Published by : Dec 27 2022 Posted by : NVIH
Written by Amara Carver
Many parents view telemedicine as an essential service for their children, even if they can now visit hospitals and clinics safely. A survey by Nemours Children’s Health and Amwell reveals that more than 60% of parents want to continue using online pediatric services in the future, including about 30% of parents who haven’t even used telehealth in the past. Telehealth use has skyrocketed in the past few years because it allows patients to receive quality healthcare services from the comforts of their homes.
However, telemedicine has greater benefits aside from being convenient. Here are the following advantages that telemedicine can provide to pediatric patients:
Though it’s easy for some families to go to the hospital, not everyone has a car or access to reliable forms of transportation. These forms of transportation are also an additional expense for many families, which is why it’s critical to have accessible telemedicine services.
Experts from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Colorado Anschultz Medical Campus explain that telehealth is essential for families who want to get quality care at a reduced level of family burden. After all, many parents have to balance their careers with their family time. Consequently, they would benefit greatly from the reduced time, costs, and travel burden that telemedicine could bring.
The convenience of telehealth is quite valuable in the US, especially since multiple hospitals and clinics are experiencing a staff shortage. However, this accessibility is even more significant for families who experience racism and discrimination in healthcare facilities.
Racism is one of the healthcare social issues listed by Maryville University due to the racist policies and ethnic biases that are present in the healthcare system. Studies have shown that the medical concerns of non-white Americans are often not taken seriously, which is why it’s critical for Black, Latino, and Native Americans to find providers coming from the same race. Through the convenience of telemedicine, Americans of different races can access a wider pool of providers and find professionals who can give them the best care possible.
Telemedicine is also an essential service for young people who struggle with their mental health. The CDC reports that about one in six young Americans developed a suicide plan in 2019, putting mental health services in demand.
To treat these mental health conditions, our article on Mental Health Awareness emphasizes that kids need treatments that will be right for their specific case. For instance, they may benefit from virtual talk therapy, in which they will have one-on-one or group sessions with a mental health professional who can help them manage their emotions. By keeping these mental health services accessible, kids can be diagnosed and treated at a faster rate.
Children with special needs can also experience greater equity through telemedicine services. In-person appointments can be difficult and even unsafe for kids with special needs, which is why it’s advantageous for them to have access to virtual healthcare services.
To illustrate, the Health Resources and Services Administration explains that kids with special needs may feel more relaxed with virtual health visits because they are more comfortable in familiar surroundings compared to the doctor’s office. It’s also much safer for families to attend virtual visits because they can reduce germ exposure for kids with weaker immune systems. As a result, parents won’t need to worry about the comfort and safety of their kids due to telemedicine services.
Kids have varied medical needs that telemedicine can address. Through this accessible service, parents will find it easier to get accessible and appropriate medical services for their children.
