Effective, innovative, and accessible: three words that can best describe the impact of today’s virtual healthcare. From telehealth platforms to digital care solutions, the potential to improve patient experiences while addressing systemic challenges is tremendous.
But what exactly is virtual healthcare? What is its impact? And how can it truly benefit patients and providers alike?
Below, we tackle these questions and discuss how virtual care plays a pivotal role in the medical practice landscape and healthcare accessibility.
What is Virtual Healthcare?
According to TechTarget, an analysis of trends defining the healthcare landscape report reveals that virtual care solutions are becoming a part of the new normal. In 2024, most health systems (76%) invested in virtual health tools to drive patient experience and access.
The report also stresses that healthcare stakeholders need to change the questions they are asking and focus on the true value of virtual solutions. So, what is virtual healthcare? And what does this all mean for your practice?
First, the term “virtual care” refers to delivering medical services remotely via technology and tools such as apps, video conferencing, and messaging platforms. It’s broader than traditional telehealth services, which primarily focus on video consultations.
Whether monitoring chronic conditions or offering preventive care, virtual healthcare next-gen solutions are pivotal in today’s practices, and now is the time for providers to adapt and take advantage.
Virtual Healthcare vs. Telehealth
Are telehealth and virtual healthcare the same thing? Yes and no. While similar, telehealth often represents video-based consultation services between doctors and patients. Virtual care is a broader, umbrella term that includes telehealth services and as well as other forms of digital healthcare, such as:
- Online appointments
- Virtual patient monitoring
- Wearables
While both services offer substantial benefits, virtual care provides more comprehensive solutions.
Virtual Care Benefits for Providers and Patients
Virtual healthcare’s reach spans far and wide. However, we narrowed down its top advantages. Here are four compelling reasons why healthcare providers should consider adopting virtual care solutions:
1. Provides convenience
Telehealth platforms can significantly reduce barriers such as travel time, cost, or health conditions that prevent patients from physically visiting medical offices. This flexibility ensures a more balanced approach to delivering and receiving care.
2. Reduces disparities in health access
Virtual care for underserved communities is a game-changer. Populations in rural or remote areas and those with limited transport access can now consult specialists and access healthcare services from their homes.
3. Improves chronic condition management
Virtual healthcare for chronic conditions enables providers to monitor patients more effectively. For example, remote patient monitoring (RPM) tools track vitals in real-time, send alerts, and ensure patients receive guidance between clinic visits.
4. Reduces costs
Online healthcare services reduce the financial burden on both providers and patients by minimizing missed appointments, operational costs, and unnecessary ER visits.
One study review reveals telehealth saved one practice $24,352 or cost per visit for telehealth $430 versus in-person care $835. Another study found that the use of telehealth was associated with cost savings of $147 to $186 per visit for patients.
How Remote Care Fosters Broader Accessibility and Impact
By implementing virtual healthcare benefits on a larger scale, practices can significantly expand medical access to traditionally under-resourced areas. Below, we list how this can happen and the latest news/research in each area.
Provides health equity for underserved communities
Health equity is the opportunity for everyone to receive the health care they need, regardless of their circumstances.
This all sounds great; however, underserved communities often face the greatest challenges in accessing quality care. These communities often include:
- Older populations
- Rural communities
- People with disabilities
- People with language barriers
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), limited access to healthcare can result in harmful impacts, including poorer overall health outcomes, increased mortality rates, and higher rates of chronic disease. Luckily, health equity through virtual technology, or “techquity,” bridges these geographic and socioeconomic gaps.
Latest news unlocked:
After several labor-and-delivery units closed across sections of South Dakota, a healthcare system began a pre-natal program to reach the rural areas.
In addition to video visits, the system launched an RPM pilot using AI-enabled non-stress tests (and home-monitoring kits) to monitor fetal heart rate and the presence of contractions for patients who may be at higher risk of pre-term delivery.
The project has seen improved health outcomes, patient compliance, and connection to community services while reducing health inequity for women in rural, underserved, and tribal communities.
Reduces chronic conditions
Imagine a diabetes patient benefiting from constant monitoring of their glucose levels via a wearable and connected app. With RPM tools, remote care ensures immediate measures are taken when needed, and ongoing tracking helps patients stay on top of their health regimes.
Latest news unlocked:
Erie County Medical Center Corporation had a big challenge: reduce alarming rates of heart disease in their region. Their RPM initiative successfully improved heart health outcomes and reduced the risks associated with hypertension:
- 74% of the patients have achieved an average blood pressure of less than 140/90
- 80% have maintained a controlled blood pressure for more than two months.
Expands mental health support
Rural Americans experience higher rates of depression and suicide than people who live in urban areas, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMH). And research finds that over 60% of rural Americans live in areas that have a shortage of mental health professionals.
The good news? Virtual healthcare platforms have the power to help mental health providers reduce these troubling stats.
Patients can now conveniently seek therapy through telehealth services, normalizing support and removing the stigma associated with in-person visits.
Latest news unlocked:
One scoping review of six studies revealed that telehealth effectively improved the symptoms of three mental health disorders: insomnia, depression, and schizophrenia.
One study reported a reduction in relapse and rehospitalization rates in young individuals. Another noted its efficacy in improving depression and anxiety symptoms in older individuals.
Overcoming Challenges in Virtual Healthcare Adoption
Adopting virtual healthcare solutions has its challenges, such as technological barriers, patient communication, and ongoing support. Virtual care must also comply with HIPAA laws and other healthcare regulations to protect sensitive patient data.
These challenges underscore the need for innovation and the right digital tools. For example, Updox’s telehealth platform provides secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual visits, enhancing patient access and provider collaboration in healthcare. Some benefits include:
- A virtual waiting room allowing for triage workflows that mimic an in-person visit.
- Interpreter services increase accessibility and optimize the patient experience.
- Ability to check patient progress, help patients stick to care plans, and maintain communication.
Virtual Technology: Today and Tomorrow
The promise of virtual technology to democratize access to health care is undeniable. With AI, machine learning, and cloud technology advancements, we can expect virtual healthcare to become even more personalized and efficient.
So, how can you improve access and make patients feel comfortable and welcome right now? According to HHS.gov, here’s how:
- Use images in online communications and other medical forms for patients with low literacy.
- Ask your patients if they need assistive devices to participate in virtual visits.
- Allow extra time for virtual visit appointments for patients needing online support.
Adding Virtual Care Solutions to Your Practice
As virtual care and telehealth adoption grows, you might wonder how to best implement and optimize the technology in your practice.
Partnering with platforms offering innovative virtual healthcare solutions is the first step toward creating a patient-centric, efficient care ecosystem. Contact our care team to learn more about the Updox telehealth platform and start your journey to making healthcare accessible today!
