By Dr. Russell R. Barksdale
Who hasn’t waited patiently in a doctor’s office or looked for an appointment with a specialist only to be told the next available appointment is weeks or months away?
While telemedicine has seen significant growth in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic, many healthcare professionals now see the technology’s increased utilization as a necessary requirement to improve timely access to quality healthcare.
Today, the U.S. faces increasing rates of chronic conditions, an aging population, and a growing physician shortage. This comes at a time when our healthcare workers are facing crisis levels of overwork and our communities’ demand for more equitable health care increases. Physician extenders, advanced practice nurses, and physicians’ assistants have addressed some of these professional shortage issues; however, adequate staffing levels are eroding for many healthcare systems.
Despite the finite nature of health care resources, advances in technology — from virtual care solutions to remote patient monitoring devices — have forged a new, more flexible path for remote health care delivery with telemedicine at the forefront. With telemedicine, patients can now receive medical advice, diagnosis, disease management, proper medication adjustments, and treatment from the comfort of home, increasing access to care and eliminating physical barriers created by capacity, distance, or transportation.
Research findings show 88% of physicians surveyed believe telemedicine has increased patient access to health care, with many reporting reduced wait times, improved adherence to treatment plans, and decreased no-show rates. Their opinions are supported by recent data analysis that timely access to healthcare services reduces 911 calls, non-emergent emergency department visits, post-operative surgical complications, and critical hospital readmissions post-discharge. Additionally, a considerable portion of physicians surveyed reported that telemedicine has improved their ability to manage their schedules and positively impacted their feelings of autonomy and work-life balance.
Beyond expanding access to health care, telemedicine may also increase patients’ willingness to seek medical attention. A recent study indicated that 70% of patients may be more likely to consult with a doctor virtually, with convenience and efficiency being primary drivers of adoption.
Among patients who participated in a telemedicine visit in the past year, 85% said it resulted in equivalent or superior quality of care, with the majority reporting increased satisfaction.
As the digitization of health care continues, telemedicine is poised to maintain a pivotal role in health care delivery. Telemedicine and in-person care are not mutually exclusive, uniting both can reduce costs, expand access, and improve care. With further implementation of best practices, telemedicine’s capacity to personalize care models, promote continuity of care, and improve patient outcomes will only be strengthened.
Telemedicine offers several advantages:
Accessibility: Patients have the convenience of consulting healthcare professionals from their home, bypassing the necessity of traveling to an office, clinic, or hospital. This proves particularly beneficial for individuals facing mobility challenges or juggling hectic schedules.
Autonomy: Telemedicine fosters autonomy, addressing concerns among disabled individuals and seniors who often perceive themselves as burdens, allowing them to prioritize cherished moments with family in more familiar and social settings.
Cost-effectiveness: Telemedicine can reduce non-productive time and costs associated with traffic, parking fees, and waiting room intervals. It also reduces the opportunity costs of time spent away from work or other obligations. For patients who have mobility issues, they are too often overly reliant on family members and social networks for assistance; thereby, doubling non-productive time.
Efficiency: Telemedicine can streamline the healthcare process by reducing wait times for appointments and enabling quicker access to specialists. This can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcomes. The management of physician offices becomes more efficient as schedules are adjusted for late arrivals, emergencies, and no-shows.
Continuity of care: Telemedicine facilitates ongoing communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care. Patients can now be tracked by physicians and specialists, alike, in post-acute care facilities and home care programs. This is particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions or post-treatment follow-ups.
As for usage, millions of people worldwide have adopted telemedicine as a primary or supplementary means of accessing healthcare services including consultations with specialists, mental health professionals, or even general practitioners leading to improved outcomes and increased efficiencies.
Telemedicine has emerged as a valuable tool in modern healthcare delivery, revolutionizing the way physicians and clinicians interact with patients and manage their health. As technology continues to evolve, telemedicine is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in improving access to quality care and optimizing patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
Russell R. Barksdale is a PHD, MPA/MHA, FACHE President, and CEO Waveny LifeCare Network
