Patients want to get access to healthcare without having to travel long distances. Virtual care services enable them to do so.
A recent survey found that patients are more satisfied with telehealth visits than in-person ones. This is because they offer a range of advantages for patients.
Convenience
Virtual care services allow patients to meet with healthcare professionals without leaving the comfort of their homes. This is beneficial for those who need to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it can also be helpful for patients with mobility issues or other conditions that prevent them from traveling long distances.
Patients can access their healthcare records through mobile devices with the right telemedicine software. They can also access educational materials and other resources that will help them improve their health. This helps them feel more confident and empowered about their health, which can help increase their engagement with their healthcare providers and lead to better outcomes in the long run.
Exploring the benefits of virtual health care reveals the convenience, accessibility, and flexibility that patients gain, making it a key advancement in modern healthcare delivery for remote consultations and timely medical support.
This is especially valuable for people who live in rural areas, where they may have limited access to healthcare services. It can also save them time and money on travel expenses, childcare, and other costs incurred by going to a medical facility.
Accessibility
One of the critical obstacles that prevents patients from accessing healthcare is distance. For people living in rural communities, it can be challenging to travel long distances to reach a doctor’s office or hospital. This can lead to missed appointments, which can result in medical emergencies.
Fortunately, virtual care can help overcome these barriers. With virtual visit apps and video conferencing platforms, patients can meet with their providers without leaving the comfort of home. This allows them to avoid expensive transportation costs or the inconvenience of taking time off work to visit the doctor’s office.
Moreover, virtual care can also mitigate the impact of geographic barriers by giving patients more comprehensive access to specialists, even beyond what is available within their health insurance network. Waiving copayments and providing other incentives for virtual care could also encourage uptake among populations less likely to adopt telehealth solutions.
Availability
Patients can access virtual healthcare services via video call or phone. These virtual appointments can be scheduled easily and quickly, reducing wait times. They also allow patients to maintain social distancing norms at home while interacting with their doctor.
Virtual appointments can also be convenient for patients with mobility issues. They don’t need to find a ride or struggle with parking, which can be challenging in cities. And if they need to take a test like a COVID-19 swab, they don’t have to worry about traveling or using protective gear, as they would for a physical exam.
As the world moves to a digital health landscape, HR leaders must understand how virtual care fits into a comprehensive employee benefits package. They can help their employees get the most out of these offerings, utilizing them when appropriate and recognizing when in-person care is more suitable.
Flexibility
Virtual care (telehealth, telemedicine, and remote visits) allows patients to connect with their healthcare provider outside the doctor’s office. This can include video chats, phone calls, or using a device to monitor and transmit patient data, like blood sugar or heart rate.
One of the most significant benefits for many patients is its flexibility. Patients can make appointments after work, on weekends, or from the comfort of their own homes. This makes it easier for them to follow up on their symptoms or treatment plans.
However, it’s important to remember that virtual services are only helpful if the patient has access to a reliable device and internet connection. This means that some people may not be able to use this type of service, especially if they live in rural areas. But this area can be quickly addressed by providing low-cost or free devices and internet services to those who need them.
Transparency
Virtual care services enable patients to connect with their providers without leaving the comfort of their own homes. This is especially appealing to those with medical anxiety or who may not want to expose themselves to others while seeking care. It also helps maintain social distancing norms during health emergencies.
The convenience of virtual care benefits healthcare providers, too. It allows them to keep their practices open and solvent during health scares and provide the service to a larger population of patients.
Telehealth technologies should be expanded to reach underserved patient populations, such as those in rural areas. Waiving copayments, offering virtual-setup services during in-person visits, establishing small outpost clinics for synchronous video, and expanding asynchronous virtual options are just a few ways to encourage adoption by these communities. These actions can help increase the number of in-person visits converted to telemedicine and improve patient satisfaction.
Cost
Virtual care can be more affordable than traditional in-person services, especially for patients with mobility issues. People with disabilities who require a wheelchair or experience pain walking can save time and energy by sitting down at home to speak with their healthcare provider instead of having to travel long distances to visit a physical office.
While there are a few situations where physical exams must be performed in person (for example, COVID-19 testing requires nose and throat swabs), most virtual health care services can be done remotely. Additionally, many telemedicine services are covered by insurance and may be eligible for HSA/FSH.
Virtual healthcare services are becoming more convenient for patients and providers. For healthcare organizations that want to meet the demands of today’s consumers, incorporating telehealth into their service model is essential.
