On the unsung benefits of telemedicine

Since its debut 40 years ago, the use of telemedicine has been sporadic and slow due to lack of advanced technology and concerns about liability and privacy. However, with the spread of COVID-19, telemedicine’s usage has soared. This article will look at the advantages of telemedicine, including cost-effectiveness, access to specialty services, and mitigation of physician shortages, as well as how the full implementation of telemedicine is critical for medical progression and responsibility in light of future health crises.

What are telemedicine’s benefits?

Although there have been concerns surrounding security and privacy of telemedicine, the benefits of electronic medical care have been shown to far outweigh those worries. Its increased utilization has allowed for emphasis on patient oriented care, where local hospitals are still able to reach patients who cannot travel (or are self-quarantining) or provide services even with a lack of physicians in person.

Although physical exams and Wifi connection can act as barriers to such services, many healthcare facilities have attempted to overcome such obstacles through asking the patient to provide their own temperatures or other general observations. 

Telemedicine’s greatest potential in its usage is the benefit to rural areas within the country. Rural areas lack access to specialist care due to long distances between rural homes and the nearest large hospital. Local rural hospitals can provide primary care, but anything beyond can be expensive, burdensome, and time consuming. Rural families with children frequently need pediatric services, situations in which a telephoned referral to a pediatric specialist can eliminate the stress of planning a day’s trip to the hospital. 

Mental health

Another area that can be greatly improved through telehealth is the lack of access to mental health/psychiatry services. Suicide rates have increased by 33% from 1999 to 2017, with the highest increase in rural counties. Not only can mental health services be extremely expensive, but they can also be an obstacle to attend in person due to other important matters.

This field of healthcare has been leading in telehealth services as mental health facilities offering telemedicine increased from 15% in 2010 to 29% in 2017, but these services have the possibility to be expanded to give access to anyone who needs a therapy appointment.

Although there is still much to learn surrounding tele-mental health, it opens up new horizons in which mental health can be further destigmatized and celebrated. 

Equity and inclusion

Overall, telemedicine has the power to change healthcare as we know it. Being late for an appointment because of a flat tire, being scared to go to an appointment alone because a family member lives two hours away, or not getting the appointment you need with a specialist because they can’t fit you in for another 5 months can all be things of the past. Accessibility to healthcare is one of the main issues for wellbeing and quality of life in the U.S, forcing new ways to think about how to deliver healthcare services. Telemedicine could potentially be a part of a great solution towards equability so that everyone can receive the healthcare they need. 

— Jenny Kim