Virtual Health Care...The New Norm
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Virtual health, also known as telehealth or telemedicine, encompasses the concept of providing health care services through digital tools. These tools include video calls, phone calls, instant messaging and remote monitoring. These tools are meant to be used to assist with in person office visits or replace them all together.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual health was finding its place in the healthcare system. But it is safe to say that virtual health is here to stay following the lockdown and social distancing mandates required by the pandemic. This newsletter will take a deeper look into the pros and cons associated with this newfound healthcare addition. |
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Telemedicine is broken down into three different service types, synchronous, asynchronous and remote monitoring (Mechanic, O., Persaud, Y., & Kimball, A., 2022).
Synchronous refers to health care given via real time interaction. This interaction could be via telephone or live audio, using a smartphone or computer. This type of care allows for live discussion between patient and healthcare provider.
Asynchronous care allows interactions between provider and patient through securely stored messages as well as images and data that can be read, interpreted and responded to at a later date. An example of this would include the use of Henry Ford’s MyChart system, where you can review your labs, request appointments and communicate back and forth with your healthcare provider.
Lastly, there is remote patient monitoring. This type of healthcare technology allows the patient to transmit data to the healthcare provider like at home blood pressure or glucose monitoring devices. This type of monitoring involves continuous evaluation of the patient’s clinic status (Mechanic et al., 2022). |
Highlights of Virtual Care
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Telehealth was originally designed to allow access to the underserved populations living in rural communities, but it also has many other benefits, including: |
| • | Greater convenience |
| • | Cost effective |
| • | More access to specialist |
| • | Decreases emergency room visits |
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| • | Decreases prolonged hospital stays |
| • | Reduces patient travel |
| • | Reduces patient wait times |
| • | Increases patient satisfaction |
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(Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2020) |
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Challenges of Virtual Care
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Although there are many benefits of virtual care, barriers are also present, including: |
| • | Lack of use from the elderly population due to lack of technology |
| • | Inability for healthcare providers to physically examine patient |
| • | Concern over violating HIPAA laws |
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| • | Reimbursement from insurance carriers |
| • | Technical difficulties |
| • | Potential for security breech |
| • | Lack of multistate healthcare provider licensure |
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(Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2020) |
Virtual care has many advantages but there are disadvantages as well. As a healthcare consumer it is best to educate yourself on how you can utilize telehealth to your own healthcare advantage.
But it is also appropriate to recognize when in person care is the best. Remember that the Jackson College Health Clinic offers virtual care appointments Monday through Friday, let us help meet your healthcare needs. |
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