Telehealth has made a massive impact in the global healthcare sector since bursting onto the scene during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 154 percent increase in telehealth use in 2020 when compared with the numbers prior to the pandemic.
According to a survey by McKinsey & Company, nearly three out of four patients wanted to continue using telehealth services even after lockdown restrictions were relaxed.
Being able to talk to medical professionals remotely was a major attraction. However, telehealth offers far more than just convenience.
Telehealth helps people take charge of their own health and allows medical practitioners to keep track of their patients and their wellbeing.
The Benefits of Telehealth for People in Remote Areas
One of the best features of telehealth is its ability to defy geography and reach people in places where normal healthcare services are scarce.
Residents in such areas are usually several hours away from the nearest medical facility. This is a significant issue in countries such as Australia.
As one of the biggest countries in the world, Australia has plenty of remote communities and residents often find it difficult accessing high quality healthcare whenever they want.
That was before telehealth came into the picture. Virtual care has transformed the landscape by bringing medical services to their doorstep through digital mediums.
During the pandemic, the federal government expanded Medicare coverage to include more telehealth services, making sure people in remote areas could access healthcare.
Since becoming a cornerstone of the Australian healthcare sector, the number of providers now operating has gone through the roof.
Qoctor is one of the best telehealth providers in Australia. This impartial Qoctor review highlights the services they offer, including virtual general practitioner (GP) and pharmacy concierge services.
The platform was started by a group of GPs, with a special focus on making its service confidential and keeping the data of all its patients safe.
How Telehealth Impacts Wellness Monitoring
Technology has facilitated the development of wearable devices, which play a massive role in wellness monitoring.
Smartwatches, fitness trackers and other devices help medical professionals keep an eye on their patients. A global market size of $70 billion highlights their popularity.
The devices track a patient’s heart rate, sleep patterns, blood oxygen levels and other elements, producing real-time data that is automatically sent back to healthcare providers.
People at risk of heart disease can receive alerts when there is a spike in their heart rate, letting them know when to take it down a notch and reduce their stress levels.
Others who juggle work and family can also track their sleep and energy levels and know when to make the necessary adjustments.
The technology is a vital resource there is a need for early intervention. When vital signs go off the rails, medical professionals can manage the situation before it gets any worse.
Studies have shown that remote monitoring can reduce hospital visits by up to 30 percent, significantly easing the strain on the healthcare system.
What’s Stopping Telehealth from Taking Over the Healthcare Sector?
The healthcare sector has been playing catch-up in a world where technology has redefined communication but there are still some barriers preventing telehealth from taking over.
The US has never really been completely sold on telehealth, although they reluctantly took it up when the pandemic became far more serious.
However, since the world returned to normalcy, the rate of telehealth usage dropped drastically, with only around one-fifth of patients continuing to regularly use virtual services.
Access to technology is part of the problem. Not every household has a reliable internet connection or a digital device capable of handling video consultations.
According to a study carried out by the CDC, only about 27% of low-income households own smartphones with strong internet access, limiting their ability to use telehealth effectively.
Australians face similar challenges. Many remote communities do not have stable internet infrastructure, making it difficult for Aussies to access virtual care.
Even when technology is available, digital literacy is another issue that needs to be addressed, especially for older people who find it difficult to navigate telehealth platforms.
If telehealth is going to reach its full potential, governments must ensure they prioritise making it more accessible to those who need it the most.
