The spread of COVID-19 has been a wakeup call for healthcare providers when it comes to delivery methods. 

With the necessity of social distancing and most people staying home, a shift to telehealth, virtual visits, and digital solutions was essential to continue providing medical care. This allowed physicians to observe, diagnose and even treat patients remotely, while saving resources and freeing up limited physical space by cutting down on overcrowded waiting rooms. 

Moreover, increased use of electronic health records formed efficient communication channels between care-providers and those in need of care. 

As we move onwards, expect to see further improvements in how healthcare is given; with these advancements allowing greater access to medical services and reduced overall costs.

Primary care is essential in delivering healthcare services. But finding a suitable PCP can be time-consuming and difficult. Patients with chronic illnesses or those seeking preventative care are complaining of being unable to find a proper PCP. Although the supply of PCPs has increased rapidly in recent years, this has become the situation.

Telehealth goes Mainstream

As the telehealth industry expands, so will the demand for general physicians. These doctors will be in charge of supervising patients who use telemedicine to treat chronic diseases.

General physicians usually work in private clinics, hospitals, or pharmaceutical corporations. They collaborate with other experts, such as nurse practitioners and assistants. Due to the pervasiveness of technology, telehealth has emerged as a viable alternative for bridging the care gap. 

Telehealth is becoming more widely used in the healthcare business. As more individuals have access to the internet, they use it daily. As a result, there is a growing demand for telehealth services. It allows patients to communicate with doctors via video calls or email.

The most severe risk with telemedicine is privacy. While at home, it might be challenging to tune out all the distractions that await your attention. Concentrating on a talk with your doctor is challenging when children run around. They are rattling in the background.

Another issue of concern might be access. Many individuals need stable internet connections that are fast enough for video conversations. It can be challenging. That’s why phone appointments are available. These phone meetings are like routine office visits. No special equipment is required. There is no extra cost beyond what you usually pay for your primary care plan.

Digital Health Embraced by Consumers and Providers

The application of digital technology in healthcare is called “digital health.” Digital health may be utilized to enhance chronic illness management. It also lowers total expenses for both patients and providers.

People can have access to information on their medical issues. They can make use of this information to make educated health decisions. The worst-case scenario is an urgent need for medical attention. You may need clarification about which doctor can see you right away. Even so, here’s how you may locate a primary care physician.

1. On a telehealth website, look for a provider. You may find over 300,000 physicians that are available for video chat appointments. Some can use the service, and certain physicians may charge you.

2. Contact your insurance provider. Inquire if they can recommend any telehealth primary care physicians in your region. You might also contact your local hospital or clinic to see if they have any suggestions.

3. Look out for local listings on Yelp or Angi’s List. Both websites allow you to search by area and specialty. You may locate someone nearby that concentrates mainly on telehealth services.

General practitioners can enjoy digital health as well (GPs). They can control the chronic illnesses of their patients. A general practitioner (GP) is a doctor who handles common infections and minor injuries.  Their area of work is in a clinic or private practice. They usually see the entire family of a patient.

Primary care is experiencing a rebirth due to the emergence of digital health. More individuals than ever before are looking for a general practitioner to serve as their primary care physician.

EHRs are Expanding

Electronic health records are becoming more common and better. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has suggested requiring physicians and hospitals to adopt electronic health record systems to provide the government with precise electronic data on patients. It would improve the approach of sending paper forms, which could be more efficient and efficient.

After COVID-19, healthcare practitioners worldwide have had to modify their practices and processes to fulfill their patients’ demands. The transition to EHRs is a logical development for healthcare professionals, allowing them to address patients’ requirements on an unprecedented scale. 

Furthermore, they will enable providers to leverage technology in ways they never imagined possible before. An EHR has the following advantages:

• Increased departmental efficiency
• Reduced mistakes as a result of fewer paper documents
• Spending more time with patients
• Improved communication among employees
• Improved data tracking across all departments

Technology is transforming healthcare delivery in various ways, from enhancing communication between patients and physicians to lowering expenses associated with paperwork and invoicing.

