One of the most important aspects of patient care is access to and convenience with regard to healthcare. As life becomes fast-paced and busy, patients are looking for ways to consult qualified healthcare professionals without travelling long distances, waiting in crowded waiting rooms, or conflicting schedules. Telehealth has undoubtedly become a highly transformative aspect of modern day healthcare as it creates a bridge between healthcare providers and patients through a digital platform.
Telehealth enables patients to access medical consultations, mental health services, and essential healthcare services from the comfort of their home and has been particularly beneficial for those living in rural or isolated areas, busy professionals, and for people with mobility issues.
The Need for Telehealth Services
In the past couple of years, the demand for online healthcare services has significantly increased. While technology does play an important role, the more compelling factor relates to the patient’s need for flexible, timely, and affordable care. The traditional model of healthcare delivery typically involves long wait times for an appointment, difficulty accessing specialist care, and high out-of-pocket costs.
Telehealth also directly solves some of these issues. You can access general practitioners, mental health providers, and specialists through secure video calls; no more travel and you create valuable time savings in the process, not to mention continuity of care for continuing health issues.
Benefits of Why Telehealth is Better
1. Convenience
Consultations can take place from anywhere such as to home, work, or even in the car or while living life on the go!
2. Accessibility
Those that live in rural or regional communities are getting the same level of care as those who live in metropolitan areas.
3. Affordability
Most telehealth consultations are bulk-billed, which alleviates at least some of the financial burden for patients.
4. Reduced Exposure
Telehealth eliminates the risk of exposure to a contagious disease by not going to a crowded clinic.
Making Mental Health Care Easier
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but many people have barriers to accessing professional help because of stigma or lack of opportunity. Telehealth provides a confidential means of dealing with your concerns with professional qualified people without the stigma or barriers sometimes associated with seeing people face to face.
Services generally involve counselling, psychology sessions, and therapeutic programs aimed at promoting mental health. Many providers also include flexible hours, which allow patients to schedule appointments at times outside of the usual 9-5, making access easier for patients with work, study, and families to balance.
Eligible patients can also receive mental health support under a bulk billing mental health plan which allows them to receive professional mental health services without large out-of-pocket expenses.
A Large Range of Services Offered
A modern telehealth provider can offer a lot more than general medical consultations. Services can include:
- General Practitioner Appointments for common health issues and ongoing management of chronic health issues.
- Mental Health Support including counselling, therapy, and referrals.
- Sexual Health Appointments which include sexual problems, reproductive health, contraceptive health and sexual wellbeing.
- Weight Loss Management programs run by qualified practitioners.
- Medical Certificates for employment, study, or travel.
- Institutional Visits for patients in aged care or other institutions.
- Repeat prescriptions and quick and easy access to those important medications.
Optimizing Prescriptions with Telehealth
Telehealth offers the significant benefit of allowing the delivery of prescriptions without the requirement for the patient to physically attend the clinic. This could potentially be helpful for patients who are managing chronic conditions or require repeated medication refills.
For example, patients can use a Quick E-script Australia service and order the prescription they require online and receive it quickly, developing consistency of their medication and reducing opportunities to miss doses.
Accommodating Patients’ Needs
Telehealth is able to cater to a variety of needs including, a professional requiring a last-minute medical certificate, a parent needing advice about their child, or someone needing to continue mental health care.
For example, often when reviewing patients, providers have multilingual practitioners enabling individuals from cultures with different languages to communicate different topics about their health more effectively. Furthermore, accessibility service options such as closed captions for hearing impaired patients, or offering a broader range of flexible consultation time slots are more accommodating components that help provide new opportunities for individuals to access patient centred care through telehealth.
Why Patients are Choosing Telehealth Over Traditional Clinics
- Faster Access to Care: It is often possible for you to book and attend an appointment at the same time.
- Privacy: You can consult with a healthcare professional privately and discreetly without attending a public clinic.
- Lower costs: Telehealth can be cheaper with bulk billing and reduced travel costs.
- Continuity: You can see the same practitioner for on-going concerns, keeping the doctor-patient relationship stronger.
The Future of Delivery of Healthcare
Telehealth is not just a temporary alternative to traditional healthcare it is a necessary and permanent part of the healthcare system. As technology continues to progress, we can expect new and innovative solutions, including AI-assisted diagnosis, monitoring of health integrated into wearable devices, and increased access to patient records.
This will allow for a more personalised, efficient and patient-centred healthcare system.
Final Thoughts
Healthcare should be accessible, affordable, and convenient for all. Telehealth services are taking steps to make this a reality and removing barriers that prevent people from accessing healthcare. Telehealth offers mental health support, general consultations, and quick prescription services. There has never been more ways for patients to take charge of their health.
If you select a trusted telehealth provider, you will receive professional, confidential, and high-quality care wherever and whenever you need it.
