For the majority of people, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the world in a state of emergency, but the risks are significantly greater for those with weakened immune systems, such as elderly persons and those with disabilities. Similarly, family caregivers who look after their loved ones must exercise extra caution when leaving the house because doing so puts their patients at risk of contracting a harmful illness like coronavirus. In this time of crisis, telehealth nursing is a crucial service.
Let’s learn what telehealth nursing is, what it looks like, and how it helps elderly people, people with disabilities, and family caregivers now and in the future.
Overview of Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth nursing is the practice of providing treatment remotely using electronic and digital technologies such as telecommunications. Telehealth nursing, commonly referred to as telenursing and nursing telepractice, is a subset of telemedicine. Any location with the requisite technology can perform it, including jails, private residences, medical offices, clinics, and hospitals.
Telehealth Nursing Benefits
Here are some advantages of Telehealth nursing practice.
Access to Care for Patients Has Increased
Telenursing may be most beneficial for patients who reside in outlying areas and subsequently struggle to get essential primary care services. When they are at home, they are probably only a few feet away from their computer or smartphone, which puts them also just a few feet away from a virtual office visit even though the closest hospital or urgent care center may be hundreds of miles away.
Telenursing can get beyond physical barriers to reach patients and provide easy access to care. It doesn't matter if the patient is several miles away in a prison or is at home getting ready to weather an impending cyclone. Telenursing technology can reach patients whenever needed, resulting in better patient care.
Saves Time and Money
Healthcare professionals can see patients more quickly thanks to telemedicine, and patients can attend appointments at home. Telehealth can result in financial savings by lowering the need for travel, office personnel, and office space.
Greater Flexibility in Nurses
Telenursing is a nursing profession that does not have the usual time or place restrictions. The nurse and patient can receive care whenever it is most convenient for them, anywhere they have a quick, dependable Internet connection.
Telehealth Nursing Disadvantages
Here are some disadvantages of Telehealth nursing practice.
Safeguarding patient data
Medical information about a patient may be accessible to hackers and other criminals, particularly if the patient uses a public network or an unencrypted channel to access telemedicine.
Out of Pocket Costs
Even though insurance companies are paying more and more for telehealth visits in the COVID-19 epidemic, some services might not be fully covered, forcing patients to pay out of pocket.
Not being able to assess patients
During telemedicine sessions, healthcare professionals must rely on patient self-reports. To gain a thorough health history, professionals may need to ask more questions as a result of this. Treatment may be compromised if a patient omits a significant symptom that might have been apparent during in-person care.
Telehealth nursing is undoubtedly in high demand right now. Caregivers and telehealth nurses are valuable partners who play increasingly crucial roles in the care team because they can easily communicate changes as they occur. The value of this collaboration may be becoming more apparent during the coronavirus crisis, but as the globe moves past the present pandemic, telehealth nursing will gain more prominence.
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