Medical technology in 2023 concept - Healthcare professional accessing digital healthcare data.

Medical Technology in 2023: What to Expect in Terms of Health Care

Posted on by
Medical technology in 2023 concept - Healthcare professional accessing digital healthcare data.

Medical technology has come a long way since the early days of healthcare. From improved diagnostics and treatments to new ways of managing chronic conditions, medical technology is transforming healthcare delivery and patients’ lives worldwide. In 2023, we expect to see even more significant impacts on patient care due to medical technology advancements. Let’s look at what to expect from medical technology in 2023 and how it will impact patient care.

The Latest Advances in Medical Technology

Medical technology is rapidly advancing in the 21st century, and 2023 is no different. One of the most exciting advances in medical technology is the development of artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnostics and medical imaging. AI can help analyze medical images to detect abnormalities in the human body. This, in turn, will help healthcare professionals diagnose diseases more quickly and accurately. 

Additionally, genomics and gene editing advances enable researchers to develop treatments tailored to the individual’s genetic makeup. Finally, personalized medicine and precision health make it possible to tailor treatments to each patient’s specific needs, improving care and outcomes. These developments are revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered and will continue to improve patient care, wellness, and the healthcare industry in 2023 and beyond.

unrecognizable african american scientist studying anatomy with tablet

The Impact of These Advances on Patient Care

Medical technology has come a long way in the last few years. We expect to see even more advancements in 2023, which will significantly impact patient care. Some of these advances will include improved diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, more effective treatments, and improved monitoring capabilities that allow healthcare providers to track a patient’s health from afar.

These advances will provide better treatment and care for patients. They will also lead to improved overall wellness. Patients will benefit from better diagnoses, treatments, and closer monitoring to ensure they get the best possible care.

woman practicing yoga

The Impact of These Advances on Wellness

In 2023, medical technology’s advances will significantly impact wellness. For example, with the development of new technologies such as AI and 3D printing, patients are increasingly able to access personalized treatments that help them manage their condition more effectively. This has helped to improve outcomes and increase levels of well-being. Furthermore, these technologies have made it easier for health professionals to identify areas of concern and intervene quickly and effectively to prevent further problems. All in all, the advances in medical technology will be incredibly beneficial for individual wellness.

people men technology room

The Impact of These Advances on the Healthcare Industry

The advances in medical technology are poised to impact the healthcare industry as a whole significantly. These advancements will reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and provide more efficient healthcare services. This will ultimately result in better access to care for patients, improved patient satisfaction, and excellent financial stability for healthcare providers. Furthermore, these advances will positively impact society’s overall wellness by providing better treatments, diagnostic tools, and preventive care. These elements will unite to create a healthier, more prosperous society.

Key Takeaways

Advances in medical technology in 2023 are bringing changes to the healthcare industry that are positively affecting patient care, wellness, and the entire healthcare industry. Patients can expect improved diagnoses, better treatments, and more preventive care. Wellness is being promoted through increased access to health services, personalized care plans, and innovative technologies.

For the healthcare industry, advances in medical technology will lead to higher quality care and improved efficiency. Follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog for the most up-to-date information on healthcare. Enroll in a course offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy to learn more about a variety of healthcare subjects. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations to purchase scented candles and soaps with a healthcare theme.

Man driving with a mobile phone beside him showing a digital map - using Uber Health application for patient transportation.

Welcome to Uber Health: How Uber is Being Used in Healthcare Transportation

Posted on by
Man driving with a mobile phone beside him showing a digital map - using Uber Health application for patient transportation.

Access to transportation is a prerequisite for access to universal healthcare. A recent study in the United States shows that approximately 3.6 million Americans miss or delay attending their medical appointments. Most of the patients who miss out on their consultations are from the lower cadre of society. Some, like the elderly, are vulnerable and can barely afford the taxi system, which is often expensive. In 2018, Uber launched a program known as Uber Health in partnership with other hospitals and healthcare systems like Maryland-based MedStar Health.

Since then, several hospitals and health systems have adopted this program to help transport their patients. Lyft has also launched a similar program to help transport patients.

person driving car

How Does Uber Health Work?

This program offers a wide range of services for you as a patient or a healthcare provider. However, it specializes in transporting patients from their homes to the healthcare facilities for medical appointments, including medical evacuation.

