BOISE, ID — The healthcare industry is always changing, and now the virtual world is really here to stay.
- Virtual health is becoming as common as in-person visits in a doctor’s office.
- Virtual care provides a bridge between patients and clinicians that can overcome the lack of the ability to meet in three dimensions.
- Options include phones, smartphones, computers, and tablets
(The following is a transcript of the broadcast content)
Regence/Blue Shield’s Dr. Daniel Meltzer said virtual care has been studied for years, but COVID-19 has forced the healthcare industry to become more accessible and efficient. Ta. “Virtual care can bridge the gap between patients and clinicians and overcome the inability to meet in three dimensions.”
When Dr. Meltzer refers to the third dimension, he means the old-fashioned way: meeting face-to-face. There are many reasons for this, including geography, time of day, and even social isolation. “Sometimes it’s hard to get to a doctor. They’re probably 20 to 30 minutes away in an hour. So, for example, if you have a question about a medication, it’s difficult to see some of the tests that come back. “Sir, I forgot to mention that it’s a great conduit for building relationships.” ”
So what options are there for virtual visits? Meltzer explains. “It’s a phone. It’s a smartphone, it’s a computer, it’s a tablet, it’s any kind of care that’s provided outside of the three-dimensional benefits that we currently have.
So will virtual care ever replace in-person visits? Dr. Meltzer says no, but more will happen.
