The healthcare landscape has changed drastically following the global COVID-19 pandemic. The weaknesses of our healthcare systems have been laid bare by the pandemic – such as the lack of testing facilities, the decentralization of healthcare policies, and the ever-thorny issue of insurance coverage and healthcare access.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has been a “stress test” for the US healthcare system, it has also given us the opportunity to reflect on areas that need to be addressed urgently. One such area has been the telehealth sphere.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth or telemedicine is the distribution of healthcare through telecommunication technologies. The most common form is having a doctor consultation over a video call. Other examples of telehealth services include remote monitoring of patients’ vital signs, online prescription refills, and virtual mental health therapy. This means patients do not have to physically visit a clinic to receive an evaluation and treatment.
Once seen as a niche area, Telehealth has swiftly and admirably integrated into the US healthcare system in less than a year. In response to the lack of available in-person doctors and to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure, all 50 states flexibly adjusted their regulations regarding telehealth.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) even permitted practicing telemedicine across state lines, showcasing the system’s adaptability and resilience in the face of a crisis.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), for the first time, has permitted certified addiction specialists to offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for patients suffering from opioid use disorder via telemedicine and prescribe (buprenorphine) online (teleMOUD). All these were significant changes because the COVID-19 pandemic caused many parts of the U.S. to undergo lockdowns, with many in-person clinics being closed and many transmissions and exposures happening in healthcare facilities still open.
This forced patients and doctors to become familiar and comfortable with telehealth.
Advantages of Telehealth Services
Telehealth services offer many advantages, the core one being the increased options for patients to consult a doctor. With telehealth services, patients can simply dial in and speak to a doctor, eliminating the need to travel to their nearest clinic.
This means that patients need not be denied treatment access due to geographical or travel barriers, and they can avoid potentially taking time off from work to see a specialist, empowering them with more control over their healthcare.
Key Advantages:
- Wider Access to Healthcare: Patients can consult with doctors regardless of geographical barriers.
- Increased Privacy: This is especially important for sensitive matters like STDs, psychiatric, or substance use disorder treatment.
- Cost-Effective: Telehealth is generally less costly than in-person visits.
- Convenience: No need for travel, saving time and transportation costs.
Limitations of Telehealth Services
Telehealth services do have their limitations.
Key Limitations:
- Not Suitable for Emergencies: Telehealth is not ideal for urgent conditions like chest pain or significant breathing problems.
- Limited Diagnostic Tools: Diagnostic tools available at home, such as a thermometer or blood pressure cuff, are limited.
- Lack of Advanced Wearable Technology: While promising, most people do not yet have advanced wearable health technology.
- Need for In-Person Workup: Further diagnostic tests, such as blood work or urine testing, still need to be conducted in person.
- Potential Impact on Doctor-Patient Relationship: Over-reliance on telehealth might affect the quality of the doctor-patient relationship due to the lack of non-verbal communication cues.
Conclusion
Telehealth or telemedicine services offer tremendous benefits to patients by increasing their options and access to healthcare, saving time, and decreasing healthcare costs. However, they are mostly limited to non-emergent cases, and even in those cases, diagnostic limitations still exist.
Looking ahead, the government’s increasing availability of telehealth services and the relaxation of restrictions and red tape signal a promising shift. These changes may help to mend a healthcare system that is currently more costly than any comparable system in the Western world.
As a result, we can anticipate an even more significant expansion of the telehealth sector in the near future, fostering a sense of optimism and anticipation for the healthcare landscape.
Telehealth with QuickMD
Did you know? QuickMD is an online doctor service that allows you to see a specialist wherever you are– without health insurance.