So how does this work? If you are a patient and have an appointment with your doctor, Uber Health is instrumental. You don’t have to worry if you do not have a smartphone since your healthcare provider will be responsible for booking the ride. And if you don’t have a mobile phone, there is an option for landline rides. Uber will send your ride information via an automatic message on your landline. You will not be booked for transportation as a patient, but, rather, your medical provider will pay for the ride. In some instances, insurance defrays the bill.

person holding smartphone

How to Book Rides for Patients

As a healthcare provider, it’s important to note that you can book rides for your patients a few hours until the appointment or days in advance. There are two types of rides that you can make for your patients: scheduled rides and designated pickups. In the case of planned rides, they are flexible, and you can set them up immediately or for up to 30 days, allowing patients to confirm when they are ready. On the other hand, facilities with big campuses are advised to use designated pickup locations set within the platform. After booking, both your patient and the driver will receive a detailed brief sent to them regarding the pickup location.

Why it is Important to Understand Uber Health

Understanding how to use Uber Health is essential to both patients and the healthcare providers in the following ways:

  1. Uber Health is accessible to patients who do not have a smartphone. Your healthcare provider is responsible for booking your ride to and from the hospital, and a text message bearing the details of the ride is sent to your phone.
  2. Uber Health helps healthcare organizations keep track of spending. This is because the billing statements are readily available and easy to interpret. This reduces the likelihood of losing money, even thousands of dollars.

Final Thoughts

The Uber Health program will revolutionize the transportation of patients unprecedentedly, leading to a reduction in the cases of missed appointments that is costing healthcare providers billions of dollars annually.

For more healthcare information, check out Avidity Medical Design Blog or enroll for a course at Avidity Medical Design Academy. To purchase scented soaps and candles, visit Avidity Medical Scentations.

sexual health concept; african-american couple ignoring each other in bed

The Role of Sex in Healthcare: 10 Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Intimacy

Posted on by
sexual health concept; african-american couple ignoring each other in bed

It’s easy to overlook your sexual health when dealing with a chronic illness, especially if you deal with acute symptoms that are more pressing. However,  intimacy is important to many people.  Discovering that you struggle to connect with your partner or get as much enjoyment out of sex as you once did can take a toll on your mental health. That’s why it’s important to be aware of chronic conditions that can impact your sex life and speak frankly to your doctor and partner about it.

10 Conditions That Can Impact Your Sexual Health 

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease, attacks, and failure can contribute to sexual health concerns because your heart doesn’t work optimally. You probably know that proper blood flow is necessary for a strong erection. However, blood is also the source of vaginal lubrication. The result? Low desire, performance problems, painful sex, and difficulty having an orgasm, all of which can lead to anxiety about sex.

2. High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you may suffer from sexual health issues in two ways. First, high blood pressure causes arteries to harden over time, decreasing blood flow. Diuretics and beta-blockers commonly prescribed to those with high blood pressure can also impede blood flow and sexual performance.

3. Diabetes

When it comes to diabetes, imbalanced blood sugar is just the tip of the iceberg. The condition can decrease desire and vaginal lubrication in women. Women with diabetes are also more susceptible to yeast and urinary tract infections which make sex painful.

Diabetes also poses potential ramifications for men because it lowers testosterone, a hormone that plays a role in sex drive. Furthermore, diabetes degrades blood vessels, making it more difficult to get hard. 

4. Arthritis

Because arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in at least one joint, it can make sex more painful and less pleasurable. This is especially true of positions and activities that are physically demanding. However, you may be able to adjust your activities to decrease pain so you can still enjoy sex. 

5. Depression

Not only does depression decrease interest in our favorite activities, including sex, but the medications used to treat it are notorious for impeding libido, erections, and orgasms. If you experience depression, treating it might alleviate your sexual health concerns However, if you find that your prescription impacts your sex life, discuss options with your doctor.

6. Allergies

You may not want to slip between the sheets when your eyes are itchy and your nose is running. But medications that provide relief may create sexual problems. This is particularly true of antihistamines because they dry out more than just your sinuses. The resulting painful sex can seriously dampen libido. Fortunately, you might still be able to have pleasurable sex by using a personal lubricant.

