In many countries, telemedicine (or telehealth) has been around for many years. With the Coronavirus, outbreak telemedicine has become the most widely used form of remote healthcare.
The concept of Remote Medical Care refers to telemedicine, which allows monitoring of the patient’s health and carrying out routine preventive and control checks outside of the patient’s medical facility.
A mobile device that measures vital signs enables this form of care. Once a Remote Medical Care Center receives the results, it analyzes them automatically. In the event of an emergency, a medical professional contacts the patient if any abnormalities occur.
Features of the Remote Healthcare
- Telemedicine Software: Patients receive information regarding their medical condition from a remote location, such as diagnoses, treatment plans, and prescriptions, through telemedicine. The ideal device for patients to use for their telemedicine appointments is an iOS or Android device, a tablet, desktop, or laptop PC with a forward-facing camera.
- Remote Patient Monitoring: The strength of telemedicine is its ability to accommodate face-to-face and voice-to-voice interactions. The remote monitoring of patients goes one step further by enabling providers to monitor blood pressure, glucose, EKG, and SpO2 as well as temperature and weight in real-time.
- Patient Portal: In today’s mobile world, a patient portal is essential for keeping patients connected. It allows patients to access the practice 24×7 for a variety of activities. Thus, the practice has no closing hours, meaning it can make a big difference for patients who need it most.
- Text Reminders to Patients: Mobility products serve a variety of purposes. It is possible for patients to receive reminders about appointments in-person or remotely via text message (either directly or embedded) connected to the scheduler (either directly or embedded). Using reminders to remind patients also develops a revenue stream and enhances efficiency by filling reception areas and keeping telemedicine sessions on the schedule. The interactive nature of the service allows patients to respond to text messages to confirm or cancel appointments. Scheduler appointments for the patients will automatically include the response types.
Benefits of Remote Healthcare
Remote healthcare has several benefits for healthcare and the patients. Listed below are a few benefits:
For Medical Benefits:
- Improving the efficiency of the hospitalization process and having more patients treated in a shorter period of time.
- Remote Healthcare handles all the responsibilities, relieving the medical team.
- Remote monitoring of pharmacotherapy and the observation of changes in vital signs help patients adhere to medical recommendations.
- Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that allow for reimbursement for time spent reviewing patient data, a part of remote patient monitoring, can increase physicians’ revenue.
- A long-term remote diagnostic using telemedicine can increase the effectiveness of treatment.
- Data on patients’ medical conditions are easily accessible and clear.
- The implementation of innovative telemedicine services has enhanced the reputation of the establishment.
For Patients:
- Reducing the time spent waiting for hospital admission and shortening the hospital stay.
- The possibility of receiving care in a friendly home environment while being constantly monitored by specialists.
- Remote healthcare reimbursement requires provider feedback on data sent to them by patients following their analysis. This method can serve to educate and provide feedback to patients instead of waiting for regular appointments.
- Direct and immediate access to medical staff to improve comfort and safety.
- Faster response times in case of an emergency, with patient monitoring and a call system for help if needed.
- Improves the effectiveness and efficiency of therapy.
- Easy and secure access to own medical records.
The Future of Remote Healthcare
According to the report published by Astute Analytica, the Remote Healthcare market will grow at a CAGR of more than 20% during the forecast period from 2021-2027.
COVID-19 has enabled a number of innovations in the healthcare sector, including telehealth and temporary hospitals. It has led to the cancellation of operations and reduced the hospital’s operational capacity. Hence, there has been a drastic decline in inpatient visits due to people’s fear. Due to the scarcity of acute care facilities and the delay in treatment, remote-care technologies are rapidly gaining traction.
The practice of remote medicare is gaining traction, especially during this epidemic. Globally, patients want shorter stay times in hospitals, more cost-effective treatments, and quicker recovery. Utilizing remote monitoring can assist in managing chronic conditions, post-operative care, and completing the recovery process in the digital age.
In the future, Covid-19 is likely to motivate both clinicians and patients to take advantage of new technologies, such as Remote Healthcare, which will likely become part of regular clinical practice. Despite the growing demands on our healthcare systems, technology can help us reduce these costs, prevent expensive treatments, and foster lasting, transformative change that benefits everyone throughout the entire healthcare network.
The healthcare industry, like many others, has been forced to react to digital transformation due to the influenza pandemic. In light of the next few years, it’s now time to formulate a strategic yet flexible plan. It is possible to continue forward on a positive path towards a more remote future by assessing what has worked and what hasn’t.
