The pandemic has changed the way we live and work, but it’s also had a dramatic impact on the way we access healthcare and medical services. Although some trends will be temporary, it is likely that the Covid crisis will shape and influence the future of healthcare. In this guide, we’ll discuss what could happen in the months and years ahead.
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/thermometer-medications-tablets-1539191/
Virtual consultations
One of the most significant changes patients and healthcare providers experienced during the pandemic was a switch to virtual consultations and telephone appointments. Rather than going into a practice, clinic or health center, patients were encouraged to talk to their doctor or therapist online. It is likely that in-person appointments will become more commonplace as restrictions ease, but virtual consultations are here to stay. In many cases, for example, minor ailments and follow-up appointments, they can be more convenient for patients, especially those who find it hard to get out and about. Phone calls and video chats can also save time for both parties.
The key to making technology work for doctors and healthcare staff lies in ensuring that it is safe to provide assessments or treatment advice without seeing the patient in person. It is also essential to make sure that patients are referred for testing if a diagnosis is unclear. It is possible for patients to seek advice from medical malpractice attorneys if they feel they have been given inaccurate or unsuitable advice, or they experienced diagnostic errors or delays. In the future, doctors will have to decide how to balance the ease and convenience of virtual consultations with the familiarity of seeing patients face-to-face and the opportunity to carry out physical and visual assessments.
Outpatient services
Outpatient appointments are likely to increase in the future, as procedures can be done faster and fewer patients need to stay in the hospital for treatment after undergoing surgery. With advances like keyhole surgery and laser treatment, procedures are faster and recovery times are shorter. Many hospitals and health providers will be looking to step up the provision of outpatient services to ensure that patients are able to return home as soon as possible after treatment.
Patient choice
Advances in technology and new treatments will provide patients with a greater range of choices in the years ahead. Technology is evolving continuously, and there is scope to build on existing innovations to develop areas such as robotics, for example. Patients may have a wider range of treatment options, but they will also be able to access medical and dental care via different routes, including virtual consultations and telephone services. They may even be able to choose to have treatment in their own homes or at a facility closer to home.
The healthcare industry was changing long before the pandemic due to technological developments, but there is no doubt that Covid-19 has accelerated a shift towards different ways of providing and accessing care. In the future, technology will play an even more significant role and patients should be able to enjoy more choice when it comes to treatment types and how to access healthcare.