.9 Telehealth is a method that allows patients to receive medical services online without having to visit healthcare facilities such as hospitals or ophthalmologists. Patients can consult with healthcare providers remotely using electronic devices like smartphones or PCs. Sometimes, services can be accessed using only voice calls via mobile phones. It is Telemedicine in the United States had already been practiced for decades before the pandemic, but the use of telehealth and remote healthcare services rapidly increased as healthcare providers sought to deliver medical services to patients during the pandemic. Evidence suggests that this method of telemedicine can improve the quality of patient care, reduce hospital readmission rates, and lower costs for both healthcare providers and patients.In addition to physical health management, telehealth can also be used for mental health care. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many people experienced not only physical damage but also mental distress due to factors such as being unable to leave their homes for extended When the pandemic began, the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telemedicine surged dramatically, increasing from around 5 million to over 53 million. Additionally, data shows that about 80% of doctors plan to continue using telemedicine in the future. According to data collected by the USA FACTS website from April 2021, to August 2022, telehealth usage saw a significant increase during the pandemic, and this high level of usage has persisted even after the pandemic subsided. The growing demand for telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial changes in healthcare policies by governments and insurance companies worldwide. Specifically, the restrictions on telehealth usage within the U.S. Medicare program were relaxed, allowing patients to receive services from their homes. Even after the pandemic, telehealth has become a standard method for regularly monitoring patients’ conditions, such as checking for issues following hospital discharge. According to data from possible to communicate with healthcare professionals through video chats or calls, and even exchange messages via text. Telehealth is useful for addressing concerns or seeking advice about one’s health condition, but it also allows healthcare providers to regularly monitor patients’ conditions, such as by tracking blood sugar levels.periods, losing their jobs, and the sudden inability to carry out their daily routines. As a result, many suffered from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. However, during the pandemic, more than 20% of adults who felt their mental health was deteriorating did not receive counseling or care. This is where telehealth plays a particularly important role. Some private insurance companies and Medicaid expanded their coverage for telehealth services related to mental health care and medication management, removing previous restrictions on coverage. In this way, telehealth became a crucial alternative method for delivering necessary care when in-person medical services were difficult to access due to the pandemic, as reported by Medicaid programs in many states.McKinsey cited on the Wheel website, telehealth usage has increased by about 38 times compared to pre-pandemic levels, and it is expected to remain an essential part of healthcare going forward. Given these developments, telehealth is likely to continue playing a crucial role in the healthcare system beyond 2023. With various factors, such as work-related stress, mental and physical fatigue, and the retirement of clinical professionals, a shortage of up to 122,000 doctors is anticipated over the next decade. Telehealth is expected to become increasingly vital in addressing these challenges.Mone Kanzawa University at Albany What is Telehealth? The Rapid Growth of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic Telemedicine in the Post-Pandemic EraTelehealth in the United States
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