10 Ways Telehealth & Digital Health Can Help

Telehealth uses technology to set up video or phone appointments between you and your healthcare providers. Using telehealth can make it easier to get health care. Here are 10 specific ways telehealth can help you: 

    1. Convenient Access to Health Care: Telehealth services allow you to communicate with healthcare providers from wherever you are. Telehealth can easily connect you to the care you need if you live in an area without healthcare facilities.
    1. Immediate Care for Non-Emergency Issues: If you have a small health concern or need medical advice, telehealth can connect you with a healthcare provider. They can explain how to manage your symptoms. They can also let you know if you need more treatment.
    1. Continuity of Care: Telehealth appointments make it easier to have regular check-ins with your healthcare provider. This can be done without interrupting your daily activities. Regular check-ins can improve your health.
    1. Reduce the Spread of Germs: Telehealth appointments are used by doctors if a patient might be contagious. This lowers the number of sick people coming into the clinic or doctor’s office.
    1. Checking In Chronic Conditions: You can use telehealth to discuss with your doctor health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease that you can track at home. This can help prevent more serious health issues and get treatment before symptoms get worse.
    1. Family Support: Some patients like having a family member or guardian go with them to appointments. Telehealth services let family members or guardians to go to virtual visits with your consent, no matter where they live.
    1. Better Assessment: Telehealth can be helpful for appointments with specialty providers. For example, an allergist can identify clues in your house causing allergy symptoms. Physical and occupational therapists can assess your ability to take care of yourself at home.
    1. Mental Health Support: Telehealth offers access to professional mental health care from anywhere with internet access within in the state.
    1. Health Education and Resources: Telehealth platforms often offer educational materials and tools. This includes videos, interactive quizzes, and online support groups. They can help you better understand your health conditions and treatment options.
    1. Cost Effective: It can be cheaper to do a telehealth appointment. You don’t have to pay for gas, parking, or childcare. Since you don’t have to travel for a telehealth appointment, you also will have less time away from work. This means less lost pay. 

Telehealth services enhance the quality, accessibility, and convenience of healthcare services through technology. 

If you want to learn more about how to manage your care using telehealth services, call the Link to Care WA hotline at 866-757-1832 (TTY:711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.