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Long waits to see a doctor are a public health crisis
By Oliver Kharraz May 2, 2023
“Long wait times are not just an inconvenience, they’re a public health disaster. According to a study published in Preventive Medicine Reports, delays in medical care may increase morbidity and mortality risk among those with underlying, preventable, and treatable medical conditions. In a survey my company conducted, nearly 3 in 4 Americans said it was easier to go to the ER than to get a doctor’s appointment. We also found that although 84% of Americans have an established relationship with a primary care physician, 65% would still visit the ER if they couldn’t get in to see a doctor at the office quickly enough.”
How Telemedicine is transforming healthcare
When Covid-19 struck the United States earlier this year, telemedicine proved life-saving, facilitating safe and effective patient care from afar and helping physicians pool their resources at a time when the virus strained the healthcare system.
“I think it's fair to say that telemedicine helped stop the collapse of the health system here in the U.S.,” says Steve Allen, director of health solutions for Intel’s Health and Life Sciences group. “Now, it's becoming recognized as valuable technology with real benefits to all parties.”
Advancements in computing and AI made cutting-edge applications of telemedicine possible years ago. In large part, what stood in the way of full deployment until now was policy.
But after Covid-19 was declared a national health emergency in March, the federal government relaxed regulations out of necessity, enabling wider implementation and opening the floodgates of innovation. Medicare began compensating physicians for a broader range of telehealth services. Meanwhile, enforcement of certain HIPAA restrictions were effectively waived, allowing doctors to treat patients and prescribe medication through their screens.
Now, says Allen, "the genie is out of the bottle.”
The Evolution Of Concierge Telemedicine As We Know It
August 22, 2022 Dr. Vineet Sandhu
Today many rely on concierge telemedicine for their routine doctor’s visits, where they have a greater chance of finding a medical professional to best suit their unique needs. In addition to saving on gas and the hassle of waiting rooms and potentially exposing themselves to other illnesses, patients who take the route of concierge telemedicine can often get faster access to medical scripts and pharmacy prescriptions that can be delivered right to the door. Considering many of the telehealth services have doctors available 24/7, the problem of scheduling also becomes insignificant. If you’re currently struggling with a medical scare or are in need of a quick prescription for one of your regular medications, consider the alternative of meeting with a provider (sic.) via telemedicine from the comfort of your own home