This article is largely an abstract from a story that originally appeared in It Is Innovation (i3) magazine, published by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®.

Telemedicine is leading the charge as health care shifts toward greater efficiency and cost reduction. For physically fragile patients or those who are not able to reach physical health care facilities, remote care can be a lifesaver.

Virtual care company Doctor On Demand is at the forefront of remote care. The company offers on-demand and scheduled visits with U.S.-licensed primary care physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists via a smartphone, tablet or computer.

CEO Hill Ferguson shared his insights on the growth and benefits of telemedicine in It Is Innovation (i3) magazine.

How does telemedicine bridge the gap between patients, doctors and hospitals using virtual channels?

There are many factors that inhibit patient access to quality health care — from high costs to being unable to take time off from work to not wanting to wait at a doctor’s office with other sick people.
Doctor On Demand helps break down financial and geographical barriers to improve access to care. No matter where a patient is located in the U.S. or what time of day it is, they’re able to connect with a provider. Similarly, doctors can extend the reach of their care beyond their immediate area to help more patients.

We will continue to see innovative virtual care solutions that bridge the gap between patients and doctors. Moreover, I believe we’ll see solutions that have comprehensive offerings and will be more deeply embedded in the health care system.

What are the limitations of telemedicine?

While people are often surprised by the versatility of telemedicine to triage and treat many concerns, there are still physical (i.e., suturing, resetting bones) and regulatory limitations to what a telemedicine provider can deliver.

At Doctor On Demand, we believe in a video-based care model so that doctors can treat patients based on visual cues, as well as the concerns the patient is voicing. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen many telemedicine regulation changes that validate the quality and effectiveness of video-based care.

For instance, Medicare policy changes are giving patients and their families greater assurance there won’t be any gaps in accessing care while they’re home. CMS has also updated their guidance for risk adjustment to include diagnoses resulting from telehealth appointments, which include real-time video telecommunications.

These changes mean that more patients can access providers on-demand than ever before.

How are consumers new to telemedicine reacting?

We are seeing thousands of new patients each day as people in all 50 states look to virtual care as an option to stay safe and healthy. Patients are continuing to rate their experience 4.9 out of 5 stars and are delighted by the convenience and the quality of care they receive with Doctor On Demand.

Once patients have that initial experience, we find that they return to use virtual care again and again.

Learn more about Hill Ferguson and the potential of telemedicine in i3 magazine.