The Advantages of Telemedicine: Transforming Healthcare with Technology

At Affiliated Medical Group, we have been pioneers in providing psychiatric, behavioral, and mental health care through the power of telemedicine since 2014. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated our shift towards telemedicine, and the results have been remarkable. In this article, we will explore the concept of telemedicine and delve into the numerous benefits it brings to healthcare.
 

What is Telemedicine?

"Telemedicine is the use of information and communications technology to provide health care services to individuals who are some distance from the health care provider" (Roine et al., 2001). By utilizing real-time audio-visual connections and digital platforms, telemedicine has opened up new possibilities in providing health services to individuals who are physically distant from their healthcare providers. This dynamic method of care delivery not only enhances accessibility for patients but also offers medical practitioners innovative tools ”to facilitate diagnosis, referral, monitoring, medical information interchange, and interventions to offset higher costs associated with hard-to-access patients" (Deslich, Stec, Tomblin & Coustasse, 2013). At Affiliated Medical Group, we offer telemedicine services through real-time audio-visual connections between patients and their providers, enabling seamless communication and care.
 

Closing the Gap for Rural Patients

Rural areas often face significant challenges in accessing specialized healthcare services. Telemedicine serves as an alternative option, increasing access to healthcare for patients who lack appropriate care. "Telemedicine has the potential to be a major part of the solution for rural patients. Currently, 85% of rural adults report using the internet, and 71% of rural adults own a smartphone. Telemedicine can act as an alternative option for these patients who already lack appropriate access to care." (Kichloo et al., 2020). With the prevalence of internet and smartphone usage in rural communities, telemedicine becomes an accessible and viable solution for patients who would otherwise have to travel long distances to see a specialist.
 

Benefits in Different Settings

Telepsychiatry has proven beneficial in various settings beyond traditional healthcare facilities, making mental healthcare more accessible to diverse patient populations:

1. College Students: For college students residing in rural areas, telepsychiatry facilitates access to appropriate psychiatric care with minimal disruption to their daily activities (Deslich, Stec, Tomblin & Coustasse, 2013). Additionally, in some cases, college students may be able to continue care with their established providers even while in a different area for college.
2. Incarcerated Individuals: Inmates in correctional facilities are also an underserved population needing appropriate behavioral health treatment. Access to psychiatric treatment in correctional facilities is minimal. As a significant number of incarcerated individuals have diagnosable mental diseases, effective treatment is imperative in efforts to prevent recidivism. Telepsychiatry has been found to be a viable option for reaching this population in a safe and secure manner” (Deslich, Stec, Tomblin & Coustasse, 2013).
3. People with Mobility Issues and/or Disabilities: Telemedicine extends its reach to patients with limited mobility, such as elderly individuals or those with disabilities, who can receive expert mental health care from the comfort of their homes, promoting convenience and inclusivity. Telepsychiatry enables individuals with mobility challenges to access mental healthcare without the need for travel, ensuring equitable care for all.
4. Homebound Individuals: For patients who are unable to leave their homes due to various reasons, telemedicine provides a lifeline to vital mental health services.
5. Frequent Travelers: In many cases, telemedicine allows individuals who frequently travel for work to continue receiving the mental healthcare they need without disruption.

Cost and Environmental Benefits

One of the major advantages of telemedicine is its potential for cost savings. At Affiliated Medical Group, we recognize that cost is a significant barrier to care for many patients. As a result, cost-effectiveness is a priority for us, and telemedicine has proven to be a cost-effective solution for both our patients and our clinic. Patients benefit from reduced transportation costs and other expenses associated with physical visits, significantly enhancing their overall healthcare experience. By reducing travel burden and costs, telemedicine proves to be particularly beneficial for patients in remote regions, where accessing traditional healthcare services can be challenging.
"Increasingly, telehealth technologies are being adopted and implemented as an efficient and cost-effective means for delivering and accessing quality health care services and outcomes. Telemedicine has the potential to reduce American health care spending by decreasing problems like medication misuse, unnecessary emergency department visits, and prolonged hospitalizations" (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). As we continue to leverage telemedicine at Affiliated Medical Group, we strive to optimize resources and minimize financial burden while ensuring the delivery of top-notch mental healthcare to our patients.
Moreover, Kichloo, et al. (2020), raise a compelling point: "It is also important to mention the impact telemedicine may have on healthcare's carbon footprint. Replacing in-person visits with telemedicine appointments has the potential to decrease carbon emissions via reducing travel to and from appointments. This may serve to argue for the use of telemedicine not only for those who lack access to traditional medical care but as a staple for ordinary healthcare delivery."
Incorporating telemedicine into our healthcare practices not only yields economic benefits but also contributes to building a greener and more sustainable healthcare system, reducing our environmental impact while improving access to quality care for all our patients.
 