However, there are several obstacles to integrating electronic health records and other modern technology into healthcare systems. For instance, hospitals may need more resources to recruit enough full-time workers to work on these initiatives.

Another problem is ensuring that all data is safe when a company utilizes cloud storage or software services like Dropbox or Google Drive instead of keeping its servers in a nearby physical location.

One method healthcare providers may use to keep their EHRs safe is regularly updating them with new software updates. These fixes are part of a continuing effort to safeguard software from being hacked or otherwise compromised. They can also aid in preventing infections such as COVID-19 by stopping malware from being uploaded into medical centers.

Remote Monitoring Grows Rapidly

Remote monitoring is quickly expanding. The variety of gadgets in use rose over more than 20% each year during the last three years. The rising demand for telehealth and remote monitoring of patients partly fuels its expansion. It can reduce their expenses.

Remote monitoring enables healthcare personnel to communicate with patients via video conversations. Physicians can also communicate through text messaging, email, and other means. These services ensure that patients receive the care they must, even when not at home or in the hospital.

Remote monitoring enables patients to get care from the comfort of their own homes rather than in a hospital or clinic setting. It lowers demand on overburdened hospitals and clinics. It can also assist individuals in better managing their symptoms.

When patients are doing well, remote monitoring can decrease the need for unneeded testing and end the need for physical visits. It also aids in the prevention of over-treatment of otherwise healthy patients. It can prevent illness transmission by making it easier for caregivers to trace the mobility of persons who may have COVID-19. For example, family members visit a loved one at home.

Final Thoughts

A significant milestone has been attained. Those of you who work in the digital health industry are aware of this. Anybody interested in medical devices can vouch for this. Telehealth is widely used and accepted. Consumers, businesses, and healthcare providers are all on board. The sector is expanding at a rapid pace.

Health care is rapidly evolving, and patients must adapt. Remote monitoring is gaining momentum due to innovative devices. Telehealth has a bright future. Both consumers and providers are firmly in favor of making it a standard element of healthcare.

According to research, telehealth patients have better health outcomes. They are more likely to follow up on their medications and seek suggested therapy. This technology is still in its infancy. There is undoubtedly room for change in the coming years as it matures into a mainstream method to care delivery.

With COVID-19, medical professionals and patients would be aware of these advancements and have to hunt for them manually. COVID-19 allows consumers and providers to track improvements and save total healthcare costs. This knowledge will serve as the foundation for a unique ecosystem, catalyzing the next stage of health services.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What technologies are employed in telehealth?

Telehealth refers to the use of technology to offer health care remotely. The technologies deployed in telehealth include

• Video conference programs enable doctors to communicate with patients through video calling from a distance.
• Telemedicine software allows doctors to communicate with patients via text, email, and other means.
• Cellular networks that enable real-time data exchange between doctors and their patients

What exactly is the goal of telehealth?

In general, telehealth’s purpose is to allow patients to communicate with clinicians without traveling to their offices or clinic. Telehealth can include video chat services, encrypted messaging tools, and online portals where patients can complete health-related questionnaires.

What are the advantages of telehealth?

Telehealth is an excellent approach to delivering treatment to persons who cannot travel to the doctor. It also assists patients who are unable to keep their appointments or who are unable to obtain transportation to the doctor’s office.

Moreover, telehealth services can help doctors give care in rural places without enough doctors. It is especially true for mental health concerns, which can be challenging to treat if not addressed promptly.

Telehealth also provides the benefit of reaching people who would otherwise be unable to receive medical care. They can be too busy at work or school or want to avoid people knowing they are seeking treatment.

What is the role of EHR in healthcare?

The function of EHR in healthcare is to enhance the quality of care while lowering costs by allowing access to patient information, decreasing duplicative testing, and optimizing workflow.

What are the advantages of an EHR system?

EHRs offer several benefits, which include:

• EHR makes it easier for clinicians to access patient information, improving care quality.
• It makes patients feel more at ease regarding their confidentiality.
• Reduces the need for duplicate patient records, saving time and money