Proper healthcare is only as good as its availability. It can be difficult for some people to attend regular healthcare visits in-person, whether it’s due to job obligations or health-related reasons. Telehealth services care use online methods to give patients long-distance healthcare when they’re unable to meet with their therapist or regular doctor. The advantages of telemedicine include independence, affordability and accessibility for a wide variety of people no matter the situation. If you or your loved one are considering the benefits of telehealth, keep reading to learn more about this growing market and what it can do for you.
Health Statistics
It’s estimated that over half of the American population suffers from a form of mental illness. Diagnosable mental illness, such as chronic anxiety disorder or depression, is found in an estimated 30-35% of the population. Numbers like these mean that medicine has to advance and change to meet the demand — the telehealth market is expected to go from an estimated $240 million in 2013 to an unparalleled $1.9 billion in 2018. Telehealth offers an adaptable form of care that wasn’t previously available in the field of psychology. But just how can you benefit from telemedicine?
Who Benefits From Telehealth Services?
Telehealth services care offer patients a degree of flexibility and independence that is not normally found in traditional office visits. A modern study revealed that telepsychiatry appointments were less likely to be cancelled by patients, at 3.5% compared to the traditional 4.8% and far less likely to be no-shows at 4.2% compared to the usual 7.8%. A trial of online therapy showed that patients often reached an average of six sessions and well over half would re-book. Everything from telemedicine software and telemedicine video conferencing contribute to the range of available online options for people to use in order to assist with chronic mental illness. Twenty-two states so far have implemented that insurance carriers reimburse those who use telehealth services and that number is expected to grow. If you’ve had difficulties with traditional care, consider telehealth and get the care that you need.