Since becoming a permanent fixture in healthcare, telehealth adoption among patients has seen explosive growth. Studies show that at least 4 out of 5 people have used telemedicine at some point in their lives. Another study found that more than half of patients believe video conferencing provides better quality of care. With this major shift toward virtual healthcare, how can healthcare organizations continue to optimize the patient experience virtually?
Adopting a telehealth platform within your practice is an investment in enhancing the patient experience and ensuring better access to care. However, not all telehealth platforms offer the robust features required to meet healthcare demands and deliver exceptional care. Here are some common signs that it’s time to switch to a new telehealth platform:
Common Limitations of Telehealth Platforms
Lack of Patient Adoption or Engagement
One of the greatest challenges telehealth platforms face is encouraging patient adoption and engagement. Some patients might lack the technical skills or feel uneasy about using a new technology. Educating patients on the ease, benefits, and improved access to care that telehealth provides can make a big difference. Providers should also survey patients regularly to identify specific barriers and tailor their telehealth offerings to meet these needs, making healthcare more accessible and enjoyable.
Technology and Infrastructure Challenges
When technology gets in the way of care delivery, it’s a clear sign of limitations in telehealth. A telehealth platform should integrate seamlessly with electronic health records (EHR) to create a connected continuum of care. The platform should also feature a user-friendly interface, with both patients and providers in mind. By addressing these needs, healthcare organizations can ensure that neither technical difficulties nor poor design detracts from the patient experience.
Data Privacy and Security Concerns
Safeguarding sensitive health information is paramount when it comes to virtual care delivery. Security-related limitations of telehealth, like insufficient encryption or lack of multi-factor authentication, can damage trust with providers. For this reason, telehealth platforms must offer comprehensive data protection, end-to-end encryption, and third-party certifications. A secure platform builds patient confidence and ensures a secure environment for sharing health information.
Language Barriers
Language can be a major limitation of telehealth, impacting equity in healthcare access and quality of care. Without adequate language support, patients might struggle to communicate effectively during virtual visits, whether they’re discussing symptoms or trying to decipher key health information. The ideal telehealth platform should offer real-time interpreter services for multiple languages, including ASL, ensuring all patients feel heard and understood.
Poor Customer Support
Patient satisfaction greatly impacts loyalty. Studies reveal that 56% of patients are likely to switch providers after a negative experience. Telehealth platforms should prioritize excellent customer support, offering resources like phone assistance, live chat, and email support. This multi-channel approach ensures that technical issues are quickly resolved, minimizing disruptions in the patient experience and building long-term trust between patients and providers.
Lack of Platform Flexibility
Platform limitations, such as restrictions on participant numbers or inadequate video conferencing options, can disrupt patient care and provider efficiency. For example, slow Wi-Fi should not prevent sessions from continuing seamlessly. Healthcare practices deserve a telehealth platform that adapts to technical challenges, supports alternative engines, and provides robust group session capabilities. Such flexibility ensures providers can offer a reliable and uninterrupted care experience, even in less-than-perfect conditions.
What Happens When You Make the Switch to SecureVideo?
- Reliable Video Conferencing: A fallback engine ensures sessions continue smoothly even during internet disruptions.
- Comprehensive Customer Support: 24/7 live technical support is available via phone, email, and chat to assist patients and providers whenever issues arise.
- Enhanced Features: From group sessions to appointment scheduling, SecureVideo offers a wide range of custom features that support care delivery.
- Improved Scheduling: Virtual Clinic provides advanced scheduling options, including public booking pages, to streamline access to care for patients.
- EHR Integration: SecureVideo integrates with EHR systems to simplify workflows and improve the continuum of care for providers.
- Real-Time Language Solutions: On-demand interpreter services are available in 240+ languages, including ASL, ensuring inclusive and equitable communication.
- Group Sessions: Host sessions with up to 300 participants—ideal for webinars, group therapy, or training—for a versatile telehealth setup.
- Streamlined Access: The one-click engine allows patients to join sessions without navigating complex tools like Zoom.
Upgrade Your Telehealth Platform with SecureVideo
Limitations in your telehealth platform can lead to inconsistent care delivery and unsatisfied patients. But, with the right platform and the right telehealth tools, providing an unparalleled patient experience becomes the new standard at your facility.
With SecureVideo, your practice benefits from a secure, user-friendly telehealth platform. Designed to overcome the limitations of telehealth, our platform ensures that both patients and providers can connect and communicate seamlessly with each session.