- For patients, the most important thing about telehealth tools and systems is that they generate trust and reliability (for 6 out of 10), are affordable (for 25%) and easy to use (for 15%).
- 58% of specialists believe that, thanks to telemedicine and web possibilities, patients come to the doctor’s office better informed.
- The optimization of care and diagnosis times, the experience of interacting with more informed patients in the consultation room, the possibility of reducing waiting list times, among the most valued by doctors.
Barcelona, October 19, 2018.- The healthcare sector is in the midst of a digital maelstrom in its quest to shorten the doctor-patient distance, streamline processes, and democratize and generate rigorous and trusted health information within the online world. Technological progress is unstoppable and both patients and doctors are in full adaptation to the world of eHealth, and according to the latest study conducted by Top Doctors®, both players agree that there are more advantages than disadvantages in incorporating telemedicine in the care, management and administration of health.
For 8 out of 10 doctors surveyed, the use of these systems allows them to provide a better quality of life for patients, seeing as the main advantage the possibility of optimizing care and diagnosis times (38%), interacting with more informed patients in the consultation (26%), reducing waiting list, consultation and emergency times (19%), as well as improving agility in the management of the patient’s administrative procedures (17%). From the perspective of the patients who participated in the study, the most important aspects of telehealth tools and systems are that they generate trust and reliability (for 6 out of 10), are affordable (for 25%) and easy to use (for 15%).
Overcoming geographical barriers and optimizing data management
Although there is still a long way to go before we have a fully-fledged “eDoctor”, specialists have already begun to implement solutions in their day-to-day work to help them manage the ever-increasing volume of patient data they handle. When it comes to incorporating these tools, what medical professionals value most is the possibility of overcoming geographical and time barriers, reducing the number of unnecessary visits, as well as improving patient outcomes thanks to the greater precision and reduction of diagnosis and treatment times that they allow.
According to the data, online management of medical appointments is the tool that, for the time being, they are getting the most out of: 6 out of 10 already use it or would implement it to manage their schedules. The integration of online medical records is, in second place, the most valued technology -for 4 out of 10 it would be key at this time-, and direct contact tools with the patient such as chat or video-consultation are two systems that currently, they say, would improve their day-to-day life. In addition, 58% of doctors believe that, thanks to telemedicine and web possibilities, patients come to the doctor’s office better informed about their state of health or about certain pathologies, which allows them to work in a more agile and efficient way, while up to 42% still observe inaccuracies in the data they handle.
On the other hand, according to the data obtained, up to 64% of patients would have made their appointments telematically, being satisfied with the experience and, in 8 out of 10 cases, would recommend it to their closest contacts. What they value most about the service is, in order, being able to resolve their check-ups in a short time, having easy access to high-level doctors, and being able to make personal consultations with them remotely.
The role of the doctor is irreplaceable. Technology would be the plus to gain in efficiency and precision.
Patients are currently one step ahead in terms of digitization. According to this analysis, 65% of them already use or would be willing to use telemedicine for health care and management. Most of the patients surveyed believe that their role in their own healthcare is becoming more proactive, gaining greater control. For them, the combination of the specialist’s medical knowledge and humane treatment, with the precision and efficiency provided by technology in their work, is a highly powerful added value, essential for optimal diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. However, the main barrier continues to be cost. Thus, 7 out of 10 say they would not pay to make use of it, compared to 22% who would do so if the price of these tools were less than 50€. Only 17% would be willing to pay higher prices for their use.
Cooling of the doctor-patient relationship
The only thing that worries both doctors and patients is that the use of technological tools at a distance could cool down and make the relationship between the two parties less empathetic. They also believe that the generation gap prevents the full implementation of telemedicine in day-to-day practice.