Telehealth and EMR/EHR systems: Benefits to Your Practice and Patients
Consumer demand is driving the adoption of newer technologies, even in medical practices that are relatively young. Patients expect digital health records and online booking systems. They also want cashless payment methods. This trend has been accelerated by the recent increase in remote consultations due to the pandemic. Many patients have chosen Telehealth for its convenience and security.
Telehealth solutions allow medical practices to better serve their patients, generate additional revenue streams and retain patients that would otherwise look for virtual consultations elsewhere. Telehealth is most effective when it's integrated with EMR and EHR systems. This integration provides a seamless experience for patients, improves clinical decision-making, decreases prescription errors and enhances patient outcomes.
Considerations to Integrate EMR/EHR and Telehealth
1. User-Friendly Experience: Telehealth should be easy to use for patients. Virtual consultations should be like in-person appointments, to avoid frustrations and distractions due complicated technology.
2. Security is important. Telehealth systems include video, voice and data. While EMR/EHRs are designed to protect text-based information, Telehealth also includes these components. Make sure your Telehealth solution is equipped with appropriate security measures that will protect this data.
3. Seamless integration: Eliminate duplicate data entry with a Telehealth system that seamlessly integrates with your EMR/EHR. This integration allows for real-time access to patient data, improving efficiency and accuracy.
Benefits of Integrating Telehealth with EMR/EHR
· Improved Accuracy & Information Flow: Integrated systems allow you access and update patient data during virtual consultations, without having to re-enter the information. This reduces errors and saves time.
· Reduced waiting times: Telehealth is a great way to expand the capacity of your practice and allow for quicker follow-ups.
· Improved Access to Care Remote consultations can make medical care accessible to patients who are elderly, infirm, or far away.
· Billing Process Streamlined: Integrated systems provide seamless billing for your practice, increasing efficiency and improving clarity for patients.
· Improved Patient Outcomes Telehealth allows patients to adhere to their health plan by allowing them to easily access routine appointments and follow-up appointments.
· Reduced Travel Time for Practitioners: By storing data in the cloud, clinicians can access patient records anywhere. This is especially useful when working from multiple locations, or during emergencies.
· Savings on travel and costs for patients: Virtual consultations reduce travel time and costs and offer convenience and savings.
· Medical Aid Claim consistency: Use the same process for benefit checks and claim submissions for Telehealth consultations as you would for in-person visits. Many medical aids cover Telehealth services.
· Improved Doctor-Patient Relationship: Integrated systems allow easy access to records of patients during virtual consultations, replicating the experience of a real-life visit and ensuring that the doctor's attention is focused on the patient.
·
Integration of Telehealth and EMR/EHR with EMR/EHR will help you create a patient-friendly, modern medical practice. It may seem complicated, but partnering with a knowledgeable technology provider can make the process easier and improve your practice's efficiency. Healthbridge is a trusted partner of over 7000 private medical practices with more than 25 years' experience. They offer valuable solutions and insights for building a technologically advanced and sustainable medical practice.
