Why Your Next Doctor Visit Could Be Over The Phone

Fever, sore throat, cough, chills…The last thing anyone with these symptoms wants to do is get out of bed and sit in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. That is if there's even an appointment available.

With telemedicine, healthcare providers can accommodate routine visits virtually. This provides patients with a more convenient way to access care, while reserving in-person appointments for more complex health issues. Other common applications of telemedicine include remote follow-up, treating patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, as well as expanded care for patients in remote or rural locations. Couple virtual visits with the latest wearable health devices such as heart monitors, blood and glucose sensors, and activity trackers, and providers can remotely monitor at-risk patients who require additional care — while also freeing them from frequent in-person visits.

Despite years of buzz and technological advancement, however, telemedicine, or telehealth, has failed to achieve widespread adoption. In fact, most medical consumers aren’t even aware telemedicine is an option — never mind having actually participated in a remote visit with their physician. In concept, telemedicine seems like an ideal solution for many of the current challenges facing healthcare. Patients receive convenient treatment and providers have more time to focus on patients who really need it. So why is adoption lagging? 

The full Forbes article can be viewed at this link.