand up, perform specific exercises, or move your device camera for a closer look at your symptoms
As you can see, a virtual doctor’s appointment is a straightforward solution for your health care needs. Get in touch with your physician to learn more about telemedicine today.