The COVID-19 outbreak has had a dramatic impact on society and it has changed our lives in many ways. Some would even dare to say that telecommuting and social distancing have definitely become the norm. But not only that, people are relying on technology like never before, and the telehealth industry is undoubtedly flourishing.
Recently, companies have seen the need to implement these types of services to meet the needs of their employees through online applications, SMS and video conferencing.
In this article, we’ll dive into the inner workings of this booming industry, and also explain the benefits that telehealth offers to businesses.
Healthcare + technology
Telehealth is the remote delivery of health care services. It works through telecommunications technology and digital devices.
According to Intelligence from Mordor, in 2020, the telehealth industry hit a staggering drop of $ 38,289 million and it is predicted that by 2026 it will have a turnover of $ 168,396 million.
The idea behind telehealth is to enable physicians to provide and access remote health services. For example:
Medical students can access educational resources. In this way, they can improve their health expertise beyond hospitals, laboratories and classrooms.
Physicians could access provider-to-provider videoconferences. It is an immediate way to share knowledge across the country or the world.
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) applications could help doctors track a patient’s condition in real time. It is also a great tool for providing immediate support over long distances.
But this technology is not exclusive to healthcare professionals. Users can access many telehealth features for their own benefits.
Patients living in rural or remote areas can see doctors through video consultations.
People with limited mobility can use apps to arrange home visits to a nurse or clinic, if needed.
Users can access many applications and portable devices for personal care monitoring. This is especially useful for people with chronic illnesses.
It is clear that this form of telemedicine can provide great benefits to the community. But is this a service that brands can introduce into their businesses? In short, yes.
Businesses can use this service to provide better patient care. Home office workers can receive medication, adjust their diet, and even receive blood tests and tests remotely, and it has also been proven to save brands and employees time and money. ‘silver.
But there are other potential benefits as well.
How Employers Can Benefit From Telehealth
As we mentioned earlier, telehealth is a form of primary health care. The aim is to encourage employees to use this service for minor problems so that they can follow up with their own doctor later for more specialized treatment.
For this reason, telehealth services can improve the employee experience with health services, especially when the company they work for provides them.
And with millions of people working from home, this convenient option will soon prove to be an essential lifeline for employee safety.
Let’s go over some strategies for incorporating the benefits of telehealth into your business:
Integration of the health care plan
Integrating telehealth into existing health care plans can provide consistent care at lower premium costs.
Mercier reports that health benefit costs exceeded $ 13,000 in 2019. This number is expected to increase in the coming years. In addition, 9 out of 10 employers offer e-health services to their employees
As brands seek cost-effective strategies to protect their employees, telehealth is slowly coming to the fore.
Here are some of the services available:
Remote monitoring of patients. Set up portable devices to track an employee’s vital signs. For example, a diabetic patient can monitor blood sugar readings. Then the data is then transferred to a professional for diagnosis.
Pharmacy. Access to applications that track prescription drug use or authorize refills. The app can offer reminders and follow-ups, or inform patients about their treatment.
Detox. Employees can set up devices, apps and consultations to track their rehabilitation after an accident or after illness. They can also make appointments so as not to miss rehabilitation sessions with doctors.
Online consultation. Patients can contact nurses or professional doctors for psychological support. These can be done through video chat or specialized texting apps.
To ensure consistency, you can team up with certified medical practices. The advantage is that you will integrate telemedicine into health care plans.
UnitedHealthcare is a good example. Users can create accounts to access qualified physicians who provide telehealth services.
Meeting the needs of employees
Your employees are unique individuals. Therefore, they have unique health needs. There are several telehealth services, but not all of them meet the needs of youth staff.
It is essential that you review the services of any telehealth provider. Also test their distribution channels. Some employees may prefer video chats, and email may work better for others.
Services and media will determine the brand’s commitment to telehealth. Let’s say your employees live in remote areas with limited broadband. It would be better to focus on chat or call services rather than video consultations.
If you want to provide this type of service, survey employees first to find out what the best channel and services are for them.
The data obtained will help you make the best hiring decision. Plus, you’ll show that their health is important to you.
Make known
Telehealth is new and voluntary. Employees won’t use it if they don’t know it’s there for them. To generate engagement, consider implementing an incentive program. Mercer says that in 2019, only 9% of eligible staff were using its telehealth services.
Communicate the benefits of the program. For example, explain that online consultations can increase their access to health services.
Telehealth can reduce the average number of doctor visits. This translates into less waiting time and lower expenses.
In addition to sharing the benefits, educate employees about the tools available. Set up a short tutorial so that staff know how to register and access the services offered.
Do they need to create an account? Can they download an app? What personal data do they have to submit to doctors?
Knowing the logistics of the program will ease the minds of employees, build confidence, and increase engagement.
Amazon care
The retail giant has launched Amazon care in 2019. The program offers 24-hour e-health services to Amazon employees and their families.
As of 2021, only Amazon employees have access to this program. The app provides access to specialized medical experts, who follow the medical history of each employee.
Amazon Care also offers the following services:
Care team. Employees are protected by Care Medical. This certified medical practice has a team of licensed doctors and registered nurses ready to take care of users.
Cat on care. Text messaging with registered nurses for health advice.
Mobile care. Doctors may recommend in-person visits to provide follow-up care.
Users can also book medical appointments and exams, get prescriptions issued, and track annual vaccinations.
Amazon Care is available throughout the United States, but it is expected that in the future this program will be available in more regions of the world. This proves that telehealth has the potential to improve employee well-being.
Final thoughts
Telehealth is revolutionizing healthcare and education practices, and in this digital age, businesses must strive to stay on top of new trends to stay ahead of the competition.
As we mentioned earlier, solutions like Amazon Care offer great benefits for brands. So why not innovate by creating your own resources?
However, we recommend that you consider the different options available to find out how you can best meet the needs of your workers.
Once you have decided on the type of telehealth provider you will offer your employees, be sure to educate them on the subject so that they are aware of all the benefits to which they will have access.
Remember, commitment is key. Keeping your employees informed will prevent such an investment from being wasted.
Make sure that these services are clear to them and offer attractive benefits to their immediate family members. This will make them feel protected by your business and create long term loyalty and staff retention.
Authors biography
Esteban Muñoz is SEO Writer at AMZ Advisors, with several years of experience in digital marketing and e-commerce. Esteban and the team at AMZ Advisers have been able to achieve incredible growth on the Amazon platform for their clients by optimizing and managing their accounts and creating in-depth content marketing strategies.
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