Telemedicine is certainly not new in our society. Popularized and made common by the pandemic, telemedicine has recently seen a rise in the last few years. In a post-Covid report from McKinsey, 40% of surveyed consumers stated that they would continue to use telehealth services, with almost 60% expressing interest in broader virtual health solutions.
For citizens in rural or less urbanized areas, access to healthcare via telemedicine helped slow the spread of infection at the heights of the pandemic. Today, telemedicine is still being used globally to improve access to care and convenience for patients with various medical concerns. In today’s post, we’ll look at some of the reasons you should try telemedicine for your health:
Discreet consults on sensitive health topics
For some people, it can be embarrassing for some people to visit their doctors for specific conditions. Some health conditions hold different social stigmas or aesthetic concerns that may hinder patients from seeking proper care and treatment. Telemedicine, however, makes it easier to talk to your doctor comfortably from the privacy of your home. Remote nurse practitioners that are operating in Minnesota help treat patients suffering from sensitive health issues, including aging, acne, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and premature ejaculation. Remote nurse practitioners are certified and qualified for virtual diagnosis and treatments for various conditions from the privacy of a patient’s home. If you have medical concerns or clarifications that you’re hesitant to share publicly, consulting remotely is a discreet way to ensure you still get proper and trustworthy care.
Reduced travel time and spending
Another benefit to trying telehealth services instead of relying on in-person clinic or office visits is the time and money you save in the long term. As telemedicine can be accessed from home or anywhere you have a device and connection to the Internet, you’ll be able to save on commutes or other transportation expenses such as gas in the long run. A study on mental health service use in Finland found that increased travel time may be associated with fewer mental health-related visits. Patients living in sparsely populated outskirts must travel farther and face potential transportation problems such as scarcity or lack of public transport, hindering them from accessing the mental help they need. The use of telemedicine eliminates this hindrance by allowing you to access your mental health services from the comfort of your home. Some mental telehealth services even offer options to retain anonymity if you are hesitant about making yourself known to your provider.
Improved healthcare quality
Telemedicine doesn’t just offer increased privacy and convenience for patients and healthcare professionals alike. Aside from cutting costs, telehealth services are also found to provide improved quality of care compared to traditional healthcare methods. A recent study on an integrated health system between Pennsylvania and Maryland found that patients with telemedicine exposure had comparable or better performance in quality, particularly for chronic disease management and prevention. More importantly, most remote practitioners in primary care specialties across the study have a high prospect for preventing costly and preventable diseases, helping researchers understand how telemedicine is clinically valuable compared to other clinical areas. Other clinical areas where telemedicine performs as well as or comparatively better than office-only care include diabetes and counseling-based measures such as depression screening.
Flexible schedules for questions and concerns
Lastly, telemedicine offers significant flexibility in scheduling and timing consultations and treatments. Health patients often miss appointed schedules or follow-up consultations for unforeseeable reasons, such as last-minute schedule changes or getting stuck in traffic. Telemedicine helps eliminate this hurdle by allowing patients to consult with healthcare professionals at convenient and flexible times in case of emergencies or concerns. While there are many online resources for medical help and advice, a remote healthcare professional for your needs can clarify or confirm anything you read online and whether they suit your health conditions before you try them. Visit Healthy Life Vision for more exciting health articles, and remember to always consult with your trusted healthcare provider.
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