The way we provide services across various industries has significantly evolved since the pandemic. Even before social distancing became a norm, many sectors were already exploring remote work options. However, the impact of COVID-19 pushed the healthcare industry to seriously consider telehealth as a modern delivery model that ensures safe patient care through technology.
Telehealth involves using digital communication and remote monitoring tools to conduct health check-ups or consultations with doctors or nurses. It includes all the necessary tools and personnel, such as intranet, cloud platforms, virtual platforms, and remote devices for patient monitoring, as well as telehealth providers who interact with patients. Examples of telehealth systems include virtual video consultations, remote patient monitoring (RPM), and electronic transmission of health information.
Hospitals and clinics should consider the numerous benefits of telehealth to maintain uninterrupted patient care, even during crises like the recent pandemic. Here are some key advantages:
When patient care is shifted to home-based settings via telehealth, the number of patients needing in-person attention at hospitals or clinics decreases significantly. Providing similar care in a hospital setting incurs additional costs compared to home-based care.
Governments spend heavily on healthcare, and while some areas like medical research cannot have reduced funding, exploring cost-effective options that improve patient outcomes is crucial. Telehealth is no longer just a means to serve underprivileged communities where healthcare facilities are unavailable. It has become a successful delivery model for healthcare facilities that have embraced it. With advancing technology, telehealth services should be leveraged to reduce costs and serve patients who cannot visit hospitals.
Telehealth nurses play a vital role in promoting health maintenance through patient education. When patients engage with their health data on monitoring devices, they are encouraged to maintain or improve their health, leading to fewer hospital visits, increased patient engagement, and reduced costs. This also enhances the overall patient experience.
Patients often face challenges like time and distance when attending appointments, which can be particularly frustrating for those recovering or elderly. Telehealth eliminates these barriers, allowing patients to connect with healthcare providers virtually, discuss their health, and progress without leaving their homes. This convenience benefits both patients and providers, making it a win-win situation.
Telehealth nurses can closely monitor patients’ health and detect any changes in vital signs. Early detection and timely intervention can connect patients to specialists if needed. For patients at risk of conditions like cardiac arrest, consistent monitoring alerts them and their caregivers to any changes, leading to better adherence and outcomes.
Policymakers, healthcare professionals, and hospital management agree that patient care is crucial. The potential of telehealth is vast, yet many patients are unaware of its benefits and ease. Therefore, healthcare facilities must effectively communicate its advantages to patients and obtain their consent before enrolling them in telehealth programs.
