4 Ways Telemedicine Will Transform the World of Healthcare

Telemedicine, a relatively new technology, is changing the healthcare industry as we know it. The technology enables patients to consult their doctors via a fast, secure video link connection. This is in contrast to traditional consultations where the doctor and the patient must be in the same room. Behind the success of telemedicine is the widespread use of both the internet and the smartphone.

Because these two technologies are evolving rapidly, industry experts consider telemedicine the future of healthcare. In fact, CloudClink, a telemedicine platform, predicts that the industry will be worth US$1.9 billion in 2018. So, how will telemedicine transform the world of healthcare? Here are few ways how.

1) Greater Access to Healthcare Services

The greatest impact of telemedicine is felt by two groups of patients. One comprises poor patients living in rural locations - far from medical care and without the means to access it. The other is that of patients with limited mobility, such as the elderly, bedridden, or those with special needs. Without telemedicine, these vulnerable groups would otherwise miss out on healthcare.

The impact of the technology is not only felt by the sick. Health providers and professionals can now extend their reach beyond the walls of a hospital and into patients' homes. This way, the healthcare industry can reach millions of new patients.

2) Improved Quality of Healthcare

When compared to traditional face-to-face consultations, telemedicine is just as effective. It has the same patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. But, where telemedicine excels more is in patient support and follow-up. Patients in the habit of missing consultations because they find them inconvenient no longer have an excuse for doing so.

This is particularly true if they do not need a physical examination during the follow-up. All they need is a smartphone, an internet connection, and some privacy for the follow up to happen right from the comfort of their home.

3) Cost Reduction

Telemedicine reduces the cost of healthcare for both the patient and the doctor or health service provider. As a result, rural patients save on traveling costs. Doctors, on the other hand, do more follow-ups on a patient, so they reduce the rate of costly re-admissions. In addition, they can see more patients.

By combining telemedicine with health informatics, hospitals cut their costs, too. The combination increases a hospital's efficiency through better record keeping and patient outcomes. However, for a hospital to benefit from the use of informatics, it must hire qualified individuals to manage its informatics system. Such individuals must at least have an online health information management degree. Fortunately, many online colleges offer online HIM degree programs that are recognized by most respected institutions.

Patients are the primary beneficiaries of telemedicine, and they know it. They, therefore, want it as part of their health package. This demand shows no signs of abating in the future. On the contrary, it will only increase, and with this increase, patients will be more involved in matters regarding their health.