We have come a long way from those early days of playing Solitaire on our first home computers! Today, it's difficult to live without at least a cell phone, but most of us also need a computer or tablet just to manage daily life. In many ways, technology makes our lives very convenient. We can look up information, go shopping, share photos with family, send emails, chat face to face with loved ones, and keep up with friends through text messaging.
One of the more recent uses of technology, though, takes convenience to a whole new level. Today, it is possible to manage a visit with a healthcare provider from home using a phone, computer, or tablet. Telehealth, or telemedicine, is the use of digital communication to remotely connect with a doctor, specialist, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare professional right from the comfort of your own home.
Telehealth has gained in popularity since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic. The airborne nature of the virus made it necessary to keep patients out of the waiting room and to bring fewer people through a medical office each day. To limit person to person exposure, healthcare providers became proficient at telemedicine appointments so that they could safely serve their patients.
Since seniors have been one of the highest risk groups for Covid complications, this method of medical care has been a huge benefit. Though the virus seems to have calmed down in severity, telehealth remains a popular way of visiting doctors.
Telehealth visits are often far more flexible to accommodate a patient's schedule, and they are convenient for individuals who live in rural settings or far away from their providers. Seniors who rely on others for transportation enjoy the ability to skip all those coordination steps in order to see their doctor. It is also helpful that telemedicine is not impacted by weather, unless of course there is a power outage wherever the doctor or patient is based.
Telehealth was not always covered by insurance, but the need for it during the pandemic changed that. Now, insurance will often cover telehealth visits, which makes them an affordable option for seniors who prefer the flexibility of remote appointments. It is important to check with your insurance provider to find out if your visit will be covered. Medicare covers telemedicine for certain services and specific diseases.
As we age and begin to deal with more health concerns and diseases, it becomes necessary to see a variety of specialists for healthcare. Telehealth is great for specialist care, as individuals can manage more appointments in less time with less travel.
Often, specialists are farther away than someone's primary doctor. Also, specialists have very busy schedules, which makes coordinating a visit difficult. With telehealth, patients can skip all of the steps around transportation and schedule management. This will reduce their stress leading up to the appointment so that they can focus all of their attention on the doctor and what information is being shared.
Patients will still have to visit labs and outpatient centers to do bloodwork, run tests, and get images processed. But lab scheduling is usually simpler than trying to make an office appointment, and patients can typically work those into a convenient time in their own day. Once the labs are performed, the patient and doctor can connect during a telemedicine appointment to discuss the results and the next steps. Lab appointments also help to ensure that patients are getting their vitals recorded so that doctors also have that information.
The main barrier to using telemedicine for healthcare appointments is working with the technology. Many seniors limit their use of the kinds of devices that are used for telehealth and are not equipped to set themselves up for appointments.
Most medical offices are aware of this obstacle and have initiated a pre-appointment strategy where someone will call the individual prior to the appointment to help them get ready. The provider representative will answer any questions the patient has about security and the system being used, and then walk them through the steps of joining the appointment. Medical offices might also recommend that the patient have a family member help them join the appointment and then stay nearby in case of technical difficulties.
Patients who have vision or hearing complications may qualify for equipment that makes telemedicine accessible. Call your insurance provider if this applies to your situation.
Some seniors are limited in their ability to do telehealth because they do not have a device that is appropriate for the service. Most telemedicine visits are done through a secure video chat service. When the patient cannot join a video call, the regular phone is a great alternative. Phone call visits may not accomplish the same goals as a full telehealth visit, but they are a great way to review medications, symptoms, and lab results, as well as obtain referrals.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported that individuals who participated in telehealth visits were generally satisfied with their experience. Their top benefit was convenience, and their main frustration was dealing with technical issues. Of the participants who preferred in-person care, they appreciated the availability of telehealth when needed.
Generally speaking, people like to work face to face with their doctors and other healthcare providers. But when visits are frequent, far away, or only needed for discussion purposes, patients are happy to have telemedicine appointments rather than make the trip to their provider's office. If you have not yet had a telehealth visit with your doctor, consider asking about it when you make a future appointment. You may be able to save yourself some time and travel planning.