How to Ensure a Successful Telemedicine Experience for both the Provider and Patient
post by Samantha Strazanac, TriMed Technologies - April 21, 2022

Blog22_Telemedicine

Telehealth and telemedicine have become more popular than ever before and are often a key component for patients seeking new providers. However, while it offers many benefits for both doctors and patients, there are some struggles that come along with this new way of providing healthcare.

One of the main struggles for providers is getting patients to actually use the telemedicine platform. Many patients are still hesitant to try a new way of communicating with their doctor and are often more comfortable meeting in person. As a result, doctors have to spend extra time convincing their patients to give telehealth a try. Consider providing marketing collateral to share with your patients who are hesitant to consider telemedicine and showcase the benefits including safety, security, and how routine telehealth appointments can save them time and money.

A struggle that is slowly diminishing is the billing and insurance issues that used to be associated with telemedicine. While many insurance companies are still catching up to the trend of telehealth, most have seen the benefits and are now covering telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person visits. However, there are still some billing issues to be aware of such as getting pre-authorization from the insurance company and making sure you are using the correct codes when billing for your services.

There are also technical difficulties that can arise with telemedicine. These difficulties range from issues logging on, to negative user experience, camera connectivity, and sound complications. At the end of the day, the telehealth experience comes down to two components; the platform hosting the appointment and the provider or practitioner leading the appointment.

Programs like TriMed Complete EHR offer a secure, user-friendly telemedicine platform within their EHR solution that allows for an easy-to-use, easy-to-integrate, and easy-to-schedule experience for both the patient and provider.

In regards to the appointment itself, the provider needs to pay special attention to being hyperfocused on the patient. As you are not confined to a private room with minimal distractions you need to be aware of your surroundings and the possible distractions that may arise. As a provider, you should be not only focused on the patient care but their telemedicine experience.

For a successful telemedicine patient experience, the responsibility falls on you. The first step is to create a distraction-free environment. This means turning off all electronics, silencing your phone, and closing any door that may cause outside noise or distractions. Next, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach including the patient’s file, your notes, and a glass of water (this trick will save your voice and you can thank us later). With TriMed Complete EHR, everything you need is already in reach including space to take notes and quickly and easily search for past notes within their file.

It’s very important to be aware of your body language and ensure you are making eye contact with the patient as much as possible. Sit up straight, lean slightly forward, and nod when appropriate. Being cognizant of your body language is essential for patients to detect sincerity.

The last major struggle of telemedicine is maintaining a work-life balance. When you're not tied to a physical location, it can be tempting to work all the time. This can lead to burnout very quickly so it's important to set boundaries from the beginning. Let your patients know what your availability is and stick to it. If you find yourself working more hours than you're comfortable with, take a step back and reassess why that is and how you can change it.

While there are several struggles that come with telemedicine, by being aware of them, you can put steps in place to overcome them. Utilizing a user-friendly platform like TriMed Complete EHR can help with some of the technical difficulties while also providing a space to take notes and search past files. And finally, being aware of your body language and setting boundaries from the beginning will help create a successful telemedicine experience for both you and your patients.

By following these steps, you can help ensure a successful telemedicine experience for both you and your patients. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about TriMed Complete EHR, please visit our website or contact us today.

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