Student Spectrums

Muaz Shaikh is 10th grade student keenly interested in the fast-paced changes in technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic irreversibly changed the landscape of healthcare and thrust telehealth into the limelight as a conduit to deliver medical care safely and effectively. The initial surge in the use of telehealth was out of sheer necessity; it is now clear that telehealth must become a permanent fixture in our healthcare systems. The transition is not just desirable—it’s critical to healthcare’s future.

Telehealth can bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, especially for those in rural or underserved communities. According to the American Hospital Association, during the pandemic, consultations via telehealth increased by 50%, thus showing the critical role it can play in making care accessible. Imagine a world where a patient in a remote area doesn’t have to spend on travel just to seek an audience with a specialist. That is not only convenient, it is a game-changer.

The economic benefits of telehealth are huge. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research has demonstrated that telehealth interventions save the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars annually. The reduction in the need for physical infrastructure and the minimization of hospital admissions through better chronic disease management are ways through which telehealth divests some of this financial burden from both patients and healthcare systems. We cannot afford to pass up savings of that kind, especially in the present-day economy.

Telehealth is not about convenience; it’s about better patient outcomes. Continuous monitoring of chronic conditions, timely interventions, and personalized care plans, all facilitated through telehealth, lead to better health outcomes. One study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that telehealth greatly improved the management of diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This is healthcare that adapts to the needs of the patient, not the other way around.

However, the road to the permanent adoption of telehealth is laden with regulatory challenges. The temporary policy changes enabling the rise of telehealth during the pandemic must be made permanent. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, took several big steps in this regard, but more and deeper regulatory reforms are required. We need policymakers to acknowledge the value telehealth has brought and make lasting changes that see it integrated into the mainstream of healthcare.

The digital divide is a significant barrier in the adoption of telehealth. Access to good internet and digital literacy is critical for utilizing telehealth. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must continue to invest in developing broadband infrastructure with a specific focus on rural and underdeveloped areas. Educational programs for digital literacy will also empower patients to be able to take full advantage of telehealth services. It is about equity in access to healthcare—an important basic right that we need to protect.

The integration of telehealth into our healthcare systems is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. We have seen its transformative potential during the pandemic, and now is the time to make its place in our healthcare infrastructure solid. This will require a coordinated effort by policymakers, healthcare providers, and the tech industry to overcome the existing barriers and ensure that telehealth becomes a permanent, accessible, and efficient mode of delivering care.

The future of healthcare is in our hands. We must seize this opportunity to build a better, more equitable, efficient, and patient-centered health system by pushing for change. The time for action is now.