Telemedicine – Enhancing Access to Care and Improving Patient Outcomes

Telemedicine – Enhancing Access to Care and Improving Patient Outcomes

Telemedicine has led to a significant change in the way healthcare is delivered. It has offered access to care to patients who usually face various obstacles when seeking physical care. In my practice, I have witnessed how telemedicine aids in making patient care timely and effective. For example, patients can get consultations without having to make in-person visits. This is especially advantageous for patients from rural areas, patients with mobility or transportation issues, and patients with chronic illnesses that make physical visits challenging.

Telemedicine has also significantly reduced wait times. In the traditional setup, booking an appointment can sometimes take weeks. However, with telehealth, patients can often see a provider within days or even hours (Han et al., 2022). This prompt access to care is particularly beneficial for managing acute conditions. These conditions, if left untreated, could deteriorate into more severe health issues. Moreover, telemedicine supports continuity of care. It allows for regular follow-ups and monitoring, ensuring patients adhere to their treatment plans. Furthermore, necessary adjustments can be made in real time.

As a healthcare provider, telemedicine allows me to use my time and resources more flexibly. For example, I can see patients from different locations virtually. Therefore, I am more available to them. Additionally, incorporating electronic health records with telehealth platforms makes documentation and information sharing much easier. This ultimately leads to the provision of better care. Nonetheless, it is vital to know the challenges of telehealth billing and reimbursement. This is according to resources such as the Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet and related literature (Bajowala et al., 2020). Knowing these guidelines ensures services are billed correctly. It ensures that there are no financial discrepancies and that telemedicine can be sustainable. Overall, telemedicine has increased access to care, patient satisfaction, and delivery of care which is a positive change in healthcare.

References

Bajowala, S. S., Milosch, J., & Bansal, C. (2020). Telemedicine pays billing and coding updates. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 20(10), 60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-020-00956-y

Han, D., Heshmat, Y., Geiskkovitch, D. Y., Tan, Z., & Neustaedter, C. (2022). A scenario-based study of doctors and patients on video conferencing appointments from home. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 29(5), 1-35. https://doi.org/10.1145/3514234

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Reflect on your experience with using telemedicine. (If you have not used telemedicine discuss the benefits and how it can improve patient outcomes.)

Telemedicine – Enhancing Access to Care and Improving Patient Outcomes

How did telemedicine change the access of care to the patient being cared for?