Chronic disease management is one of the major concerns in front of healthcare providers nowadays. According to one recent study named ‘An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States, ’ nearly 50% of all the adults in the country are battling a chronic disease, and almost 30% of the population has more than one chronic disease.

A disease that lasts for 3 months or longer considers chronic. Around 7 chronic diseases across the states, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, pulmonary condition, stroke, and mental illness, greatly impact nearly $1.3 trillion of the US economy per annum.

If chronic diseases continue to grow year after year, healthcare providers must find new ways to support chronic disease management worldwide.

In this episode, we have witnessed Telehealth’s emergence as an innovative, easy-to-access, and highly effective solution for chronic disease management.

What is Telehealth?

The provision of providing healthcare and related information remotely through telecommunication and other electronic information technologies is called Telehealth. It is also known as Remote Patient Monitoring. It allows healthcare providers to manage their patients’ conditions without meeting them personally. Thanks to the technological advancements telehealth solutions offer. Even RPM allows physicians, and specialists to track their patients to know how well they are following the treatment plan? Because it is observed that some patients don’t follow the recommended steps in their treatment plan. And later question doctors’ about their recovery.

Patients tend to ignore minor symptoms to go to the hospital and consult the doctors, but Telehealth enables patients to consult with their doctors without traveling to their places quickly. Also, the doctors can advise or recommend the patient to follow the treatment plan and medication properly.

Read More: How Telehealth Enhances The Patient-Doctor Relationship?

How does Telehealth Support Chronic Disease Management?

Chronic disease management is a long healthcare process that requires constant care and support for those infected by chronic disease. Patients with chronic diseases need to visit the hospital regularly. However, the factors like budget, location, and, most importantly, their physical conditions refrain them from accessing the required quality healthcare.

Telehealth for Chronic Care Management

When it comes to chronic disease treatment and management, then Telehealth comes up as one of the best chronic disease solutions with capabilities like

• Scheduling virtual visits with providers
• Leveraging patients with electronic reminders to take medications timely and for upcoming appointments. 
• Remote patient monitoring enables patients’ to monitor their blood pressure and send information to the provider. 
• Educational outreach. 

After reviewing a wide range of such telehealth interventions, it is concluded that Telehealth can effectively help patients with chronic diseases to manage their medications better and keep them stick to their healthcare goals.

Even Telehealth for chronic disease management enables patients’ to manage a broader range of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, cardiovascular disease, etc.

4 Ways Telehealth Benefits in Chronic Disease Management

In this piece, we will see four ways Telehealth can leverage chronic disease management and improve outcomes for patients battling chronic diseases.

Increased Access to Specialized Care in Chronic Disease Management

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, around 46 million Americans are currently living in rural areas. This means a considerable share of the American population does not have access to healthcare facilities. And they have to travel long distances to see their primary care provider or a specialist. Consequently, it becomes so hard for them to get a healthcare provider’s consultation regularly.

Telehealth for chronic care management has come up as a cost-effective and efficient solution. People in rural areas can quickly get their hands-on healthcare services through Telehealth. And treat their chronic conditions from the comfort of their homes.

Read More: How To Increase Patient Engagement In Healthcare During Pandemic

Remote Patient Monitoring to Scrutinize Lifestyle Changes

Other than providing medication and different types of treatment. Telehealth solutions help in remote patient monitorng to observe changes in their lifestyles.

Patients with chronic diseases need to change their lifestyles from diet to quitting smoking and doing more exercise. But when they live on their own. They sometimes face issues with the treatment regimens, which negatively impact their health. Thanks to remote patient monitoring, healthcare providers can have their eyes on patients to see are they following the treatment guidelines or not? Their eating habits, exercising, and other activities are a must to improve chronic disease patient’s health.

Doctors can use mobile devices, live video, and audio consultation to keep their patients on track, from their medication to diet tips to suggesting different ways to keep them active to improve their recovery chances.

Triage New Symptoms in Real-Time

With chronic disease patients, there is an issue that they sometimes get a new symptom. It could be a sign of a new chronic condition, or their current condition is getting worse. In such a scenario, the patient needs to see their healthcare provider for an in-person consultation. Also, they have to travel long distances, which they avoid in most cases until their health gets worsens. On the other hand, telehealth solutions allow them to consult their doctor in real-time and get appropriate treatment. If their condition is severe, the doctor can change their treatment or recommend a visit to the nearest emergency room. This way, the patient gets the necessary healthcare promptly.

Read More: Global Telemedicine Market Trends And Statistics For 2022 – 2027

Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Overall Healthcare Costs

According to the reports, patients with chronic disease contributes a major share of all hospital admission, about 81%. But with Telehealth as a chronic disease solution. The hospital readmission percentage can be significantly lowered because physicians and specialists can monitor patients’ conditions remotely. And provide them with the best possible treatment considering their illness severity. Besides this, doctors can also answer patients’ questions about their medication, recommend lifestyle changes, and triage new symptoms with the help of telehealth apps to keep the hospital readmission rates as low as possible.

Final Words

Going through this blog, you must have known the significance of Telehealth in chronic disease management and how Telehealth is transforming the healthcare landscape for chronic disease treatment. Therefore, being a doctor or physician, you should incorporate Telehealth apps for patients in your healthcare regime if you serve patients with chronic illness.

VCDoctor is a popular telehealth solution provider with years of experience. You can trust us for the development of white-label, truly customized telemedicine solutions for hospitals, doctors, or patients at cost-effective pricing. Also, you can even consult your app development idea of Telehealth for chronic disease management with our expert developers. And build a quality product with faster time-to-market at budget pricing. Contact Now!!