Support During Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine in maintaining care continuity during challenging times. "The benefits of telemedicine are obvious when it comes to social distancing and decreased use of emergency departments" (Kichloo, et al., 2020). According to Kichloo, et al. (2020), the improved access enabled by telemedicine is particularly crucial in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, where physical distancing and travel restrictions make traditional in-person consultations challenging. Beyond pandemic support, telemedicine continues to play a crucial role in reducing the risk of exposure to infectious diseases by eliminating time spent in the waiting room and overall physical presence within the office. By removing the need to physically visit the office, which often comes with sharing a waiting room with other patients who may be carrying illnesses like a cold or the flu, there is reduced exposure to any germs that could cause illness. Telemedicine thus ensures patient safety while maintaining access to essential medical services.
 

Enhanced Efficiency of Mental Health Services

Efficiency is key to delivering exceptional mental health services. At Affiliated Medical Group, telemedicine has enabled us to streamline healthcare delivery, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced waiting times for patients. Physicians can attend to more patients by utilizing time gaps in their schedules for virtual visits, enabling rural hospitals to access specialist care and even facilitating international collaboration. Furthermore, “telemedicine appointments may virtually eliminate travel and waiting times, dramatically increasing the proportion of patients’ face-to-face time with their physicians.” (Kichloo et al., 2020). This efficient use of resources translates to improved healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.
 

Improved Quality of Care

At Affiliated Medical Group, we prioritize providing patients with quality care. According to Deslich, Stec, Tomblin & Coustasse (2013), "A significant benefit of telemedicine has been in giving patients who were previously unable to be treated a sense of freedom, confidence, and understanding of their psychiatric illness. When patients are satisfied with their level of care, they are more apt to follow treatment procedures and thus recover or, at the very least, acquire good care. Also, because technology has become more affordable in society today versus even a decade ago, the majority of patients are able to connect to their physician by using their own equipment at home." Additionally, telemedicine "offers a number of advantages from the healthcare provider’s perspective. Through monitoring patients in their home environments, physicians may be provided with deeper insights into patients' social determinants of health" (Kichloo et al., 2020). Based on existing research, it is evident that telemedicine can be equal to in-person care across various specialties, reinforcing our commitment to providing exceptional mental healthcare through telemedicine at Affiliated Medical Group.
 

Patient Satisfaction and Engagement

At Affiliated Medical Group, patient satisfaction and engagement are at the core of our practice. Telemedicine has played a significant role in achieving high patient satisfaction rates. Patients appreciate the convenience and flexibility of virtual consultations, empowering them to actively manage their mental health from the comfort of their homes. As Gajarawala & Pelkowski (2021) state, "Better access to care, convenience, and reduced stress with telehealth use also can increase patient satisfaction." This increased engagement has translated into higher patient satisfaction and better treatment outcomes, a testament to the effectiveness of telemedicine.
Telemedicine has emerged as a transformative force at Affiliated Medical Group, allowing us to extend our reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients. Our personal journey with telemedicine, combined with the wealth of research supporting its benefits, reinforces its critical role in healthcare. As technology continues to evolve, telemedicine will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of mental healthcare and improving access to high-quality services for all.
 

References:

Deslich, S., Stec, B., Tomblin, S., & Coustasse, A. (2013). Telepsychiatry in the 21(st) century: transforming healthcare with technology. Perspectives in health information management, 10(Summer), 1f.
 
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth Benefits and Barriers. The journal for nurse practitioners: JNP, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
 
Kichloo, A., Albosta, M., Dettloff, K., Wani, F., El-Amir, Z., Singh, J., Aljadah, M., Chakinala, R. C., Kanugula, A. K., Solanki, S., & Chugh, S. (2020). Telemedicine, the current COVID-19 pandemic and the future: a narrative review and perspectives moving forward in the USA. Family medicine and community health, 8(3), e000530. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2020-000530
 
Roine, R., Ohinmaa, A., & Hailey, D. (2001, September 18). Assessing Telemedicine: A Systematic Review of the Literature. CMAJ. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/165/6/765.full