COVID-19: The Virtual Age of Healthcare

Will the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 Be the Groundbreaking Year for Telemedicine?
The virtual age of healthcare is upon us. I believe 2020 will be the groundbreaking year for telemedicine. Now, virtual medicine is not new. This technology has been around for several years, but the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has shaken up and altered the healthcare system in unprecedented ways. This article discusses the pros, cons, and future recommendations and thoughts on telehealth.
The virtual age of healthcare is upon us. I believe 2020 will be the groundbreaking year for telemedicine. Now, virtual medicine is not new. This technology has been around for several years, but the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has shaken up and altered the healthcare system in unprecedented ways.
Let’s face it. The world is changing all around us. When I was growing up (which doesn’t feel like all that long ago), my friends and I played hide and seek, it-tag, and kickball in our free time. As teenagers, we spent time hanging out at the local shopping malls and spent evenings at bonfires. These days, children and teenagers spend hours on apps such as Tik-Tok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter, to name a few. Ordering food and having it delivered is as easy as downloading an app, choosing a meal, and clicking “submit.” Buying items from books, to clothing, to household goods, can be also be completed by simply using your phone or computer. Even all of my courses for my MSN/ MBA degree are virtual! At some point, healthcare had to jump on board. That time is now!
Is telemedicine appropriate?
Telemedicine certainly has pros and cons. When I began working as a nurse case manager for an insurance company, I was hesitant to advise customers to use virtual doctor visits for symptoms/ailments, a benefit available for many customers. After all, how is a doctor going to diagnose pneumonia without listening to the patient’s lungs or getting a chest x-ray? How well can a doctor determine that a patient has strep throat without actually looking at their throat or performing a throat culture? Maybe that sore throat is just a viral infection and unnecessarily prescribing antibiotics is compounding antibiotic resistance.
Pros
Telemedicine can be quite helpful as long as the practitioner has sufficient experience. While diagnosing over the phone/computer can pose a challenge, many conditions often present in a typical fashion. If the practitioner knows the right questions to ask, diagnosing can be simple with many straightforward conditions.
Cost
The cost of medical care today is astronomical. Many health plans have switched to high deductible plans. This means that patients pay out of pocket until a deductible of $4,000 or even as high as $6,000 has been met. Using telemedicine is a more cost-effective option for those who do not have the funds to pay for standard office or urgent care visits.
Convenience
This is extremely important. Everybody always seems to be busy and on the go these days. Telemedicine provides convenient access to care. Instead of wasting half of the day going to a doctor’s appointment, why not call a doctor on the phone on your lunch break, then pick up your prescribed medication on the way home?
Availability
A frequent complaint I hear in my position as an insurance company case manager is the lack of availability of appointments. Wait times for doctor/NP/PA appointments can be days, weeks, and even months depending on the specialty and area of the country one resides in. This is not practical if an individual is experiencing acute symptoms. Telemedicine offers an option for immediate care in these situations. Also, telemedicine can be especially useful for those who live in rural areas or those who do not have transportation to traditional doctor visits.
Cons
It is possible to misdiagnose
Even the best practitioners can misdiagnose when typical evaluation methods are not possible. This can lead to follow up virtual visits or a trip to the doctor’s or urgent care center for further evaluation.
Not all symptoms are appropriate for telemedicine
I have had customers try to use telemedicine for symptoms such as black tarry stools, right lower quadrant pain, or symptoms consistent with pyelonephritis. As healthcare providers, we can help educate patients on when telemedicine services are appropriate and when in person care is warranted.
Not all specialties participate in telemedicine
Virtual medicine is ever-changing and I believe this will change, but currently, some specialties do not use telehealth services (for the most part) which can hinder a patient from seeking care at the onset of symptoms.
Recommendations for healthcare professionals
Over the next few years, the demand for virtual medicine is going to evolve and skyrocket. We are on the brink of major changes in healthcare at this time. It is imperative for healthcare professionals to stay abreast of the changes so they can provide the best care to patients.
