In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised patients to put off non-emergency appointments to help preserve the limited supplies of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks and even scrub hats. This recommendation was made back in March, though, and now that we are well into the pandemic with no end in sight, many people are wondering whether they should continue putting off routine healthcare services, such as annual checkups. There are also those who are still putting off potentially important appointments because they are afraid of being infected with COVID-19 while in a doctor’s office or hospital.
If you are currently COVID-free and are overdue for a routine checkup or need medical treatment for something minor, choosing telehealth is likely your best option. With telehealth services, you can get the care you need while minimizing your risk of being infected and helping to ensure PPE will remain available to those who are working directly with infected patients. Not sure whether telehealth is right for you? Keep reading to discover a few reasons why you should consider telehealth for a checkup if you’re COVID-free.
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Reduced Costs
Compared to in-person office visits, virtual appointments tend to be less costly for both practices and patients. Home telehealth reduces healthcare costs because it does not require the use of personal protective equipment, disposable exam table coverings, etc. And since it costs less for practices to provide telehealth services, the cost of an appointment is generally lower for patients. According to one study, the average in-person office visit costs around $146 and the average telehealth visit costs about $79.
With the cost of healthcare being a big concern for many Americans, making the switch to telehealth for routine services could save you a bundle.
Reduced Risk
If you are currently COVID-free, staying that way is likely one of your main goals. While cleanliness is a huge priority in doctors’ offices, hospitals and other medical facilities, it’s simply impossible to guarantee patients won’t be exposed to infectious diseases. Despite the precautions being taken in light of the pandemic–including laundering scrubs and linens using antimicrobial laundry detergent–there is always a chance you could be exposed to COVID-19 or a myriad of other viruses while sitting in a waiting room, checking in with the receptionist or even just walking in the door.
Keep in mind, too, unless you have been tested and received a negative result, it is possible you could be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19. As such, you could unknowingly transmit the virus to others while you are out in public.
Choosing telehealth when you are COVID-free (or at least think you are) means the risk of contracting the virus or spreading it to others is eliminated. While precautions are being taken to protect people in virtually all public settings, the best way to stay safe is to stay home and avoid being near other people.
Greater Convenience
For most people, going to a doctor’s office is anything but convenient. You have to wait on the phone to schedule an appointment and hope something is available at a time that fits your schedule. Then, you need to drive to the facility and, in many cases, spend time searching for a parking spot that doesn’t feel like it’s miles away from the entrance. Once you enter the facility, you have to sit in a waiting room until you’re called back to an exam room and then wait even longer for your doctor to arrive.
Telemedicine eliminates much of the waiting and inconvenience.
In many cases, it is possible to speak with a healthcare provider right away or, at the very least, on the same day as you schedule a consultation. If you do need to schedule an appointment for a future time, you can usually do so online without speaking with a receptionist. You don’t have to drive anywhere or find a parking spot, and you don’t have to waste hours waiting around. Instead, you connect with the healthcare provider from the comfort of your home at a time convenient for you.
At the end of your appointment, the provider will order any required prescriptions through your local pharmacy. This means you don’t have to drop a prescription off at the drug store and wait for it to be filled. Instead, you can just stop by and pick it up when it’s ready.
The convenience continues if you require follow-up care. Instead of having to schedule another appointment and travel to your doctor’s office yet again, you can just meet with your healthcare provider online again. This is especially beneficial for anyone who lives in a rural area and would need to travel a considerable distance for appointments.
Preserve Resources and Medical Staff
As the pandemic drags on, many places are still dealing with shortages of personal protective equipment and qualified medical staff. When you visit your doctor’s office for a routine checkup, things in limited supply–including masks and gloves–need to be used even if you are COVID-free. Nurses and other workers also need to be present to care for patients.
Choosing telehealth means PPE and other supplies won’t go to waste. And fewer patients in doctors’ offices lessens the demand for nurses and other healthcare workers for routine services. When COVID-free patients choose telehealth for routine care and checkups, they are doing their part to reduce resource consumption and help ensure qualified healthcare workers will be available to provide care for the people who need it most.
The Bottom Line
If you are COVID-free, you may feel like there is no reason to choose telemedicine over in-person checkups. The truth, though, is seeing a healthcare provider online rather than in person offers numerous benefits for you, healthcare providers and other patients. One of the most important things to know about the future of telehealth is it isn’t likely to be going anywhere anytime soon. Making the switch to virtual appointments now will give you a chance to get used to the way most checkups will probably take place in the future.
