Telehealth is the practice of accessing medical care through digital tools. After the evolution of COVID-19, people have been victims of stress and mental problems, and telehealth offers convenience and solutions to their problems. According to a report by Rock Health in 2022, 80% of consumers turned to telehealth for their healthcare needs and around 38% of individuals expressed their preference for virtual checkups when seeking mental health care. People who are living far away from the medical centers, especially rural residents, women, uninsured individuals, and Hispanic people prefer it more than face-to-face visits.
According to another report given by China, many developed countries like China, Australia, and Singapore have been affected by mental health after the COVID eruption. To cure their people from this, these countries have started using telemedicine. This approach was also tested in Western China and it brought fruitful results and made health care better for many people. Telehealth has deeply rooted itself to effectively address unmet healthcare needs. The main reason for its success is its comfort, convenience, and ability to cater to a wide audience.
1. Mental Health Access and Stigma Reduction
Telehealth has been a game changer in the domain of mental health. About 25% of Dynata survey respondents claim using telehealth for mental health consultation and other respondents said that they would likely seek mental health support due to its availability. Telehealth has not only played a great role in accessing mental health therapists but also has been advanced in reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health. Its convenience and privacy of virtual consultation help the patients feel more at ease and active. Moreover, anxiety and depression have been the main new mental health diagnoses and people are 1.8 times more open up during telehealth sessions compared to in-person meetings.
2. Chronic Care Management
In the case of people going with chronic illnesses, regular visits to healthcare providers are essential. Telehealth is an essential instrument in this field. It ensures patients are able to stay in control of their health issues and avoid the hassle of frequent visiting a doctor. Through telehealth, a more constant and frequent monitoring is possible which results in more effective health care control. Patients with chronic illnesses tend to be 35% more likely to opt for virtual doctor appointments rather than in-person appointments.
By using telehealth services you can monitor their health and wellness without causing any confusion or delays. Furthermore, it's more regular and allows for routine monitoring feasible. A majority of participants said they had made a commitment to regularly scheduled appointments for their chronic health, as stated within the Dynata survey.
3. Many Patients Find Online Visits Easy Virtual
Virtual consultation, especially for adolescents and children have shown high adaptability rates. Z generation are growing up with the technology, and seem to find these tools and online mode of consultation easy and interactive. Telehealth ease and comfort have made a great impact in rural areas where access to healthcare has been challenging. According to the CDC report, rural areas with 57 million residents have seen more premature deaths than urban areas. The leading causes of death are chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, heart disease, and cancer due to the scarcity of medical professionals.
That is what, telehealth lessens the gap between them. It helps to reduce the barriers faced by rural residents such as long traveling, expense issues, and limited public transport. Especially during the pandemic, telehealth has transformed the healthcare outlook in remote areas, ensuring that distant communities can access quality care.
4. Convenient and Affordable
Telehealth, besides being convenient, is also a more affordable option. Traditional appointments lead to additional costs such as transport fees, gas expenses, missed working hours, tolls, and more. These minor costs become larger over a time of regular consultation. Although some telehealth providers do not accept insurance like lifeStance. However, with an increasing number of insurance providers, telehealth costs become more affordable for many. Average telehealth sessions are required for 40$ to 70$ but depend on the insurance. Thanks to the Telehealth arrival, it covers people of every region and country with its availability and attractive options. Patients are not forced to undergo online therapy, if they are satisfied for face to face consultations, then prefer physical checkups.
Concluding Remarks
Telehealth's future looks more demanding and promising in the coming time. After the eruption of the pandemic, telehealth brings vast benefits such as accessibility, affordability, and win-win solutions and also ensures its continued applicability in the healthcare sector. According to researchers, therapists, and patients, it has become the revolutionary tool that reformulates healthcare delivery. It makes health maintenance more accessible and comprehensive for everyone anywhere and anytime.
It is time for the therapist to use innovative tools and technology to diminish the gap between patients suffering from mental illness and look for treatment. After reading the researched article, hopefully, your points regarding telehealth working and care will be solved. Never compromise your health, do whatever your body and mind require.
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