Are Virtual Consults The Future Of Healthcare?
With just about every aspect of our world going virtual, some of us love it, and some of us hate it.
Author:Velma BattleReviewer:Michael RachalNov 02, 20249 Shares8.5K Views
With just about every aspect of our world going virtual, some of us love it, and some of us hate it. But there’s no denying that the convenience we’re experiencing is extraordinary. We can get all sorts of delicious food delivered right to our doors within the hour, video chat with friends and family whether they’re in Vermont or Vietnam, and play for freeat online casinos while on the go.
And for those who live in rural areas, have difficulty getting around on foot, or just have busy schedules, virtual consultations have revolutionized healthcare. Telehealth (also known as virtual consultations or telemedicine) has made personal healthan accessible priority for many again.
What Are Virtual Consults?
Virtual consults include all sorts of remote consultations between a healthcare provider and a patient, whether over the phone or on a video call. These consultations happen much like an in-person appointment, where patients will show up at the set time and can speak to a qualified professional about an ailment or diagnosis or seek advice. That way, they don’t have to commute to a clinic or specialty facility in person or endure dreaded long wait times.
Although telemedicine has been around in a much more rudimentary form as early as the 1960s and 1970s, it wasn’t as widely adopted as it is now. Perhaps it was the attitudes to technology, the limitations of technology, or even the lack of regulations in place—whatever it was, patients still opted for traditional in-person setups. As technology evolved, however, patients and service providers realized the potential of virtual consultations, particularly with the development of mobile health apps and the growing population.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which led to widespread isolation. Telehealth was now a growing necessity, not an option. After the pandemic subsided, the healthcare industry realized the potential of telehealth, and it naturally became a mainstay in our society, even a preferred method of receiving medical care.
What Are The Types Of Virtual Consultations?
The beauty of virtual consults is that they are not one-size-fits-all. While all of them require technology and an internet connection, patients can choose whether they want face-to-face interaction through a video call, prefer discussing health concerns over the phone, or would rather stick to sending messages through asynchronous messaging for less urgent concerns. And these methods aren’t limited to seeing a general practitioner, either. They can be freely used to access mental health services, consult with specialists, and even discuss medication management with a pharmacy.
Advantages Of Virtual Consultations
Virtual consultations come with a range of advantages, which explains why they have become so popular. Let’s look at a few of them below:
Accessibility – In areas where healthcare facilities and specialists are limited or where public transportation is sparse, telehealth helps provide access to those who need it. Especially for those who live with chronic conditions or need to consult with specialists from other cities, states, or even countries, frequent clinic visits can quickly become a burden.
Convenience – Even with an appointment booked, offices typically get backed up and require long wait times that people with families or work long hours can’t afford. Patients also won’t need to factor in traveltime to get to these facilities—just a couple of taps or clicks, and they’ll have immediate access to a healthcare provider.
Cost-Effectiveness – While some patients have insurance for many services, others don’t, putting them at a disadvantage when they have to travel for healthcare purposes. Some telehealth services may charge lower fees compared to in-person visits due to the reduction in overhead costs.
Limitations Of Virtual Consultations
However, virtual consultations cannot ever fully replace the importance of in-person healthcare for a variety of reasons:
Clinical Limitations – Patients can enjoy the initial consultations and appointments with a healthcare provider or a virtual medical assistant onlinebut may eventually need to attend in-person visits for diagnostic tests and physical examinations. With no way to do this over a phone or video call, a hybrid approach is necessary, even when virtual consults are initially possible.
Digital Literacy – Not all populations will find telehealth easy to navigate. For older generations or those who aren’t exposed to technology, their lack of digital literacy can be a barrier to obtaining virtual care.
Insurance Coverage – Depending on their policies or your specific plan, some insurance providers don’t cover telehealth services. There can also be issues with state regulations, which prevent patients from seeing healthcare providers outside of their state.
The Future Of Virtual Healthcare
It’s clear that virtual healthcare will never fully replace traditional healthcare appointments, but as telemedicine has such strong ties to technology, there has been a vast improvement in the healthcare we can receive online. As society becomes more familiar with telehealth and younger generations become more accustomed to online services, telehealth adoption will only become more commonplace. We may see more hybrid care models, with a combination of in-person and virtual care, to give patients the necessary follow-up opportunities.
Technology like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) will likely play bigger roles as well, given their ability to handle data or improve real-time visualization and simulation. Given this, the healthcare industry could potentially blur the lines between in-person care and virtual care through better diagnostics systems and more immersive sessions using virtual reality and simulation techniques.
Velma Battle
Author
Travelling Expert
Michael Rachal
Reviewer
Travelling Expert
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