Changes to healthcare delivery during the pandemic are essential to reduce staff exposure to sick individuals, conserve personal protective equipment (PPE), and lessen the strain on facilities from patient surges. Healthcare systems need to adapt their triage, evaluation, and patient care processes, focusing on methods that do not require in-person visits. Telehealth services play a vital role in providing necessary care while minimizing the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, to both healthcare personnel (HCP) and patients.
Though telehealth technology isn’t a new concept, its widespread adoption among HCP and patients has been relatively gradual, moving beyond basic phone calls. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a noticeable increase in interest regarding telehealth services from both healthcare providers and patients. However, recent policy changes during the pandemic have diminished barriers to accessing telehealth and promoted its use for delivering acute, chronic, primary, and specialty care. Many professional medical societies support telehealth services and offer guidance on practicing within this shifting landscape. Additionally, telehealth has the potential to improve patient health outcomes.
There are several telehealth modalities that enable HCP and patients to connect using technology to provide healthcare:
• **Synchronous**: This involves real-time interactions via telephone or online video, typically using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In some cases, additional medical equipment (like digital stethoscopes or otoscopes) can be used by another HCP (such as a nurse or medical assistant) with the patient while the consulting provider conducts a remote assessment.
• **Asynchronous**: This method uses “store and forward” technology, where messages, images, or data are captured at one moment and analyzed later. Patient portals often facilitate this kind of secure communication between providers and patients.
• **Remote patient monitoring**: This enables the transmission of a patient’s clinical measurements from a distance, which may or may not be in real-time, to their healthcare provider.
Telehealth services can support public health measures during the pandemic by promoting social distancing. By reducing potential exposure to infections, these services present a safer option for both HCP and patients. They also help alleviate pressure on healthcare systems by lessening patient demand on facilities and decreasing PPE usage among healthcare providers.
Maintaining continuity of care is crucial to avoid the negative impacts of delayed preventive, chronic, or routine treatments. Remote access to healthcare services can enhance participation among medically or socially vulnerable individuals and those without easy access to providers. Moreover, it can help preserve the patient-provider relationship for situations when an in-person visit is impractical or unfeasible.
Telehealth services may be utilized to:
– Screen patients for potential COVID-19 symptoms and make appropriate referrals.
– Provide low-risk urgent care for non-COVID-19 conditions and identify patients who may require further medical consultation, making referrals as necessary.
– Connect with medical aid providers and specialists, including mental and behavioral health professionals, for chronic health conditions and medication management.
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