Discover 6 Reasons Why Telemedicine Is Important In Rural Areas

Last updated on September 10, 2021

For the last few years, healthcare providers have been working towards providing more services via Telemedicine. But the Covid-19 pandemic has indeed accelerated the telemedicine revolution by a decade or more. People are seeing this model now, which healthcare providers thought would take many years to develop. 

What is Telemedicine? 

In simple terms, Telemedicine is the use of technology by a healthcare provider to diagnose and treat patients from remote areas. 

According to a study published by Conor Stewart, “In 2020, 43% of the surveyed American adults consulted their healthcare providers through a live video call; this was a significant increase from the preceding years”. The rise in accessing healthcare facilities via virtual formats has increased significantly in urban settings compared to rural areas. Healthcare providers in rural communities are less likely to adopt this new method due to barriers like:

1. Higher implementation costs
2. Technological issues
3. Lack of awareness about the importance of Telemedicine

Compared to urban communities, rural neighborhoods have a higher percentage of the older population, more health discrepancies, a lower volume of patients in healthcare facilities, and a lack of proper infrastructure. Numerous reports show an increase in Covid cases and deaths in rural areas compared to urban communities. Based on these factors, it is crucial to implement a robust method of Telemedicine in rural areas. 

Benefits of Telemedicine

Telemedicine, to a great extent, will help rural residents with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, and people suffering from mental health conditions. It will aid people who have been to prison, tribal populations, and people from remote islands. It will also save lives in areas affected by natural calamities. 

In rural areas, Telemedicine offers services like:

1. Home monitoring
2. Intensive care units
3. Long-term care
4. Chronic care management intervention
5. Remote counseling
6. Online therapy
7. Telepharmacy
8. School-based Telehealth
9. Emergency care

Reasons Why Telemedicine is Important in Rural Areas

1. Convenience and commitment – Many patients in rural areas hesitate to go to a hospital, especially after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This virtual healthcare system has helped create better communication between doctors and patients in a more convenient setting. That ensures that medical information remains confidential, which makes people more comfortable asking for help.
2. Save lives in emergencies – One of the significant advantages of adopting Telemedicine is saving lives in emergencies. During an emergency, it’s challenging to take the patient to a hospital, especially if they are in a remote area.
3. Eliminates the possibility of transmission of infectious diseases – Another advantage of Telemedicine is it lowers the spread of contagious diseases between healthcare professionals and patients.
4. Offers services to new patients – It allows hospitals in rural areas to offer services to existing patients and new patients. Patients who prefer not to visit a doctor can now have virtual consultation. This method also eliminates the need to make appointments, driving to urgent care, and waiting in the emergency room.
5. Encourages medication compliance – Most residents in rural areas are not willing or able to travel long distances for brief check-ups. Hence, monitoring patients who are on medication becomes highly challenging. Most of the time, patients stop taking medicine if they run out of it or feel better. Telemedicine initiatives enable quick check-ins, which further enhances medication adherence and prevents medication errors.
6. Promotes good health – An essential benefit of Telemedicine is that it allows patients to practice better management of medications and improve lifestyle and any chronic conditions. They are more likely to see a doctor regularly. 

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