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Home Running A Business Introducing Telehealth Into Your Private Practice
Over the past several years, telehealth has gone from a novel concept to a preferred option for many patients. But it still hovered on the fringes of society. The physical separation of caregiver and patient seemed to be too great a jump for a generation that celebrated the importance of “bedside manner.”
Would doctors be able to make accurate diagnoses based solely on a phone call or video chat? Would the transmission of the telehealth visit be safe and secure? And would telehealth move us closer to the strange future envisioned in films like Minority Report?
It appears the answers to these questions are yes, no, and probably not. The year 2020 has seen a significant shift in the public’s view of telehealth. As a result, the technology has gone mainstream.
“The adoption of telemedicine shifted into hyper-drive over the past month, with virtual healthcare interactions on pace to top 1 billion by year’s end, according to analysts at Forrester Research,” explains a telehealth report from CNBC. “That would represent a massive expansion from telemedicine usage before the coronavirus pandemic.”
One of the key reasons that private practices have gotten more involved with telehealth is that it’s now more lucrative. Not only is telehealth one of the purest forms of social distancing during a pandemic, but it’s now reimbursed through Medicaid and Medicare at the same rates as an office visit. Add to the equation the relaxing of regulations for factors such as prescriptions, malpractice, and mobile devices, and it’s difficult to justify not using the technology.
Beyond the health benefits and great compensation, telehealth offers a wide array of benefits to private practices:
If you haven’t already incorporated telehealth offerings into your practice, there’s no time like the present. Start by researching your state’s regulations to ensure you can move forward confidently. After confirming these details, you’re ready to take the necessary steps to get up and running.
As you answer these and other related questions, draft a plan that will guide you through the process. This plan may require some effort up front, but the clarity it provides will likely save you time and resources in the long run.
You’ll also need to assemble the equipment needed to support your chosen technology. Don’t worry—you won’t need a high-powered computer equipped with expensive add-ons. Just get a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Make sure all updates have been made to boost the performance and security, and then verify that your internet connection is reliable.
Your priority should be finding a room or office that offers complete privacy. Other considerations for your location include potential distractions. You should make sure there won’t be background noises or visible clutter that might negatively impact the patient’s experience. Lighting is also important so the patient can clearly see your face.
When you feel ready to bring patients into the mix, don’t open the floodgates all at once. Start with a handful of trusted patients who will be forgiving of any glitches that might arise.
Don’t rely solely on word-of-mouth to reach potential patients. You need to promote your new offering through all your standard marketing channels. Pay extra attention to your social networks and other digital advertising platforms, as the users you’ll connect with there are probably more likely to use telehealth than someone who reads about it in their daily newspaper.
By introducing telehealth into your practice, you’ll set the stage for future growth. This technology isn’t going anywhere. Instead, it will continue to spread throughout the world. And your practice will be right there, riding the wave.
Grant Olsen is a writer specializing in small business loans, leadership skills, and growth strategies. He is a contributing writer for KSL 5 TV, where his articles have generated more than 6 million page views, and has been featured on FitSmallBusiness.com and ModernHealthcare.com. Grant is also the author of the book "Rhino Trouble." He has a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University.
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