Covid-19 is a disease that rapidly spread across the world. Unlike the usual flu or plague, COVID-19 was first identified on 31 December 2019 and quickly spread to nearly every state. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a game-changer as it increased the use of Telehealth services. Telehealth allows patients to consult with their doctors remotely, using video conferencing or other technologies.
Most states started loosening their license requirements during the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak. This was a typical response to many infections/diseases, which in turn facilitated the increase in usage of Telehealth by numerous practitioners. Loosening the license requirements enabled many practitioners around the country to help those in need. For example, an orthopedic surgeon in Florida could use these services to assist a patient on the west coast. By December 2021, 90% of states had enacted new laws regarding Telehealth, specifically authorizing its use during a disaster or public health emergency.
Telehealth Post Covid-19 Pandemic
Change in How People View Telehealth
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, people all over the country started to take Telehealth more seriously. This is a huge leap from when it was first introduced in 2013. At that time, it was mostly used by seniors looking for increased independence and convenience, not out of necessity.
The pandemic has forced many people to confront their mortality and think about their healthcare needs differently. As a result, there has been a shift in how people view Telehealth.
A recent study by the University of Michigan found that patients who used Telehealth during the pandemic were more likely to continue using it even after the pandemic. The study found that the patients said it was easy to use, convenient, and helpful in managing their health.
Telehealth can play an important role in a vaccinated world by providing continued access to care for people who are immunocompromised or live in rural areas. Telehealth can also help people who are hesitant to vaccinate or have difficulty getting to a vaccine site.
Chronic Care Management Hasn’t Changed.
Chronic Care Management (CCM) Programs were still functioning as usual, despite Covid-19. CCM programs still offered these patients the same types of care before the pandemic. The difference is that it is easier for patients to work with their healthcare providers using Telehealth.
Despite the nationwide vaccinations and loosening licensure requirements, chronic care management hasn’t changed. Immunocompromised people still need to get the same care, or the same level of care, whether or not they can access it remotely. The same is true for people who live in rural areas.
While the pandemic has led to a boom in Telehealth, it is evident that some challenges still need to be addressed.
They include:
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Inadequate Infrastructure
Telecom infrastructure is still inadequate, and more investment is needed to connect hospitals and clinics with the internet. Ineffective consumer engagement: Telehealth patient engagement tools have yet to be standardized across all providers, creating gaps that can be detrimental in situations where access may be limited.
Telehealth patient engagement tools have yet to be standardized therefore limiting their access.
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Low patient engagement
Yes, Covid-19 has created a boom in the industry, but telehealth patients are not yet fully engaged with the system, leading to poor clinical outcomes and a lack of adherence to follow-up appointments.
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Need for Better Data Integration
Despite the CDC and the American Telemedicine Association creating a list of dos and don’ts for Telehealth during an epidemic, there is still no data-driven approach to telemedicine during a pandemic. There still needs to be better integration of data collected from different sources. Collecting, analyzing, and making sense of information from different sources can help improve the way health care professionals deliver care and the quality of patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 outbreak was a harsh reality check for the nation. It forced people to confront their mortality and think about their healthcare needs differently. Despite the minor challenges expressed, Telehealth overall has made it easier for patients in rural areas and immunocompromised people to get the care they need. It is evident that Telehealth is here to stay and will play an even bigger role in healthcare delivery in the years to come.
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