There’s no question that the global pandemic, first in its early stages and now through the rise of the Delta variant has given rise to the booming business of telemedicine. At the start of the pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, over 1.6 million telehealth visits were logged.
What exactly counts as telemedicine? It isn’t the same thing as telehealth, as telehealth constitutes remote non-clinical services. Telemedicine includes remote clinical services such as the ability to diagnose conditions, screen symptoms, mental health services, and offer low-risk urgent care. Telemedicine also includes the ability to support nursing home staff which takes care of the most vulnerable of our populations which cannot afford the health risks of travel. Specialists are also be brought in to a population which may lack certain medical specializations leading to a greater continuity of care.
Telehealth platforms include video calls, emails, mobile, texting, and phone. More advanced solutions include remote patient monitoring (RPM).
Given how easy telehealth and telemedicine is, many patients, now that they have had a taste, want it to continue. Healthcare should be a right for all – and has never been more accessible through the booming business of telemedicine. Learn more about this growing health trend through the following visual deep dive below.
