There are a lot of unfortunate realities about life in capitalist societies, particularly in the United States – one of the main issues being that corporations try to profit off anything and everything.
What’s one of the most important things for a human being? Their health and well-being. This, sadly, means that those in charge of Big Pharma and the healthcare industries can charge an arm and a leg – sometimes quite literally – for people who are simply interested in keeping themselves healthy.
Fortunately, things may soon be changing. With the advent of technology, more and more people are beginning to offer more affordable alternatives to the traditional model of healthcare. Telehealth, for example, is currently changing the entire industry.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth is a branch of medicine that deals with providing services to patients through the use of information technology, like the telephone or the Internet. Telehealth is able to provide people with a number of services, including:
- The diagnosis of certain ailments
- Prescribing medication, which can be sent to the nearest pharmacy
- Helping patients manage mental illnesses
- Offering advice and education about certain ailments or conditions
- Monitoring the condition of certain patients
- Providing intervention in cases where this is necessary
Why Is Telehealth Beneficial?
There are a number of reasons that telehealth could be beneficial for both patients and doctors or therapists.
- It’s much more accessible. Patients are able to get prescribed medication, have their conditions diagnosed, or otherwise receive medical assistance from the comfort of their homes or while they’re on-the-go.
- It’s more affordable. Many people are overwhelmed by the high costs of healthcare, and while telehealth might not presently be considered cheap, it can certainly be more affordable than the alternative. In addition, transportation costs are reduced.
- It is not stigmatized. This is particularly important for people who are seeking treatment for mental health and may be concerned about the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. With telehealth, they can seek treatment without being seen or judged by anyone, primarily via what’s known as e-counseling.
How Does This Impact Healthcare Practitioners?
It’s not just the patients who are going to experience changes by switching to telehealth. Doctors, therapists, and other healthcare practitioners may see some changes as well.
- Doctors and therapists may be able to make more money. While they might initially make less for each patient that they see through telehealth, the convenience of scheduling and information storage means that they might actually be able to see more patients, thus earning more money.
- Healthcare workers can reach a wider audience. By providing an easy system through which practitioners can connect with patients, telehealth is able to allow doctors and therapists to offer their services to more people than they would be able to otherwise.
There’s little doubt that the advent of telehealth has made huge changes in the healthcare industry, and it seems like these changes will only continue to manifest in new and exciting ways. If you think that these benefits could improve your life, don’t hesitate to sign up for telehealth.
Credit for Featured Image: mHealth Intelligence Blog
