As a result of the global pandemic, remote healthcare access became essential. This was due to the demand for medical services exceeding the capacity of existing facilities, making it impossible for patients to visit their healthcare providers in person. For example, telehealth accounted for 23.6% of contacts in the first four months of the pandemic, up from 0.3% in 2023.
It is virtually certain that telehealth will be there over the long haul, especially in light of the fact that COVID19 will become endemic by 2024.
It was initially thought that the demand for remote patient care would have diminished by now. However, we have seen a steady rise in demand, necessitating healthcare providers to make substantial adjustments to the way they deliver remote patient care. Doctors are partly responsible for this, however, IT departments and software developers also have a part to play.
Remote care would be impossible without the right software and services. Companies may therefore need to outsource their development in order to remain competitive. What other steps must be taken in the next year for remote healthcare to become standard practice, aside from having the necessary personnel to create the necessary tools?
So, let’s check it out.
Video Conferences as a Group Activity
Thanks to technologies that comply with HIPAA/PIPEDA, such as Zoom, one-on-one telehealth conversations between a doctor and a patient are becoming increasingly common. However, what happens when it is essential to meet as a group? Given the potential erosion of social resilience to psychological stress during the current pandemic, it is likely that this sector will experience rapid growth in 2023.
In the forthcoming months and years, the introduction of group video sessions will greatly enhance the effectiveness of mental health treatment. As more and more people become reluctant or unable to partake in face-to-face interactions, access to counselling and therapy will be increasingly facilitated through telehealth.
One of the most significant obstacles that healthcare institutions face when implementing group video sessions is guaranteeing that all patients have access to the session in a secure environment. The utilisation of mobile phones could potentially lead to a patient taking part in a meeting in an open space, which would contravene HIPAA regulations. As such, it is essential to always act in accordance with the law.
System-wide Interfaces
Patients need to become familiar with a range of systems, which is a considerable challenge at present. This needs to change. To ensure that remote healthcare is able to meet growing demand and is sufficiently user-friendly, multiple systems should be combined into one central platform.
It is important that patients are not required to use multiple systems for the different aspects of a remote session, including sign-in, insurance, compliance and the session itself. If these are not unified into a single system, telehealth will be unable to meet the current demands.
Developers will need to take on a significant responsibility to ensure that all systems are compatible and meet HIPAA compliance standards. To achieve this, cloud computing may need to be employed.
Infirmity of the Immune System in the Elderly Switch to an Online System Immediately
It is expected that the main users of remote healthcare services in the coming year will be seniors and those with weakened immune systems. This is due to the heightened risk of these groups spreading infection if they are to engage in face-to-face contact. Therefore, it is likely that these demographics will be the first to continue to use remote healthcare services.
It is plausible that both groups could opt to make telemedicine their primary healthcare provider. This would not only enable facilities to offer improved care to the public, but would also minimize the number of in-person visits necessary. Additionally, hospitals and other organizations may need to consider employing telemedicine professionals.
The Use of Technology to Monitor Patients Remotely
Telemedicine and remote patient monitoring present exciting opportunities for growth. Wearable technology could improve efficiency in these areas, by reducing the need for in-person medical appointments and enhancing telehealth services, allowing physicians to better monitor their patients remotely.
We are at the forefront of modern technology, as wearables are now able to monitor vital signs and other patient data. Tracking contact through devices such as smartwatches and mobile phones is likely to become increasingly popular, particularly as more variants of COVID-19 emerge.
The Need for AI and the Internet of Things
Wearable technology and AI/IoT will be essential for gathering and analyzing important data. Imagine a home that is fitted with IoT powered by AI, which can interpret data sent from a wearable and respond accordingly. After it is activated, an Internet of Things device may initiate a telehealth consultation.
For remote healthcare to provide an effective and trustworthy way to meet rising demand, this is the path it must go in the next year.
Growth in Telehealth Use Among Specific Populations
The uptake of telehealth amongst younger, older and wealthier populations is one of the major challenges facing the sector. It is evident that those who are socially and economically disadvantaged are not able to benefit from this. If telehealth is to be adopted on a larger scale, it is essential that adequate resources are allocated in order to ensure that these underserved populations have access to it.
This requires not just making people aware of the alternative, but also developing systems that work well in regions with limited bandwidth.
Conclusion
As the demand for remote medical services is anticipated to surge in the coming years, it is essential that healthcare providers are agile enough to accommodate the changes in the market and relevant regulations. Whilst this may present a challenge, the wider community will benefit greatly if service providers are able to make remote medical services more accessible, dependable, and user-friendly.