7. Cancer

Both cancer and chemotherapy can wreak havoc on your body. You may feel tired and weak, not to mention less than attractive, because of their harsh effects.  Low desire, erection problems, and vaginal dryness are all common with chemotherapy. Surgical interventions can also cause pain and scarring that can interfere with your love life.

8. Asthma

Unsurprisingly, sex can sometimes trigger an asthma attack that requires you to use an inhaler.  Of course, it’s not a big deal if you let your partner know that this might happen. Suggest positions that allow for easy breathing, and keep your inhaler within reach. People who manage their asthma well are less likely to have sexual health problems. 

9. HIV/AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus, which can sometimes develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is inextricable from sex, which transmits it and suffers because of it. Some people may become abstinent because they don’t want to infect others or wish to avoid the stigma of HIV.  Rates of depression and anxiety, both of which impact sex drive and satisfaction, are higher for those with HIV than those without. Fortunately, there are ways to effectively treat HIV to prevent AIDS, improve patients’ quality of life, and prevent transmission to restore sexual satisfaction.

10.  COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one respiratory illness that can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and decreased stamina, making sex undesirable, difficult, or painful. Sexual activity can also can shortness of breath that potentially leads to low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia). Some people have experienced relief by using their inhalers before become intimate with their partners.

Talk About Sexual Health

If you have one of the conditions listed above, don’t be ashamed to talk about your sexual health with your doctor. They can recommend treatments or medications that can improve not just your time in bed but also your overall quality of life. 

For more healthcare information, check out the Avidity Medical Design Blog or sign up for a course by the Avidity Medical Design Academy. For soaps and candles that support relaxation, peace of mind, and intimacy, visit Avidity Medical Scentations and sign up for product notifications to learn when the soaps and candles will be available.

male healthcare worker hunched over his desk working

“Oh, My Aching Back!”: The Role of Ergonomics in Healthcare

Posted on by
crop unrecognizable woman showing chiropractor painful spot on back

If you are working in the healthcare field, or in any field that involves sitting at your desk all day, or moving around the work site all day long, understanding the role of ergonomics is crucial to maintaining your physical health at work. Ergonomics is the study of how people work in different environments, and safely coordinating the work that needs to be done among different individuals in different work environments, so that the work matches the worker, and the task matches each worker’s physical capability. Ergonomics in healthcare involves creating a healthy and efficient workplace to benefit healthcare professionals, patients, and other employees who work in clinics, doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other medical settings.

Ergonomics is important for nurses, for example, because nurses must safely lift patients from hospital beds without injurying themselves or the patients when they are lifted from their hospital bed. For patients who have been bedridden for a long period of time, nurses must carefully and safely turn them over to prevent them from getting bed sores, and avoid injurying the muscles in their back, arms or legs, as well as avoiding injury to the bedridden patient. Ergonomics also focuses on healthcare workers who spend the bulk of their days working at a desk. In today’s medical world, this includes almost everyone. 

If you work at your desk all day, ergonomic strategies help reduce back aches and pains caused by sitting for prolonged periods of time. This also improves productivity and patient outcomes in the healthcare setting. Advancements in ergonomic science strengthen the quality of healthcare work environments and the entire healthcare system. 

Advancements in Ergonomics in Healthcare

As ergonomics is a science, it is constantly changing in an effort to improve the healthcare work environment. Current advancements include workplace design, such as designing nursing stations to maximize performance by minimizing ergonomic limitations (bending, reaching, lifting outside the body’s capacity for safety). 

Ergonomics involve constantly researching different workplace environments. Advancements in healthcare ergonomics include a focus on the physical, cognitive, and organizational requirements of healthcare professionals, as well as work responsibilities in the healthcare environment. Healthcare decisionmakers, as well as other decisionmakers outside of the healthcare arena, are more willing to invest in different areas of healthcare when they see the work efficiency and work productivity resulting from employees working safely.  

The Effects of Ergonomics in Healthcare

Ergonomics means improving your ability to work and easing the physical strain on your body, especially when you work at your desk all day. Reduced physical strain means fewer injuries in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational injuries may include pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, and activities that may cause you to overexert your muscles. Ergonomics teach employees about proper posture to avoid or lessen repetitive motion injuries caused by repetitive movements such as typing all day. Injuries can also be reduced by proper seat and desk positioning to avoid stress on the neck and back.

