Access to healthcare should not be a privilege. Fortunately, telehealth’s impact has broken down many barriers to care.
As adoption continues to grow, you might be wondering how to best implement and optimize the technology in your practice. With the right strategy, the outcomes can be significant.
You can deliver higher-quality care to more patients. You can overcome logistical challenges like overcrowded waiting rooms. You can earn more revenue while improving patient satisfaction levels.
The question is, how? In this article, you’ll find out.
We’ll map the growing popularity of telehealth. We’ll look at the effects of the technology on healthcare access.
We’ll explore exciting advancements in the telehealth space. We’ll also look at common adoption challenges and their solutions.
Finally, we’ll share some tips you can use to start optimizing telehealth.
Use these insights to make telehealth an asset to your practice and the patients you serve. Let’s get started.
The Growing Popularity of Telehealth
Telehealth uses digital communication technology to enable providers to deliver care remotely. The patient and the provider don’t need to be in the same physical space. Instead, they can connect via phone, video conferencing software, and even secure live chat.
The basic principles of telehealth are nothing new. While we often think of it as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth was already gaining traction prior.
In 2018, 76% of US hospital systems offered some form of telemedicine. These technologies were not as widely used as they are today. Complex regulations, inadequate reimbursement, and the cost of secure technologies stood in the way.
Then, in March 2020, the world changed. In-person visits were off the table. But people still needed access to healthcare.
Congress recognized this and quickly adjusted Medicare restrictions. Telehealth became more accessible and more affordable. Adoption skyrocketed.
A study of 36 million insured Americans found that telehealth interactions rose by a huge 766% in the first three months of the pandemic.
Now that in-person appointments are available again, telehealth use has dropped—albeit slightly. Over 86% of physicians use telehealth regularly.
The technology is no longer a niche service. It’s a core part of modern healthcare delivery.
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The Telehealth Impact on Healthcare: Expanded Care Access
No matter who, no matter where, every person deserves access to high-quality healthcare.
Telehealth makes this a reality, benefiting patients, providers, and public health initiatives. Here’s how.
Telehealth’s Impact on Patients
At the end of the day, patient care is what matters the most. Here’s how telehealth benefits them:
- Telehealth makes healthcare more convenient and accessible. Patients can connect with their providers from the comfort of their own homes. This can be the difference between missing out on care and getting the treatments needed. For example, someone might live far away from a specialist. They might have family responsibilities that prevent them from leaving the home. Or they might not have access to transportation.
- Telehealth reduces wait times—both for appointments and in the waiting room. Providers can see more patients using virtual visits, which means they can take on more appointments. Plus, with more people choosing telehealth, waiting rooms become less crowded. Less waiting means higher patient satisfaction.
- Telehealth lowers costs. Patients don’t have to pay for transportation. And, because they are more likely to seek care, they avoid costly complications. One study concluded: “According to cost models, the estimated mean total cost savings ranged from $147.4 to $186.1 per visit.”
Telehealth’s Impact on Providers
Telehealth is a win for patients. It’s a win for practices, too, thanks to these benefits:
- Providers can expand their patient base beyond their geographical area. For practices looking to grow, this offers a significant opportunity to increase reach and revenue.
- Telehealth offers many features that boost efficiency. For example, automated scheduling, digital record-keeping, and virtual follow-ups alleviate administrative burdens. Team members have more time to dedicate to complex patient concerns.
- Patients may be more likely to attend virtual appointments. Why? Because telehealth breaks down barriers like travel and work conflicts. Consistent care improves patient outcomes and helps your team maintain predictable schedules.
Telehealth’s Role in Public Health Initiatives
Let’s think broader for a moment. In addition to the day-to-day benefits, telehealth improves the efficacy of public health initiatives:
- Telehealth enables patients to educate themselves. Users gain access to quality information and resources. They might also be able to message their providers directly for fast responses.
- Telehealth helps mitigate the consequences of infectious disease outbreaks. We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients—who may be high-risk—do not need to visit doctor’s offices or hospitals.
- Telehealth expands access to mental health care. Therapy and counseling have become more accessible, particularly to those living in remote areas.
