collaborative post | The emergence of telehealth has been a huge turning point for the global healthcare sector, becoming a powerful way to support wellness and self-care. Millions of people worldwide have embraced the benefits of virtual health services, especially in the United States (US) and Australia, where telehealth has become part of everyday life.
Telehealth was developed to complement in-person care and a recent study has shown that it can be just as effective. In many cases, it offers even better benefits.
The Evidence Cannot be Ignored
A ground-breaking study published by the American Medical Association claimed telehealth and in-person care are equally effective in improving quality of life for patients seeking palliative care.
That study involved 1,250 patients with advanced lung cancer and spanned 22 locations across the US, but the conclusion was definitive.
There was hardly any difference in quality-of-life outcomes between those treated virtually and those who had face-to-face meetings with their doctors.
The result of that study could not have come at a better time. The demand for telehealth services increased at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Waivers were introduced to expand Medicare coverage for a number of medical services. The study came at a time when policymakers were mulling over whether or not to extend those waivers.
However, the impact of telehealth proved that it is a sustainable solution rather than a temporary fix.
One of the leading voices in digital health at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Lee Schwamm, was among those championing the importance of maintaining flexibility in care delivery.
Schwamm was also a co-author of the study, and he said it was ‘really important for providing Congress with the evidence they need to support the concept of extending waivers’.
And it is not just patients who benefit. It greatly reduced the pressure on the healthcare sector, with the research also noting that caregivers were far less stressed when patients could receive care remotely.
How Telehealth Supports Wellbeing for Australians
Australians are enjoying the benefits telehealth provides to promote self-care. It has been a true game-changer where mental health care is concerned.
With virtual care now a cornerstone of the Australian health sector, especially for those in remote communities, telehealth services have become increasingly prevalent.
Choosing the right platform can be tricky, but platforms such as Medicompare provide a handy solution. It gives Australians invaluable insights into telehealth services.
One of the most reputable providers in Australia is updoc. One glance at Medicompare’s updoc review highlights why they are considered major players in telehealth.
Expanding their services to include mental health has made them highly sought after in a country where gaining access to such services can be difficult.
According to a 2021 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than one quarter of mental health services were delivered via telehealth during the height of the pandemic.
Dr Samantha Hart, a clinical psychologist based in Sydney, captured this change beautifully when she emphasised that ‘telehealth has opened doors for those who previously faced significant challenges in accessing care, particularly in regional Australia’.
Telehealth provides the privacy some patients need to feel comfortable seeking support and removes physical and emotional barriers to receiving care.
Making Time for Healthcare
A typical in-person appointment can take more than half a day when you factor in the time it takes to drive to the medical facility, wait your turn and get prescribed medication from a pharmacy.
That is not sustainable for everyone, but telehealth saves some of that time. It offers the flexibility that allows people to make time for care rather than upend everything to make room for it.
Telehealth has been a massive boost for people from all walks of life. Working class people have benefited the most from the emergence of telehealth.
Many people feel more comfortable opening up from the comfort of their home. But healthcare workers are also enjoying the benefits of telehealth.
A survey found that 78 percent of healthcare providers delivering telehealth said it significantly reduced their stress, burnout and fatigue, further highlighting its benefits.
