In recent years, virtual care programs have changed the way patients access medical care, ultimately becoming a key part of our healthcare journey. While virtual care has been around for a number of years, COVID-19 certainly accelerated the adoption–in fact, a study from the NIH reported a 766% increase in just the first three months. Now, four years later, despite a return to pre-pandemic norms, a notable preference for virtual visits continues among patients. This shift suggests a lasting transformation in healthcare delivery, where convenience and accessibility continue to drive patient preference for virtual interactions over traditional in-person visits. However, there are challenges to take into consideration.
Telehealth and Me
My own relationship with virtual care has evolved over the years. While 76% of hospitals were already using telehealth as of 2018, my first experience was in early 2019. I remember having difficulty logging into the platform and needing to delay the appointment because of it. This process was unfamiliar and I simply didn’t have an understanding of how to engage with my provider online. However, five years and one pandemic later, I have become more of an intermediate user of virtual care services. Though I do prefer in-person care in most scenarios, I appreciate the flexibility virtual care provides.
Key Advantages of Virtual Care
Though there are many benefits to virtual care platforms, recent conversations with friends and colleagues have summarized them as:
- Convenience: Forget long commutes and waiting rooms. The greatest benefit is arguably the convenience virtual care offers. You can take your appointment with you wherever you are–even if it’s a follow-up during a vacation.
- Flexibility: Similarly to convenience, the flexibility of virtual care allows patients to schedule appointments during lunch breaks, between meetings, or even in the evenings, providing a level of flexibility that traditional in-person visits often lack.
- Efficiency: In some cases, emergency room wait times can be overwhelming. If it’s an easier diagnoses, such as strep throat or a rash, a virtual care provider can quickly diagnose and prescribe the necessary medication in a matter of minutes.
Benefits and Challenges for Rural Patients
Patients who live in rural areas, may rely solely on virtual care for the bulk of their appointments. The nearest hospital or clinic could be hours away, making it impractical for regular visits. While this is certainly a great advantage, digital equity must be considered, as it can impact the overall patient experience and quality of care. Without internet (or a computer/smart phone for that matter), patients would have no way to access their provider in a virtual format.
Stress and Privacy Concerns
An article in Medical Economics suggests that nearly half of Americans experience feelings of anxiety related to doctor’s appointments. This applies to both the physical nature of the appointment, as well as the mental preparation.
With virtual care, the ability to see a provider from the comfort of your own home offers the opportunity to alleviate some of that stress. This also applies to patients who have other health challenges and need to stay home. However, the concept of privacy must be taken into consideration. For those who live at home with parents, friends, a partner, etc., having a virtual care appointment on a sensitive topic (such as teletherapy or discussing private test results) becomes more challenging—especially when there is not an alternative space to take the appointment.
While virtual care has its advantages, it’s important to acknowledge that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. And while the benefits certainly outweigh the challenges, the key is to find a balance that embraces the strengths of virtual care while addressing its limitations.
