We once thought that coronavirus was a phase. However, once the World Health Organization classified it as a global pandemic, we knew we were wrong. Since then, communities and industries have had to adapt to the new “coronavirus” normal. One of the industries that have exploded in particular is telemedicine.
Due to social-distancing guidelines and overall safety concerns, patients have been taking trips to the “digital doctor’s office”- virtual appointments from their homes. The transition from the office to home has not been seamless and the rise of telemedicine has presented some challenges. Healthcare providers must ensure that quality, integrity and confidentiality persist through their virtual presence.
Don’t fret – these challenges can be avoided when addressed and taken care of. Continue reading, and we will provide you with the ins and out of telecommunication and teach you how to seamlessly navigate the rise of telemedicine.
Telemedicine: What is it?
Telemedicine is the practice of providing care for patients remotely. Today’s technology allows two-way, real-time interactive communication with patients and doctors by using HIPAA compliant video-conferencing tools. This practice has become popular due to the increased need of allowing access to critical medical specialties from remote locations to reduce exposure to coronavirus.
COVID-19 and Telemedicine
What does telemedicine look like?
Telemedicine can be done in many ways, but the main way it’s seen across the healthcare industry is through contact-less appointments. There is a lot that goes into making sure these virtual appointments are of high-quality and provide a great experience for the patient. Here are a couple of delivery mechanisms that have been used in the rise of telemedicine:
- Global network channels that link physicians with patients
- Software to deliver healthcare services directly or outsourced to independent providers
- Operations Centers for performance monitoring and other patient care services
- Web-based e-health service sites for consumers
Ways to Seamlessly Navigate the Rise of Telecommunication Within Your Company
The best way to transition to telecommunication is to create an app or website for your company to host all your virtual options. In order to ensure that you meet all the needs of your patients and provide a positive virtual experience, here are some must-haves to include:
Patient Scheduling
Patients must be able to schedule appointments with ease. This includes making sure they can cancel, reschedule and add follow-up appointments as needed. Also, it’s important to make sure that doctors stay on-time and on top of all changes made.
Reliable Access to Electronic Medical Records
There should be access to records within your database for doctors and patients. Do this to allow a smooth transition from in-person to in-home appointments. It will also ensure accurate and relevant treatment is given to the patient.
Web Portals and Platforms for Appointments
Application protocol for telemedicine models has been given and HTTP/S is the preferred transport. This transport is recommended for high-quality video and audio, which is an important factor in the patient experience.
If problems do happen, there should be a readily available IT team to assist patients and doctors.
Privacy Protections
This last point may be the most important to include in your telemedicine strategy. It’s essential that your platform protects patient privacy and is protected from any hackers or breaches that may occur. The last thing a doctor or patient wants to do is feel insecure about their medical/health records and information.
Bringing it All Together
A study by FAIR Health suggests that there has been a 4,000% increase in telemedicine claims across the country. Even though it has its challenges, implementing it can be seamless if there is a strategy guiding the process. As a result, this can bring more efficiency than before its time.
Burkhart knows the ins and outs of the seamless navigation of telemedicine. Visit our website today to see how we can help you integrate it into your strategy.