- Telehealth improves the treatment of chronic diseases. These conditions often require regular appointments, which can take their toll on other areas of patients’ lives. Patients can have routine check-ins with their healthcare providers without leaving home.
- Telehealth reduces overcrowding in emergency departments. For non-emergency issues, patients can consult with a physician via video chat. This ensures emergency services are available for those who genuinely need them.
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Telehealth Technology Advancements
Technology evolves quickly. In healthcare, these advancements promise incredible leaps and bounds in patient care quality and health outcomes.
Here are some new and emerging technologies to be aware of.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices track health data in real time. Providers can securely access this data remotely.
Wearable sensors and other tech track things like vital signs and glucose levels. Providers can then adjust treatments and make timely interventions.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration
EHR systems streamline care delivery. They act as a single source of truth, giving all providers involved in a patient’s care access to up-to-date treatments, lab results, and more.
When integrated with telehealth, EHR systems become more comprehensive. This improves accuracy, boosts efficiency, and ensures patients get safe and effective care.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI can analyze huge swathes of data and identify patterns. The potential of this in healthcare is truly revolutionary.
Already, AI-powered diagnostics and triage systems look at patient data points to suggest diagnoses and personalized treatments.
In telehealth, AI delivers real-time insights and automates routine tasks. AI can also monitor patient vitals, predict potential health issues, and even guide patients through self-care steps.
Specialty Care Tools
Telemedicine has expanded beyond general practice. Specialists can now consult with patients remotely using purpose-built technology. Examples include:
- Remote cardiac monitoring platforms, like those offered by Philips, that continuously watch cardiac activity
- Teleophthalmology platforms like EyeCareLive that enable ophthalmologists to remotely examine and diagnose eye conditions
- Teleaudiology platforms that carry out remote hearing tests
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Telehealth Adoption Challenges
The benefits are exciting, and you are energized by the future of medicine. But there is still work to be done.
Here are some of the most common telehealth adoption challenges you might face. We’ve included potential solutions and ways to overcome them, too.
The Ever-Changing Regulatory Environment
Regulations surrounding telehealth move fast. To complicate things further, different states have different rules.
How to overcome it: Stay informed by subscribing to updates from professional networks. The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is a good option. Get to know your state-specific telehealth laws. You might engage a legal professional.
In addition, be sure that your telehealth platform and related technologies are compliant. Check they follow rules like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Technology and Literacy Barriers for Patients
The benefits of telehealth assume two things:
- Patients have access to the required technology, like a phone, computer, and stable internet.
- Patients know how to use telehealth platforms. They can log in, access their information, and join their virtual appointment.
For many patients, however, these assumptions are incorrect.
For example, patients in rural areas might not have access to high-speed internet. Older patients might not be comfortable using phones and computers.
How to overcome it: Choose telehealth solutions that are user-friendly. Make sure they are compatible with various device types.
Offer patient education programs. You might help a less tech-savvy patient navigate your telehealth solution in person. They can then access their telehealth appointment themselves in the future.
Reimbursement Issues
Reimbursement for telehealth services is inconsistent. Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurers have expanded their telehealth coverage.
However, the policies vary, making it difficult to plan your finances.
How to overcome it: The best you can do is educate yourself. Find out which services are covered and by whom.
Keep an eye on legislative changes. Consider advocating for more consistent telehealth reimbursement policies by joining the AMA or another professional association.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Telehealth has unique security risks. Data breaches, for example, can impact digital communication platforms.
Although most telehealth platforms comply with HIPAA, they are still vulnerable.
How to overcome it: Establish rigorous data security protocols within your practice. Use a secure network and invest in regular team training.
Always install software updates. These contain security patches that safeguard against new and emerging threats.
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Top Tips for Optimizing Telehealth in Your Practice
Get more out of telehealth with these tips:
- Address patient challenges. What challenges do your patients face? Consider ways to address these. You might run education sessions, for example.
- Audit your telehealth system. Is there room for improvement? Check whether it’s compliant and includes the highest standards of security. Think about any new technologies that could benefit your practice. Does your platform offer them? If not, it might be time to upgrade.
- Train staff on security best practices. Schedule a training session to refresh your staff’s knowledge of cybersecurity. Make sure they know the basics, like using strong passwords and avoiding unsecured networks.
