The evolution of telemedicine has drastically changed the way people receive medical care. Nowadays, you can get check-ups, receive prescriptions, and book laboratory services with nothing more than a mobile device.
There has also been a growing adoption of these means of healthcare. In fact, 55% of people believe they receive better healthcare through teleconsultations. What features and capabilities make people love telehealth? Let’s look at some of this article’s most common and impactful ones.
1) Easy Patient Registration
Easy patient registration is a cornerstone feature of telehealth software, without a doubt. It streamlines new patient enrollment by allowing you to register your details online. This function typically involves a user-friendly interface for patients to input their personal, contact, and health information securely. This feature is crucial for:
- Enhancing patient experience;
- Reducing administrative burdens on healthcare providers; and
- Ensuring accurate data collection for effective treatment.
Online registration portals help minimize the time and complexity of registration. They’re generally accessible to people of all ages and tech proficiency levels. Some key components of an intuitive patient registration portal include uploading insurance details, medical history, and identification documents.
2) Patient’s Dashboard
Most telehealth software has a patient’s dashboard for anyone to access as needed. These dashboards become a personal health hub. It provides patients with immediate, organized access to their health information and telehealth and telemedicine services.
Some data that a patient dashboard can show you include the following:
- Upcoming appointments;
- Medical history;
- Test results;
- Prescriptions; and
- Doctor’s notes.
In some cases, a dashboard can also feature health trackers, medication reminders, and educational resources tailored to the patient’s conditions. This feature empowers patients to manage their health more effectively by providing a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate overview of their healthcare data and services. Better dashboards increase patient engagement and foster a more collaborative approach to healthcare.
3) Doctors Catalogue
Are you having a hard time finding the right physician for you? Some telehealth services give you access to a Doctors Catalogue feature, which is a healthcare provider directory. It allows patients to browse, select, and connect with doctors based on various criteria such as specialty, experience, ratings, and availability.
In most cases, doctor catalogs provide detailed profiles for each doctor, including their qualifications, areas of expertise, and patient reviews. These directories can even include professionals with careers in addiction recovery, counseling, or other mental health needs.
4) Appointment Management
If you’ve ever waited hours for a doctor’s appointment, you’ll know how important this feature can be. Appointment management is critical because it streamlines healthcare services and saves the patients’ and physicians’ time. It allows patients to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments with ease.
This feature usually includes a calendar view for patients to view available time slots and schedule appointments conveniently. It helps healthcare providers organize their schedules, reduce no-shows, and optimize their time management. Automated reminders for upcoming appointments can also be part of this feature, reducing missed appointments. Effective appointment management improves the efficiency of healthcare delivery and enhances patient satisfaction.
5) Video, Audio, and Text Communication
This feature enables real-time communication between patients and healthcare providers through video, audio, or text. Video consultations closely replicate in-person visits, allowing visual assessments and more personal interaction. Audio consultations are beneficial when you don’t need video or if it’s not feasible for connectivity reasons and such.
Text consultations offer asynchronous communication, which can be ideal for follow-ups or non-urgent queries. This flexibility ensures that healthcare is accessible and convenient, catering to various patient needs and preferences. It also allows for a broader reach, enabling care for patients in remote or underserved areas.
6) E-prescription
E-prescription allows healthcare providers to send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies, eliminating the need for paper prescriptions. Access to this capability enhances prescription accuracy, reduces medication errors, and streamlines the prescription process. It allows for better tracking of medication history and integrates with pharmacy databases to check drug interactions and insurance coverage.
E-prescriptions are more convenient for patients, as they can directly go to the pharmacy without needing a physical prescription. This feature also facilitates remote prescribing, which is crucial in telehealth, ensuring patients receive their medications promptly even when they cannot physically visit a healthcare provider.
7) Payment Gateway
One of the benefits of telemedicine for patients is that it makes payments easier, too. Telehealth software with a payment gateway lets you make secure and efficient financial transactions. It allows patients to pay for healthcare services online using various payment methods like credit/debit cards, online banking, or digital wallets.
This feature often includes cost transparency, billing details, and the option for insurance verification. It’s crucial for simplifying the payment process, making it more convenient and less time-consuming for patients. For healthcare providers, it ensures timely and organized financial management.
Telehealth vs Telemedicine
Are there differences between telehealth and medicine? While most will use these terms interchangeably, telehealth is expanding as we know it. Telemedicine, which involves online consultations and care, is only one aspect.
In the coming years, we’ll see telehealth expand even more. As it does, more people will receive the medical care they need at a fraction of the cost and with lesser hassle and issues. It’s an exciting time for patients and care providers alike. And we can look to a better future regarding our health and wellness.
