Top Facts: How the Pandemic led to a Drastic Rise in Telehealth Sector

The coronavirus pandemic has shown us how really flawed the public healthcare systems are. With its rapid pace, the novel coronavirus has forced nations to lock down its borders as well as its cities, with fewer relaxations. Populations across the globe are drastically getting infected by this contagious virus, forcing countries to go into complete lockdown. The demand for telehealth has been steadily increasing for years but this pandemic has dramatically multiplied the use of telehealth and telemedicine services in a wide range of USA and beyond.

Multiple telehealth software providers like SISGAIN have seen a surge of number of users for their products and services over the last few months. Telehealth application offerings in USA are vital to limiting the spread of the infections and help ease the burden on care providers. Healthcare providers are using mobile telehealth solutions programs to diagnose and treat patients from afar, so that they don’t feel the need to come in for a traditional in-person visit to a facility where they could be exposed to the novel coronavirus.

People are urged to stay at home during this coronavirus pandemic. Individuals need to contact their care providers or doctors first if they are suffering from flu or common cold like symptoms. Doctors and medical professionals will use live videoconferencing to assess whether in-person care is necessary or not.

Safeguarding the general public

The coronavirus or covid-19 is extremely contagious and causes flu or common cold like symptoms. It is a respiratory infectious disease, primarily showing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, fever and a sore throat. This pandemic has however, coincided with the end of the flu season and many patients do not know whether they covid-19 or just the common flu.

Social distancing is the primary weapon against this novel coronavirus. People are urged to stay at least six feet apart from each other and only leave their home for essentials or medical supplies. Citizens who are above 60-65 years of age and those who are already suffering from underlying chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension are most vulnerable to the disease.

Telehealth apps can be used by patients to connect and communicate with their healthcare providers without risking their health by leaving their homes and breaking social distancing. Healthcare providers use live videoconferencing and real time consultation to assess and analyse the patient’s symptoms and medication and other treatment methods and can urge them to self-isolate to prevent further contamination. Patients will still receive quality healthcare without potentially exposing themselves to the virus or risk passing it to other people.

Digital apps are used by providers to the general public well informed by sending out regular reminders and important information regarding treatments, social distancing norms and care.

Eased burden on healthcare providers

Across the nation, the number of patients infected with covid-19 is drastically increasing every single day and the public healthcare systems are overwhelmed. Several cities have had to convert storage areas, college campuses, parking lots and other public and private spaces into temporary hospitals to keep pace with the drastic increase in the number of infected persons. Healthcare facilities are running out of hospital beds and rooms to house and care for both covid-19 positive patients as well as non covid-19 positive patients.

Healthcare providers are urging patients to use telehealth software and stay at home and to limit the demand of precious medical resources like PPE kits, sanitary wipes, beds and thermometers. Patients, by staying at home and using telehealth software systems can ease the burden on healthcare providers while also protecting themselves from the virus. Remote monitoring of covid-19 positive patients using telehealth and telemedicine services, allows doctors and healthcare staff to maintain a safe distance while also providing care to everyone.