The COVID-19 outbreak has severely strained the health system, but telemedicine is being seen as a vital way of coping including for those impacted by the outbreak.
For a follow-up visit after her recent cancer surgery, Gail Rae-Garwood opted for a video consultation with her specialist, avoiding a long journey -- and potential exposure to COVID-19 in medical offices.
"COVID-19 is very conducive to telemedicine," said Omar Khan, a family physician and head of Delaware Health Sciences Alliance in Wilmington, Delaware. "They know the danger," he said."They don't want to put themselves or health care workers at risk, and don't want to come to the hospital unnecessarily. At a time like this a hospital is a scary place."The crisis has highlighted the value of telemedicine, long touted as a way to deliver medical care to people in underserved areas and to deal more efficiently with issues ranging from minor emergencies to mental health.
"In a matter of days we've completely switched and particularly older adults who may be vulnerable to complications are being told not to come to clinic," said Malani.With the virus raging, regulatory barriers to telehealth services have quickly come down. Privacy regulations which limited the kinds of technology for video consultations have also been eased, making it possible to use consumer-friendly services like Skype or FaceTime.
Berman would have offered telehealth consultations before, but until last month the visits were not covered by private or government insurance, or by his own malpractice coverage.
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