In the UK, we have seen a surge in the number of patients who are choosing to access their healthcare virtually. Virtual healthcare is being used more frequently by both individuals and businesses alike, with over 25% of people have already accessed it. The reasons why virtual health has become such an attractive option for so many people in recent years are varied and include a higher level of convenience, increased privacy, and lower costs than traditional methods such as a visit to your GP or hospital.
Virtual healthcare in the UK
If you’re in the UK, you might be wondering about the future of virtual healthcare. As a country, we are still in the very early stages of adoption. But if you look around at what’s currently happening in other parts of the world and consider how it could be applied here, it becomes clear that this is an area ripe for disruption and improvement.
Virtual healthcare is an emerging field that uses technology to connect patients and doctors, who may or may not be geographically close together. It can take many forms: telehealth (the use of technology to bridge distances); telemedicine (medical care delivered via telecommunications); remote monitoring; mobile apps; mobile devices like tablets or smartphones; smartwatches; virtual reality headsets…and more!
How is virtual healthcare accessed?
You can access virtual healthcare in a variety of ways. It’s important to know that these methods of telehealth are not mutually exclusive, but many people use all or a combination of them:
- Telehealth is accessed via the Internet. You can use telehealth websites to interact with your provider, receive treatment and keep up with your health goals.
- Via mobile phone apps. Many apps offer features such as symptom checkers and self-management tools for chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma, which are vital to helping you manage your condition at home without having to see a doctor in person every time something happens.
- It can be accessed via video conferencing technology like Skype or Zoom. Allowing you to communicate one-on-one with your doctor using audio/visual equipment so that they can examine you from afar and help you manage any concerns that might arise during treatment sessions without having to schedule extra appointments just for questions about side effects or whether it’s okay if I eat pizza today because my blood sugar has been low lately.
How does it work?
Telehealth is a way of providing healthcare remotely. It can be used to treat patients in rural areas, and also those who are too ill to travel or too young to need an in-person visit. Virtual visits start with an appointment, where a doctor meets with either the patient or their caregiver via video conference from their home or office. The doctor can then review medical records and any other information provided by the patient before making diagnoses and treatment recommendations, which are then communicated back through this same channel.
Advantages of virtual healthcare
When it comes to virtual healthcare, its benefits are many. One major advantage is the convenience of being able to access care from home or anywhere else with an internet connection. Many patients have busy schedules and may not be able to make it into a doctor’s office during normal business hours—virtual appointments allow them to book appointments at times that work best for them. Additionally, there’s no need for expensive travel costs or lost time away from work or school when you schedule virtual appointments!
Another great benefit of virtual healthcare is its accessibility for patients who have disabilities which makes travelling difficult (or impossible). While some people might feel uncomfortable about seeing a therapist over Skype, this form of therapy can be a lifesaver for those who can’t get around easily.
Disadvantages of telehealth
Telehealth has its drawbacks, though. For starters, you might have to wait longer to get an appointment because telehealth practices are just getting off the ground and haven’t yet built up their patient bases. That means there aren’t enough doctors to accommodate all of their patients’ appointments.
Telehealth can also be challenging for people who live in rural areas or don’t have internet access at home—this makes it harder for them to access telehealth services because they may need to travel long distances just so they can use their devices and computers. In addition, telemedicine doesn’t always provide the same level of privacy and confidentiality that in-person medical care does (for example, there’s no guarantee that your computer won’t be hacked). And if you’re able to get an appointment with a doctor via video conference call but they can’t understand your symptoms properly due simply because they aren’t physically present with you during the visit or examination, then this could cause delays in getting treatment as well as lead them astray when deciding what course of treatment is right for you
There are many different ways in which patients can access healthcare guidance virtually.
- There are many different ways in which patients can access healthcare guidance virtually.
- Telehealth is a growing area of healthcare that allows patients to access medical advice and treatment through mobile apps, internet connections, video calls, telephone calls, and chat rooms.
Virtual healthcare is a relatively new concept that has been embraced by many of the world’s leading health organisations. It offers a number of benefits over traditional methods, but it also has some drawbacks. The future looks bright for virtual healthcare and we can only expect this trend to continue as technology advances and becomes more accessible to everyone.