Article shared from AllNurses.com
Benefits of Going to College
Education or training beyond high school is important. A college degree gives you more opportunities and a better life. "The purpose of college is not…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Going Back to School to be a Registered Nurse
Want to change careers? See how becoming a registered nurse offers a relatively quick option for professionals to jumpstart a new, fulfilling career. In 2019,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
College Prep for High School Seniors
Parents - Are you staying on top of your high school senior student with important dates and tasks as they explore their next adventure after…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
October Info Sessions Now Available – Enrolling for January 2024
Sumner College is accepting applications for BSN, LPN and RNBSN classes. If you want to jump-start your #career in nursing, register to attend one of…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Tips to Stay Health in Nursing School
The key components to staying healthy during your nursing education and going forward are to minimize stress, a proper nutritional daily intake, and an active…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month: July 2023
Congratulations to ADN student, Kindra, for being awarded the Student of the Month for July 2023. Kindra was introduced to the nursing profession through their…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month: June 2023
Congratulations to PN student, Evan, for being awarded the Student of the Month for June 2023. Evan embarked on his nursing journey after hearing glowing…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month: May 2023
Congratulations to ADN student, Jerald for being awarded the Student of the Month for May 2023. Jerald is a dedicated Sumner College student on a…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing and Care Staff Working in a Heatwave
During a heatwave, it is important we keep both staff and patients safe. It doesn’t matter if you work in a hospital, GP surgery, clinic,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Happy Labor Day!
Happy Labor Day! Here's to all the hard-working individuals who make our lives a little bit easier every day. Let's celebrate with some rest, relaxation,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Attention all nurses!
Attention all nurses! Continuing education is vital in expanding your skillset and staying one step ahead of the competition. Investing in further education brings many…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New September Info Sessions – Registration Required
Are you looking to jump-start your #career in nursing? How about exploring Sumner College's BSN program? Aspiring nurses, join us for an information session in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
School Nurse International Organization
School Nurses International provides a forum for nurses around the world working with school children to come together in a stimulating intellectual and happy environment…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
SNOW – School Nurse Organization of Washington
School Nurse Organization of Washington (SNOW) is a non-profit professional organization started in 1956. Mission Statement SNOW supports school nurses in the delivery of health…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Oregon School Nurses Association
The Oregon School Nurses Association (OSNA) advocates for the health and success of all children through equitable access to school nursing services. OSNA is the only state association…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Back to School Tool-Kit – School Nurses
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! Whether you are seasoned school nurse or in your first year on the job, NASN’s back-to-school toolkit highlights the…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Scholarships
Trying to figure out how to pay for nursing school? If your desire is to earn your BSN there could be a nursing scholarship, grant,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Start a new career journey – Attend a BSN Info Session and learn more about the Sumner College’s BSN Program
Have you been considering going to nursing school? Learn more about the new BSN program offered at Sumner College by attending one of the August…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
#Hiring
#Hiring at Sumner College! We are recruiting for a few great candidates to join our team at the Portland, Oregon Campus. The following positions are…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Classes Start Every Month – Phlebotomy – Mesa, AZ
Get ready to embark on a rewarding career in the medical field with Sumner's Phlebotomy Technician Program! Designed with convenience and quality in mind, our…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The Importance of Phlebotomy to Medicine – New classes starting every month
Phlebotomists are skilled medical specialists who study in drawing blood after patients, typically for medicinal testing. Meanwhile, blood tests can offer data concerning a patient’s…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Practical Nursing – Get Started Today
Passionate about healthcare and eager to make a difference? Sumner College's Practical Nursing Program can pave your way to a rewarding career as a Licensed…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
BSN Classes Enroll Now
Sumner is committed to helping aspiring healthcare professionals realize their dreams. We're thrilled to announce that enrollment is open for our Bachelor of Science in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Career – New YOU
Start a healthcare career when you graduate from Sumner's 8-week Phlebotomy Technician Program. Our program will prepare you for opportunities to work in hospitals, long-term…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How to Become A Pediatric Nurse
This article is shared from Forbes. If you remember the scraped knees and splinters from childhood, you might also recall reluctant trips to the doctor’s…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Phlebotomy – Mesa
Looking for a comprehensive, flexible, and personal phlebotomy training program? Look no further than Sumner! We are proud to announce that enrollment is open for…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Classes Start Today!
Welcome to Sumner College. New BSN, PN and RN to BSN students start classes today. Congratulations on embarking on your healthcare career journey.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The Vital Role of Phlebotomy in Medicine
Phlebotomy, or taking blood specimens, has been a part of medical care for centuries. Because drawing and handling blood samples are very crucial and strictly…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Veterans Benefits – Thank you for your service!
Sumner College | VETERANS BENEFITS Thank you for your service to our country. We are honored to help you continue your education and provide the…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Happy 4th of July – Enjoy your day
Sumner College Campus is closed today, to celebrate the 4th of July.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn