5 Benefits of Telemedicine for Chronic Diseases

The days of calling your doctor where you’re able to schedule only an in-office appointment are behind us. The future is now, and it starts with telemedicine.

Telemedicine is an option for patients who want to discuss medical issues or treatments via their smartphone or computer. It's a revolutionary aspect of modern medicine that benefits the patient and the provider.

The Highway Integrative Health Center team in Davenport, Florida, offers telemedicine to all their patients.

Dr. Jose Lopez-Chevres and Dr. Yaritza Arriaga O'Neill are our two primary care providers who are happy to provide telemedicine for convenience to their patients.

Understanding telemedicine

Telemedicine is an essential component of health care; it allows for virtual appointments for providers, patients, and specialists.

The COVID-19 pandemic allowed telemedicine to shine, offering ill patients the ability to consult with their doctor over the phone or through video chats on the computer.

Various forms of telemedicine exist to provide both conveniences to the provider and the patient, including:

• Virtual video chats
• Audio-only appointments
• Remote patient monitoring
• Store and forward videoconferencing
• Mobile health

Each aspect of telemedicine helps patients in a broader geographical area, or those who have difficulty getting out of their homes due to immobility or disease, to access needed medical care.

Telemedicine for chronic disease management

According to the CDC, six in 10 Americans have a chronic medical condition. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.

Routine appointments and consulting specialists are required when you have a chronic health issue, but that's not easy for everyone.

Telemedicine offers ease of care for people with chronic conditions by providing the following aspects of care through virtual visits:

• Nutrition counseling
• Explanation of test results
• Learning about remote monitoring devices
• Behavioral therapy and care
• Medication management
• Wellness check-ins
• Routine checks for chronic problems

Many health providers now offer telemedicine appointments to provide long-term care for patients with chronic medical problems.

What are the benefits?

Telemedicine is a cutting-edge technology that benefits patients and healthcare providers.

If you're living with a chronic health problem, there are several benefits to your health with telemedicine, and they include the following five:

1. Remote patient monitoring

Remote patient monitoring allows the provider to evaluate your health through electronic devices in your home.

For example, if you have high blood pressure, you can take your blood pressure at home, and your provider can monitor it through telemedicine and remote patient monitoring.

The remote monitoring device records your health data so your provider can look back on it later to compare results and customize your treatment plan.

2. Improved access to care

Only some people live close to their doctor or specialist, making it difficult to receive proper medical care. Telemedicine allows people living in remote areas or with mobility issues to see their doctor regularly without leaving their homes.

Chronic diseases require regular medical consults to avoid complications or worsening of the problem. Telemedicine provides improved access to every patient, no matter where they live

3. Comfort and convenience

You don’t always want to leave your house for a simple follow-up appointment or blood pressure check. Telemedicine offers both comfort and convenience to patients by providing care through cell phones and computers.

4. Illness control

Sickness spreads quickly through the air, so visiting a doctor's office when sick isn't always the best idea. Telemedicine allows you to see your provider without leaving your home, keeping others and your provider safe from illness and you safe from others’ illnesses.

When you have chronic health problems, even minor illnesses can cause setbacks in your health, which is why telemedicine is so beneficial.

5. Ease of collaboration between providers

Telemedicine also allows your primary care provider to consult with your specialist, which may be in another county or state.

The ease of discussing your treatments and health is essential between your providers when it comes to chronic health management.

Call our office today at 689-600-1542 to schedule a telemedicine appointment with our team, or request a consultation online using our convenient booking tool.