There are many advantages to conducting healthcare appointments via video call. For one, it’s a more personal experience for the patient and provider, allowing both parties to better understand the care that needs to be provided. It also allows providers to offer real-time video feedback to their patients, helping them better understand any medical advice they may receive.
This post will discuss the additional advantages of telehealth video calls over traditional phone calls and how to improve the virtual experience for patients.
Telehealth Over the Phone vs. Video Calls
A study published by the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine established that telephone visits actually account for a large proportion of telehealth, despite the growing popularity of videoconferencing. However, video visits offer comparatively more advantages to patient-provider interaction than telephone visits.
Perhaps most interestingly, this study has shown that providers prefer video visits over phone calls due to a deeper understanding of the patient’s health concerns. For instance, the provider can see and assess the patient’s condition by picking up on their nonverbal cues, and even viewing their environment. Furthermore, video encounters enable providers to build rapport with their patients more effectively, as they can better understand their needs and concerns.
Making the Move from Telehealth Phone Calls to Video Visits
Moving from telehealth phone calls to video visits is a critical step in providing optimal telehealth care. Research suggests that patient satisfaction can be associated with the modality of telehealth. As such, a good telehealth experience with videoconferencing will encourage patients to continue using that method.
Video encounters offer an interactive experience that enables physicians to provide visual cues, not just verbal ones. Depending on the telehealth service used, a video visit may include the ability to securely exchange E-Documents with patient data before or after a session, making virtual healthcare much more efficient and convenient for providers and patients.
Here are some ways to improve the telehealth video experience for patients that are hesitant to use this method:
- Clearly inform the patient what to expect during their virtual encounter. Let them know how their invitation will be sent, or what they’ll need to prepare in advance.
- Be encouraging and reassure patients that telehealth is meant to be easy and convenient. Emphasize that telehealth videoconferencing takes a short time to learn.
- If possible, offer a brief test session in advance, especially for a first-time encounter. Hands-on training can help prepare patients who want to use telehealth at your practice, but are unsure how to navigate the features.
SecureVideo: Effortless Telehealth for Better Virtual Care
SecureVideo is a user-friendly telehealth platform that provides an effortless, secure, and reliable way to conduct online video appointments. It’s designed to provide the best care for patients and providers, allowing for seamless communication between both parties. Offering greater functionality and a modernized method of rending care compared to phone appointments, SecureVideo helps take the stress out of telehealth for both patients and providers.
Contact SecureVideo today to learn more about how our platform can help you improve the virtual experience for your patients.