Working ergonomically means you miss fewer days from work due to physical injuries on the job, fewer errors, less stress, increased work satisfaction, increased work productivity, and better patient outcomes in the healthcare setting.

What Ergonomics in Healthcare Means to You

Ergonomics benefits everyone, both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals alike, and regardless of environment. Whether you are an office worker, a healthcare professional, a student, or a patient resting comfortably in a hospital bed, or sitting in a chair in the reception area waiting to see your doctor, understanding the importance of ergonomics can help you prevent short-term and long-term health problems. It is important to remember that ergonomics is not only confined to maintaining good physical health in the workplace. Ergonomics are used to measure workplace objectives, employee productivity, possible health risks, missed days from work due to musculoskeletal injuries, and environmental safety. 

For more in-depth insights into the healthcare industry, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. Enroll in a healthcare course offered through Avidity Medical Design Academy. Purchase healthy candles and soaps with inspirational messages to remind you to stay healthy. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations and sign up to receive notifications on product availability.

man in a face mask handing over a thermal bag to another man

Looking for a New Job? Here are Five New Careers Created By COVID-19

Posted on by

Whenever you think about the Coronavirus, maybe what comes into mind is how it rendered many people jobless. Probably, you associate the virus with the closures of stores, restaurants, theaters, and many other businesses. Do you think the pandemic may have opened up new career opportunities?

Yes, it is true that COVID-19 created a significant health and economic mess. But, it created some new jobs, too. How was that even possible? In a recent report by Forbes, Coronavirus has created thousands of new jobs.

Let me take you through five careers that were created due to the pandemic:

hand-holding-forehead-thermometer-to-womans-head-woman-wearing-beige-hijab-and-orange-face-mask

1. Temperature Screeners

As you know, high fever is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Hence, temperature screening has become the new norm almost everywhere.

If you visit restaurants, schools, organizations, airports, and stadiums, be ready to encounter a person with a thermal gun ready to take your temperature. It is a simple job that does not require much education or prior experience. However, it is quite tedious and tiresome.

As recently reported by CNBC, temperature screeners’ hourly pay is up to $25. So, you may not want to leave your current career for it, but it’s a good starting point if you are jobless.

person getting his blood check

2. COVID-19 Testers

This is among the most common career opportunities that have been created by the pandemic. You will find the virus testers conducting swab tests in nursing homes, hospitals, workplaces, and even on the streets.

Basically, you cannot conduct the tests if you are not a trained health professional, probably a nurse or a nurse assistant. This opportunity is a golden opportunity for you if you recently left school and wish to gain some experience.

As a full-time COVID-19 tester, you can make up to $45 per hour. This is a good amount, particularly if you are jobless. However, be ready to work for long hours. Also, you have to bear with handling people’s mouths and noses when collecting the swabs.

hands people friends communication

3. Caregivers

As you are aware, people who have contracted the virus, especially the elderly or those with underlying conditions, need special care. If you are a trained nurse or social worker, this can be a perfect career opportunity for you.

As a caregiver, you would be working in hospitals or nursing homes. In the United States, there has been a surging demand for these professionals. The job is flexible, though its pay is quite little.

As reported by CNBC, most caregivers make up to $25 per hour. This is quite little compared to the nature of the job. However, it can be a good venture if you have the relevant training and skills, and you are jobless.

woman in white face mask

4. Face Mask Makers

It is one of the most booming businesses globally. As noted by the Society for Human Resource Management, most employed persons have even quit their current jobs to venture into this new career.

You don’t need a lot of experience to do it. If you are not a good tailor, you can start your face-making company, equip it with the relevant machines, and hire professionals in the field.

As companies are now buying a logo-branded business, having the right equipment to do the job might give you an added advantage. As an employed face-maker, you can make up to $18 per hour. The job is simple and flexible. However, you may be needed to make many masks per day to make a substantial amount of cash.

delivery man wearing a face mask and riding a bicycle

5. Door-to-Door Deliveries

As governments introduce stricter containment measures, such as stay at home orders, movement restrictions, and lockdowns, door-to-door deliveries are rapidly becoming popular. People are skeptical of physical shopping due to fear of contracting the virus, and delivery services have become viable delivery alternatives for no-contact delivery.

This is a simple business that’s easy to do, as long as you have starting capital and a delivery truck, motorcycle, or bicycle. You can establish an online store where customers can make orders.

