“Telemedicine is a service that is rapidly evolving to provide increased
access to high-quality healthcare that is efficient and cost-effective.”
(Kichloo et al, 2020, p. 2). Telehealth provides many advantages
including: its cost-effectiveness, convenience, ability to extend
access to specialty services, and its potential to help mitigate the
looming physician shortage (Kichloo et al, 2020). Virtual care reduces
patient travel and associated costs (Snoswell et al, 2020). Individuals
in rural areas can access specialized services, without the concern of
travel expenses. This allows for efficient delivery of health care
services, by all health care professionals. Furthermore, this
contributes to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease and
injuries (Kruse, 2017, p. 1). Telehealth can enhance collaboration
between the patient and various healthcare providers in effort to
provide optimal care. Virtual care offers many advantages for financial
planning.
References
Kichloo, A., Albosta, M., Dettloff, K., Wani, F., El-Amir, Z., Singh, J.,
Aljadah, M., Chakinala, R. C., Kanugula, A. K., Solanki, S., & Chugh, S.
(2020). Telemedicine, the current COVID-19 pandemic and the
future: a narrative review and perspectives moving forward in the
USA. Family medicine and community health, 8(3), e000530.
https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2020-000530
Kruse, C. S., Krowski, N., Rodriguez, B., Tran, L., Vela, J., & Brooks, M.
(2017). Telehealth and patient satisfaction: a systematic review and
narrative analysis. BMJ open, 7(8), e016242.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016242
Snoswell, C. L., North, J. B., & Caffery, L. J. (2020). Economic
Advantages of Telehealth and Virtual Health Practitioners: Return on
Investment Analysis. JMIR perioperative medicine, 3(1), e15688.
https://doi.org/10.2196/15688
