Telehealth, or virtual care, is the use of telecommunications technology to deliver healthcare services remotely. This can include video conferencing, phone calls, and secure messaging. Telehealth has been around for decades, but it has seen a dramatic increase in popularity in recent years.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rise of telehealth. One factor is the increasing availability of high-speed internet. Another factor is the growing popularity of smartphones and other mobile devices. These factors have made it easier for people to access telehealth services from anywhere.

Telehealth has a number of benefits for both patients and providers. For patients, telehealth can provide access to healthcare services that they would not otherwise be able to get. For example, telehealth can make it possible for people who live in rural areas to see a doctor without having to travel long distances. Telehealth can also be convenient for people who have busy schedules or who are unable to leave their homes due to illness or disability.

For providers, telehealth can save time and money. Providers can see more patients in a day by using telehealth, and they can also avoid the cost of travel and office space. Telehealth can also help providers to improve their communication with patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth. As people have been forced to stay home, telehealth has become a more viable option for receiving healthcare services. The pandemic has also shown that telehealth can be effective for a wide range of healthcare needs, from routine check-ups to chronic disease management.

As telehealth continues to grow in popularity, it is likely to have a significant impact on the way we receive healthcare. Telehealth can make healthcare more accessible, convenient, and affordable for everyone. It can also help to improve the quality of care by providing patients with more opportunities to interact with their providers.

References:

Telehealth: Current Impact on the Future: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7502422/
How Virtual Care Benefits Both Patients and Health Care Providers: https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/how-virtual-care-benefits-both-patients-and-health-care-providers
Telehealth in the Pandemic—How Has It Changed Health Care Delivery in Medicaid and Medicare?: https://www.gao.gov/blog/telehealth-pandemic-how-has-it-changed-health-care-delivery-medicaid-and-medicare
How Has COVID-19 Changed the Way We Do Virtual Care? A Scoping Review Protocol: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9601957/