Hospitals across the United States are once again setting aside their elective surgeries as COVID makes another surge across the globe. As this plays out, many hospitals are returning to the early days of the pandemic when such procedures were canceled and postponed to ensure health systems could maintain their employee resources and hospitals took steps to reduce the spread of the virus.
A cardiology pilot program issues Veterans VA equipment such as Apple iPads, blood pressure monitors, scales, pulse oximeters, thermometers and stethoscopes. The equipment enables Veterans to send vital signs to their VA care team from anywhere in the country.
Despite telehealth's promise, we are already seeing unintended consequences for patients, clinicians, and society. Across specialties, we know that the technology can exacerbate disparities in access for vulnerable populations in the U.S. including racial and ethnic minorities, non-English speakers, the elderly, those with low incomes, and others.
Just before the close of their high-profile merger, Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC) and Livongo Health each reported blockbuster results for their respective third quarters. This marked the third consecutive quarter of accelerating revenue growth for each company. Teladoc and Livongo also share a strategy of investing heavily in the future and foregoing current profits to drive future growth.
Telehealth has taken off. Spurred by the pandemic, many doctors in the U.S. now offer online appointments, and many patients are familiar with getting live medical advice over the internet. Given the obvious benefits, many experts have concluded that telehealth is here to stay. “It’s taken this crisis to push us to a new frontier,” said Seema Verma, administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “But there’s absolutely no going back.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, you can still visit your doctor for essential health care. But if you want to avoid crowded waiting rooms, the easiest way is to chat with a doctor online.