No training is needed to start this business. However, you need to be experienced in eCommerce. You also need to have good interpersonal skills. On a good day, a delivery agent can make up to $200 profit.

However, the job is tiresome and may take time to establish a reputable online store. Nonetheless, it can be an excellent career opportunity for those who cherish freedom. You can also choose to sign up with an established delivery service, such as such as DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats, pick up food orders from restaurants in your area, deliver the orders to customers, make your own hours, and keep your own tips. This is a great way to supplement your income, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

coronavirus news on screen

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, frontline soldiers, especially healthcare professionals, have been hit harder. In due time, the virus will be contained, and life will go back to normal. In the meantime, if you are interested in pursuing a new career in healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy and enroll in the course entitled,  How to Learn Professionalism in Healthcare (With REAL-WORLD Examples). Follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog to stay up to date on the latest news in healthcare.

The Role of Healthcare in the Presidential Election (and What It Means to You)

Posted on by
close-up-of-doctor-wearing-white-coat-and-stethoscope-placing-i-voted-sticker-on-chest

The upcoming election is filled with questions and concerns about the pandemic. Many people criticize the Trump administration’s response and look to Biden to provide a better alternative. However, COVID-19 is not the only issue concerning Americans. The role of healthcare in the presidential election has made voters concerned about topics like insurance coverage, prescription costs, reproductive health services, pre-existing conditions, and political influence. Let’s examine each of these topics in detail, and how each healthcare topic plays a role in the upcoming presidential election.

Insurance Coverage

A continued Trump administration will likely put an end to Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act. According to one study, this would result in 21 million people losing their insurance coverage over the next year. In contrast, Biden would expand eligibility and establish a public option for federal health insurance. Trump has promised to replace the AHA with a better healthcare plan but has yet to deliver. 

Prescription Costs

Another hot button issue for many Americans is the extremely high cost of prescription medication in the United States. President Trump has signed an executive order to reduce drug costs, but it is unclear how effective this has been. He has often cited the cost of insulin as proof that his actions are working. Fact-checkers dispute this and say the cost is relatively the same. Both candidates openly support lowering drug costs, but voters want to see results. 

Reproductive Health Services

Access to birth control and abortion rights are always contentious issues stemming from religious and personal convictions. This election cycle is no different, and reproductive health remains an important issue for healthcare in the presidential election. A Trump administration could see pro-life decision-making and lessened access to birth control. Democrats have traditionally been the more pro-choice party and supported employer-provided contraceptive coverage. 

Pre-existing Conditions

On the debate stage, pre-existing conditions have played a role in garnering votes for Biden because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, which provides coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Trump claims he will not deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, but again, he has delivered no plan. 

Political Influence

Lastly, Americans are tired of healthcare based on politics rather than science. Some don’t trust that a COVID-19 vaccine will be safe because it was pushed through by the President. Others are unclear about the benefits of wearing masks because of contradicting information from political leaders and medical professionals. It’s a mess, and President Trump has communicated poorly. Of course, it is unclear how Biden would handle his political influence in the healthcare world, but he has said he would, “Listen to the scientists.”

If the topics above don’t concern you, you can rest assured that healthcare in the presidential election is still a powerful issue for all Americans. The next elected U.S. President will affect your healthcare in some manner. It may be in the services that are covered by your insurance, or it may be in the money you pay for your policy.  There are many subjects to consider when voting this year, and healthcare is certainly a worthy one.   

For more informative healthcare topics, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. To take a healthcare course, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy.

How COVID-19 Has Changed the Field of Healthcare and What It Means to You

Posted on by
two-doctors-wearing-white-coats-and-face-masks-standing-in-outdoor-corridor-looking-at-tablet
There are a lot of lessons to be learned from what went wrong and what went right in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 has affected every industry in the entire world. As a global pandemic, the effects of the virus have been far-reaching. Perhaps no industry has been impacted as much as the healthcare industry.

Let’s take a look at how the healthcare industry has been affected by COVID-19, and what changes the industry will make for the future.

