Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in America, the adoption of telehealth providers has been on the rise and individuals are turning to digital expertise greater than ever to handle their private well-being care wants without having to depart their houses.
However whereas many have begun to embrace telehealth choices as a brand new method to hook up with care and tackle their private well-being wants, myths surrounding what telehealth providers are supposed for and the way they evaluate to in-office visits proceed to prevail.
To assist decide how digital care can finest meet well-being care wants throughout quarantine and past, listed here are the information behind 4 frequent misconceptions about telehealth:
MYTH #1: Telehealth is just for fundamental or pressing care wants.
FACT: Telehealth can usually be the primary cease for preventive, major care and different well being and wellness wants. Sufferers can join with a health care provider or nurse practitioner to obtain take care of a spread of acute, preventive, and continual care wants, together with sickness and harm, psychological well-being providers, and administration of circumstances like bronchial asthma, diabetes, and extra. Whether or not sufferers dwell in a rural space or just need a neater option to handle they’re well being, telehealth can adapt to their wants.
MYTH #2: There are not any telehealth suppliers within the space.
FACT: Many trusted native and nationwide well-being care programs present telehealth providers throughout the nation. In the present day, greater than half of the suppliers in America provide some type of telehealth service, in keeping with an April 22, 2020, Merritt Hawkins survey, “Doctor Follow Patterns Altering as a Results of COVID-19.” Moreover, current authorities, well-being systems, and reimbursement coverage adjustments have improved affected person entry to telehealth providers and are encouraging us as a protected option to entry care throughout the pandemic.
In actual fact, finding telehealth suppliers is less complicated than ever earlier than with platforms like Walgreens.com/FindCareServices, which helps sufferers entry care when and the way they want it. Sufferers can select from greater than 30 telehealth suppliers treating over 100 circumstances, whereas looking out from the consolation of their very own house. Accessible by means of an app and on-line, the platform makes it straightforward to search out and evaluate obtainable suppliers by location, choice, insurance coverage protection, providers and value.
MYTH #3: Digital care is not nearly as good as in-person care.
FACT: Telehealth providers can provide high-quality, handy entry to care. Very like face-to-face workplace visits, telehealth visits can facilitate a trusting, open dialogue with a health care provider or nurse practitioner. Most suppliers have a web-based interface or cell app, making it straightforward to log onto and use safe, high-quality video for consultations and to visually assist talk about accidents or circumstances.
Telehealth additionally reduces time spent in ready rooms and commuting to appointments, placing extra energy within the arms of sufferers. It may be notably worthwhile for enabling distant monitoring and common check-ins for sufferers with continual circumstances.
Whereas telehealth generally is a handy different to in-person care, there are nonetheless situations the place in-person appointments are really useful, similar to within the case of a medical emergency. To think about the best choice for care wants, examine with a health care provider.
MYTH #4: Telehealth is simply too costly.
FACT: Telehealth and different providers may help lower your expenses whereas increasing entry to care. When searching for a telehealth supplier, it will probably show it cost-effective to check choices based mostly on pricing, insurance coverage protection, preferences and providers offered. Search for telehealth choices that listing clear pricing data to assist information in the search.
If a session requires a prescription, Walgreens additionally has 24/7 pharmacy chat capabilities by means of its app and Walgreens.com/SaveOnRX with discounted pricing on the spread of medicines.
Telehealth is extra accessible than ever as extra suppliers evolve and adapt applied sciences to satisfy the affected person wants at a protected distance. However, at the same time as social distancing constrictions raise, digital wellness choices will current higher flexibility and comfort in assembly particular person well-being care wants.
