Telemedicine apps are becoming a big deal for the healthcare industry and for individual patients that need a new way of accessing healthcare. They offer benefits that were previously unthinkable in medicine, and they will drastically change how the healthcare industry operates. This process is already underway with major political, industry, and technology changes happening today. If you are trying to understand why so many people are interested in telemedicine development, here is why telemedicine apps are a big deal.
A Paradigm Shift
Telemedicine apps represent a paradigm shift in healthcare. Everyone is aware of the current model of healthcare:
- Take time off of work, don’t get paid
- Go to a doctor’s office, risk exposure to other illnesses
- Wait for the care provider, they are usually running behind schedule
- Complete the exam, get a diagnosis
- Visit the pharmacy, wait for your prescription to be ready
This model has been used for decades and has most people frustrated, including the care providers. What if you could change some of these steps to make them easier, more enjoyable, less risky, or eliminate them? That is what telemedicine apps do. It makes a fundamentally different process for healthcare possible and has better results for everyone involved.
How Telemedicine Apps Work
Telemedicine apps make it possible to access basic healthcare from anywhere. Because of this, the new process of accessing healthcare looks like this:
- Work at home that day, get paid for at least part of the day
- Open the telemedicine app on your phone and sign-in for your appointment
- Wait for the provider while getting work done or spending time with your family
- Complete the exam and get a diagnosis
- Order from the pharmacy online and pick it up when you go out again.
There is less unproductive waiting, less exposure to other illnesses, and some apps don’t have a waiting time to see a care provider. It is a much more efficient and effective way of getting the care that you need without the hassle that going to a care provider takes.
The Political Changes
Regulations regarding insurance plans are usually driven by the market and by government regulations. Politicians are taking notice of telemedicine apps, and their ability to make healthcare more accessible for people.
In most cases, a telemedicine app can replace standard healthcare procedures, which are limited for people that cannot travel, are homebound, or are not located near healthcare providers. Seniors, in particular, are at risk of not being able to access appropriate healthcare.
Politicians are pushing insurance companies to embrace telemedicine and offer benefits tailored to people who would rely on telemedicine apps. Many insurance companies are making changes on their own to include telemedicine services in future plans, which will drive up support and demand for telemedicine services in many areas.
The Financial Changes
Telemedicine is more cost-effective for everyone. A large part of the costs that doctors have is due to the overhead of running an office. Offices have to be large, have waiting rooms, and support multiple staff members.
By switching to a telemedicine model, doctors can reduce their overhead and reduce the costs for patients. The office can be smaller since it does not need a waiting room or clinical rooms, which should cut up to 1,000 square-feet off of the size. That makes it easier for doctors to find lower-cost spaces, and pass that savings along to patients.
Build a Telemedicine App for Your Business
Telemedicine is very likely to see a boom in the next few years. Telemedicine development takes time, so you should start the process as soon as possible. KitelyTech has the resources and experience to help you develop a telemedicine app. Call KitelyTech at (800) 274 2908 to start developing your telemedicine app.
