By: Nik Korba
When Amazon appeared nearly three decades ago, it revolutionized the world of retail. Consumers found in Amazon and the other e-commerce markets that launched in its wake an option that was more accessible, convenient, efficient, and cost-effective than traditional models. It was an innovation that reshaped the retail landscape.
Today, telehealth services offer a transformative potential for the world of medical care, similar to what e-commerce achieved in retail. Telehealth platforms have opened doors for patients to seek specialized and personalized care options where and when they need them.
Telehealth—innovative care delivery services that connect patients to health professionals through videoconferencing, texting, streaming, and other wireless communication—was born of the need for more accessible health care, says Josh Thompson, CEO of Impact Health USA and Impact Health University. “It is changing how patients approach and receive treatment and care.”
Thompson is among those leading the shift toward telehealth. An advocate in the telehealth space, he has broadened access to medical services through a national telehealth platform that offers primary care, mental health support, and obesity medications. He launched Impact Health USA to empower entrepreneurs interested in telehealth to create their own telehealth businesses, with support now extended across all 50 states. Aspiring entrepreneurs and clinic owners looking for guidance on establishing a healthcare business receive education and mentorship through Thompson’s Impact Health University.
“Telehealth provides multiple ways for patients to connect with health professionals,” Thompson shares. “Patients can engage with care providers in real time, ask questions, receive prescriptions, send photos, and communicate through encrypted chat portals. They can also track their medical records securely via cloud-based sharing programs—all without entering a physical health facility.”
A Shift Inspired by the Pandemic
Most of today’s patients had their first exposure to telehealth services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data indicate the number of patients engaging with telehealth increased significantly, with usage rising from 15.4 percent in 2019 to 86.5 percent in 2021, as health concerns kept patients out of doctors’ offices.
“During a pandemic, telehealth services support public health by allowing patients to receive care while adhering to social distancing,” Thompson explains. “These services may offer a safer option for primary care providers, as they might reduce exposure to COVID-19.”
As patients experienced these safer options, many appreciated the convenience and efficiency it added to their healthcare process. Patient feedback indicated that 60 percent found telehealth more convenient than in-office visits, and 63 percent reported an interest in exploring broader telehealth solutions.
A Shift That Supports Improved Health Management
The convenience and efficiency provided by telehealth during the pandemic continue to attract patients who are no longer restricted from seeing providers in person. Yet, these are only a few of the advantages telehealth can provide.
Patients in remote areas, for instance, can access a wide range of healthcare specialists through telehealth. Those with mobility challenges, such as elderly patients, can consult with healthcare professionals without facing the hassle or risks associated with in-person visits. By making it easier to attend scheduled appointments, telehealth can support continuity of care, which may, in turn, enhance health management outcomes.
When in-office visits are required, telehealth can help doctors and healthcare professionals ensure that prescribed treatments are followed. It allows them to follow up remotely and quickly address concerns as they arise.
A Shift That Encourages Patient Participation in Health Management
The telehealth interactions most patients experienced during the height of the Covid pandemic are known as synchronous communications. Patients connected with healthcare providers through a video or audio call to exchange information, share concerns, and get feedback in real time.
Asynchronous communication uses “store and forward” technology to gather patient data and deliver it to healthcare providers for later analysis. Telehealth portals create a secure method for this type of communication, allowing patients to transmit sensitive data such as intake forms, blood pressure readings, and other health metrics.
“Telehealth may help patients feel more engaged in managing their health,” Thompson says. “For example, a person with a family history of heart disease might use wearable technologies, such as a smartwatch with a built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor, to track their daily exercise and blood pressure. They can save this data in a health monitoring app to share with their doctor.” In many ways, telehealth can promote patient involvement and increase access to essential healthcare resources.
Telehealth brings the relationship between patients and providers into the modern age. It streamlines and enhances patient care, offering convenience, security, and support for patient involvement. By providing an accessible and secure portal for healthcare interactions, telehealth is shaping a future in which healthcare is more readily available.
Published by: Annie P.