COVID-19 Has Changed the Career Outlook for Healthcare Practitioners

While a career in any medical profession has always been stable, lucrative, and in very high demand, the coronavirus has increased the demand for skilled healthcare workers, and made it clear that healthcare workers are truly essential workers who are on the front line in hospitals. If you are on the fence about starting a career in medicine – whether as a doctor, nurse, or something else, jump in and go for it. The need for healthcare workers will always be there, and the coronavirus has proven that the need will only increase, especially in times of healthcare crisis and healthcare emergencies. Even if you are not directly on the front lines in healthcare, your skills are still in demand, as the coronavirus has created a shortage of skilled healthcare workers to replace those who are working directly with patients, if they become infected with the coronavirus.

COVID-19 Has Placed the Focus on ICU Bed Utilization

Hospital crisis teams were developed in order to get the most out of ICU beds. With COVID-19, traditional emergency rooms are being used and reorganized in non-traditional ways. Outpatient surgery centers have now become emergency rooms, and other areas of hospitals have been restructured in order to deal with the challenges of treating patients with COVID-19. If you are new to the field of healthcare, or you are considering a career in healthcare, you can read new case studies pertaining to how COVID-19 has reshaped the healthcare landscape. These new case studies will be used as an educational tool for decades to come. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from what went wrong when treating patients diagnosed with the coronavirus, and what went right in terms of how ICU beds, ICU ventilators, and other supplies were used in the ICU in the early months of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Has Led to a Reevaluation of Medical Treatment Strategies

Medical treatment strategies was an area that was in flux for a while during the early days of the virus. Since COVID-19 was a new virus, healthcare practitioners had to learn the best way to treat patients. There was a lot of trial and error as healthcare practitioners adapted to the challenges of treating patients diagnosed with coronavirus. There is no doubt that the treatment strategies for COVID-19 will be put into medical textbooks and studied for decades to come, leading to better preparedness in the unfortunate event that another pandemic occurs which may be similar to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Has Led to an Emphasis on Preventative Measures

The vaccine to prevent COVID-19 has not yet been developed. Drug companies are furiously working to create this vaccine, which could go a long way to returning the world to a “new normal.” More than ever before, the pharmaceutical industry is taking off. Money is being poured into these companies for work towards the vaccine. 

For more information, take a look at the Avidity Medical Design Blog. You also might want to consider enrolling in a course offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy.

What You Should Know About Telehealth in the Era of COVID-19

Posted on by
person-holding-smartphone-during-telehealth-appointment-with-doctor-on-video

There have been dramatic changes to the medical landscape since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. One of the most significant changes that practitioners have experienced is an increase in flexibility in administering telehealth patient services.

What is Telehealth?

The World Health Organization (WHO) applies telehealth and telemedicine synonymously to describe the use of information and communications technology to overcome geographical barriers to patient care to improve health outcomes. This definition accounts for both clinical and non-clinical functions.

In telehealth appointments, you connect remotely with a provider to seek diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of your health concerns. Telehealth is best applied in situations where you’re seeking follow-up monitoring on a pre-existing condition, or your symptoms aren’t emergent. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Telehealth

Like anything, using telehealth for patient care comes with pros and cons. 

Advantages of using telehealth include things like:

  • Increased health care accessibility.
  • Ability for greater collaboration among healthcare teams.
  • Decreased risk for exposure to unrelated illnesses like COVID-19.

Disadvantages consist of factors such as:

  • No physical exams performed.
  • Risks for delayed care.
  • Connectivity issues for patient or provider.

How to Schedule a Telehealth Appointment with Your Doctor

Telehealth appointments are generally booked by submitting a request through your provider’s patient portal or calling a medical office directly. Often, you’ll be required to complete some form of screening assessment related to your symptoms to determine whether a telehealth appointment will provide you with the necessary level of care needed for the condition in question. 

What Patients and Providers Say About Telehealth

Although it may seem like telehealth would make medicine feel less personal, a study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that 62% of patients surveyed reported that telehealth visits were as positive as in-person visits, and 21% said they were better than traditional appointments. Clinicians also reported higher efficiency, and more than half agreed that appointments were comparable to those conducted in-person.

Temporary measures were put in place to extend telehealth access to more people during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, but many medical leaders are pushing for long-term changes. As the healthcare environment continues to adapt, the need for trained medical professionals — both clinical and non-clinical — will only increase. 

Sign up for one of our online courses, offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy, to find out how you can make money in healthcare from home, or contact us today to learn more about how our programs can prepare you to serve in this changing industry. Follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog to stay up to date on the latest trends in healthcare.