Table of Contents
Could Telehealth Save The American Healthcare System?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

https://www.onlinedoctor.com

I. Telehealth Statistics

Could-Telehealth-Save-The-American-Health-Care-System

Telehealth acceptance and use is expected to continue to grow in 2021, as many patients and providers used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some experts are concerned there may be a decrease if reimbursement levels for telehealth services do not continue.

  • Nearly one-third of health care leaders expect to increase telehealth utilization this year.
  • About 35% of health care leaders expect to decrease use of telehealth, primarily due to coverage concerns as current reimbursement levels may be dialed back.
  • Telemedicine access is extremely or very important to 40% of millennials, 27% of Gen Xers, and 19% of baby boomers.
  • There’s a high level of comfort with the idea of telemedicine, as 88% of adults say they’re comfortable using at least one form of telemedicine.
Without Telehealth: With Telehealth:
Patients are limited in regards to the healthcare services they can access without telehealth.

 

  • Patient visits a local hospital.
  • Patient receives diagnosis based on a single physician’s assessment.
  • Patient receives local treatment options.
  • Patient must travel to a local pharmacy to pick up prescriptions.
  • If local treatment options are not available, the patient must arrange transportation and lodging services to receive healthcare services from a long-distance facility.
  • Patient may not be able to afford travel and lodging and therefore foregos necessary treatment.
  • Patient must return to the hospital for follow-up visits.
 Patients enter into a new era of healthcare possibilities with telehealth services.

 

  • Patient consults with local physician via real-time e-visits.
  • Patient data is documented and stored in the cloud, allowing optimal diagnostic capabilities.
  • Predictive analytics are used to recommend healthcare treatment plans.
  • Prescriptions are called into local pharmacy and delivered to patient’s home.
  • If local treatment options are not available, patient can use e-consultations to receive assessments from long-distance specialists.
  • Patient doesn’t have to travel and doesn’t have to forego necessary treatment.
  • Patient uses videoconferencing to complete follow-up visits.
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II. Benefits of Telehealth

For Patients: For Providers:
  • Convenient access to healthcare services and on-the-spot specialist coverage through video conferencing and audiovisual interactions
  • Cuts travel time and transportation expenses
  • Increases engagement and improves access to healthcare records with cloud-based document sharing
  • Reduces wait time
  • Reduces healthcare expenses with lower-cost settings
  • Attracts and retains new patients
  • Differentiates themselves from competitors
  • Cuts travel time and expenses
  • Lowers the cost of healthcare services by achieving optimal operational efficiency
  • Better diagnostic capabilities with cloud-based sharing of healthcare records
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III. Telehealth Benefits All Healthcare Settings

Telehealth is saving the American healthcare system because it can be used in almost any healthcare setting.

It has already been adopted in the following settings:

  • Inpatient: 63%
  • Outpatient: 45%
  • Primary care: 30%
  • Emergency: 22%
  • Post-acute: 10%

Over the next few decades, telehealth will likely become adopted in the majority of correctional facilities and schools.

As telehealth becomes more widely adopted, patients are enjoying favorable outcomes, reduced wait times, increased access to health services, and lower medical costs. Telehealth truly is saving the American healthcare system. To learn more about how you can access telehealth services or to implement them at your practice, visit www.onlinedoctor.com.

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IV. Sources

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