It is not often that a technology shift happens and changes the inner workings of an industry. Telemedicine has been an idea in the healthcare industry for decades but has only recently seen widespread adoption. The results have been positive and widely accepted, leading many professionals and patients to think that telemedicine will be a permanent addition to the healthcare industry. In this article, we discuss the future of telemedicine.
Telemedicine is Permanent
Telemedicine is not going away once the world returns to a more normal state of operations. While many people are seeing the benefits of telemedicine when people are isolated and unable to travel to care facilities, these are conditions that exist all of the time for certain people. There is a need for telemedicine services that is ever-present. With such a prominent segment of the market needing telemedicine, companies will continue to invest in it to keep it as a viable option.
On top of that, many people who are otherwise able to take advantage of normal medical services prefer telemedicine services. It allows patients to avoid many of the problems inherent in medical care. Taking time to travel to and from medical facilities, being exposed to other sick patients in waiting rooms, and long wait times can all be avoided through telehealth services. Healthcare providers prefer telemedicine for many of these same reasons, making it even more unlikely that telemedicine services will be discontinued.
Insurance Coverage
Because it is still relatively new, telemedicine services are largely not covered by insurance plans except under special circumstances. However, there are some insurance companies that have adopted telemedicine quickly and integrated it into their plans. You may find these plans through employers where group rates are more favorable for telemedicine services.
One of the biggest reasons why insurance companies are likely to widespread adopt telemedicine is that it is more cost-effective for companies than traditional in-office services. The overhead costs of having an office and office resources are greatly reduced by using telemedicine services instead of traditional office services. These savings translate into lower costs for insurance companies. The affordability of telemedicine services will continue to push its widespread adoption.
Improvements in Data Security
To facilitate the widespread use of telemedicine services, the technology industry will have to continue to make advancements in data security. Data security is a problem that has always been an issue for technology, but telemedicine must comply with the records management requirements of the healthcare industry. Otherwise, it may face legal challenges upon implementation.
Companies that invest in telemedicine will also have to invest in ways to improve their security systems. This is especially important when a cloud-based infrastructure is being used. Cloud systems are notoriously vulnerable to data breaches because of their exposure over the open internet. Companies face serious legal risks if they cannot provide a reasonable expectation of data security to comply with privacy requirements.
New Services Being Added
Telemedicine is poised to expand by increasing the types of services that are being offered. Currently, the majority of services focus on mental health and services that don’t require lab work. That will change over time by allowing services that need a deeper level of interaction onto platforms. One example of how this could work is through off-site lab services. As doctors establish their telemedicine services, they will be able to partner with lab services as well. That way, you can see the doctor and go get lab work done if you need it. This would remove a major limit on the effectiveness of the treatments that you could receive through telemedicine.
Another example of how this can work is lab tests through telemedicine services. Cardiology is poised to enter the telemedicine field once testing devices become more available. A cardiologist can send a patient the testing device, then have a telemedicine appointment where he or she walks the patient through the process of using the testing device. The patient still gets the care that he or she needs while benefiting from avoiding going to a care facility. The need for such devices should push innovation and development within the medical technology industry as well.
More Companies Entering the Telemedicine Field
Because of the potential advantages of adopting telemedicine, more companies are expected to enter the telemedicine field. This will create new jobs in the industry, as well as lead to widespread investment in technology and healthcare services. Your company can get in on the telemedicine field early by developing apps for telemedicine services. Some major companies are doing this for their internal healthcare policies while other companies are making services available for people in the community.
Whichever path you choose, it is possible to start a telemedicine service by partnering with an app and software development agency like KitelyTech. We are dedicated to helping companies develop telemedicine services and new technologies. Our app development team is immersed in the telemedicine field and can help you build a system that meets your needs. Call us at (800) 274 2908 to discuss your telemedicine project.
