Why Should You Choose A Telehealth Provider?
Pre-2020, virtual healthcare appointments were few and far between. Now, four years later, it’s the norm. Instead of waiting hours at the urgent care to get a cough checked out, you can log on to Zoom and see a provider that way. Telehealth, or telemedicine visits, make life much more convenient for your typical doctor appointments and visits to a specialist.
Telehealth visits also give you a choice of how you want to receive care, and between March and August 2021, a lot of people chose to continue seeing their doctors virtually. According to a study by KFF, one in three visits were via telehealth. But why? What makes telehealth so popular? Is it the right choice for you?
Benefits of Choosing a Telehealth Provider
While most of the research focuses on how telehealth allowed the medical field to keep operating when the rest of the world stopped, it’s much more than that. Here are other benefits of choosing a telehealth provider, especially for mental health.
It Increases Accessibility.
Accessibility is a benefit of telehealth because it breaks down barriers that make seeing a mental health provider more difficult. Regardless of your location, you can connect with mental health professionals, ensuring you have access to medical expertise even if you live in a remote or underserved area. People with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other conditions that make it difficult to physically go to an office also benefit from telehealth.
It Increases Motivation.
The convenience of telehealth can increase your motivation to prioritize your health. Because it’s so easy to schedule virtual appointments, the reduced time commitment encourages most people to proactively take care of their mental health – encouraging them to address health concerns early, adopt healthier lifestyles, and engage in ongoing health monitoring. All these things contribute to better long-term mental health outcomes (and your overall well-being!).
It’s Effective.
You might have heard telehealth isn’t as effective as seeing a mental health provider in person. Dozens of studies have proved this statement wrong, showing that telehealth visits are just as effective as in-person. You can get an adequate diagnosis and treatment by having virtual psychiatric assessments, where the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) will review your medical history and discuss your symptoms.
Ready to Find a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner That’s Right For You?
At Balance Psychiatric Services, we know how beneficial telehealth can be. Since our entire practice is virtual, each practitioner uses a HIPAA-compliant video platform to conduct their visits. So, all you’ll need is a device that can connect to the internet, a strong wifi signal, and a quiet, private environment.
Explore the rest of our website to learn more about our telehealth physical and mental health services.