Peter Alperin, MD

COVID-19 has catapulted medicine into a new, virtual world. Although telemedicine has been around for years, it has quickly transitioned from a “nice-to-have” to a necessity. Today, physicians are relying on telemedicine to connect with their patients, provide consultation, and properly diagnose and triage patient ailments. But what happens when the pandemic comes to an end? Is telemedicine a flash in the proverbial healthcare pan or is it here to stay?

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From my own experience as a practicing physician, I see five primary reasons why telemedicine will continue to gain adoption among my colleagues and become a staple of modern-day patient care.

: It has become clear that, when given the option, patients often prefer virtual visits with their doctors. It’s convenient and delivers quicker access to their care provider. In fact, according to a 

, telemedicine, by a clear margin, has fast become patients’ preferred approach when compared to a traditional office visit. As doctors look for ways to refine and improve the patient experience, telemedicine will represent a critical part of the mix to keep aligned with this growing trend and patient preference.

 There’s no question that telemedicine is highly convenient for doctors and patients alike. It affords physicians the flexibility to more effectively manage their patient schedule and requires a smaller time commitment from patients since they can attend the appointment from home. For patients, telemedicine eliminates wasted 

 to and from the Doctor’s office. And it allows doctors to spend more time diagnosing and treating patients. Moreover, telehealth allows physicians to maximize their time and focus on more office visits in a day without sacrificing the quality of care.

: The pace of innovation in healthcare is quickening and the pandemic is only accelerating this trend. As digital health companies continue to put their efforts towards improving their tools and offerings, we can expect to see further advances in virtual care products. With innovative features and increased functionality that incorporate physician feedback, these tools will increasingly be a viable option for more types of healthcare appointments long after the pandemic subsides.

: While the billing process for telemedicine remains somewhat uncertain for some providers, chances are that insurance companies will be forced to adapt to the growing demand for these appointments and reimburse accordingly. Healthcare organizations will likely begin establishing permanent telemedicine services for patients who reside in rural areas or who simply prefer to receive virtual care. Telemedicine benefits have already been 

 beyond COVID-19 for Medicare beneficiaries, so the bulk of other insurance companies are likely to follow suit.

 Access to healthcare is not evenly distributed across the United States For those in rural and underserved communities the nearest clinic may be hours away. Prior to the pandemic, telemedicine technology required patients to have access to a high-speed internet connection. Unfortunately, 

 still exist in broadband Internet access based on age, income, education, and race. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven innovation in 

 and patients today can now see their doctor with 

; Thankfully, since most Black, Hispanic and underserved Americans own 

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We are already seeing the benefits of telemedicine for patients and doctors, and that alone is helping shape the future of medical care delivery. The question isn't 

 telemedicine is here to stay but rather 

 the technology will continue to evolve and how ubiquitous it will become across the medical community.

Peter Alperin, MD, is vice president at 

, the professional medical network with more than 70 percent of all U.S. physicians as members. He is also a staff physician at the 

San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Articles

Telemedicine is more than a splash in the proverbial healthcare pan.

5 reasons why telemedicine is here to stay long after the pandemic 

Measles is one of the most contagious infections. So far in 2019, there have been 

 of the measles in the United States. This is the highest rate of measles the country has seen in 25 years since the measles were 

Why then, after so many years, is measles making a comeback? This year’s initial cases have been traced to travelers who brought the disease back from 

other countries experiencing large outbreaks

. The additional wave of cases can be attributed to a variety of factors that have been 

Clinicians must remain resilient and do all they can to keep vaccination rates high and educate the public. One more vaccinated patient is one fewer who might catch the illness and further perpetuate an outbreak.

Once a neighborhood, school or community reaches a high concentration of unvaccinated individuals, it is only a matter of time before measles returns - and spreads widely, as has been seen in Washington, New York and Michigan. Physicians and healthcare providers who are at the forefront of care play a key role in impeding the spread of this infectious disease. Here are four ways you can help manage a measles outbreak:

 in the United States receive the measles vaccine. Still, you should ask that patients of all ages be screened. If patients cannot prove that they received proper vaccinations, or they are otherwise unsure of their 

, it's important to order a measles titer (IgG). If their titers are high, they are protected; if they’re low, patients will need another dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Immunity is the No. 1 way to prevent an outbreak.  

 in the air where an infected patient has sneezed or coughed. Encourage patients who have visited hospitals or other high-risk environments to wear masks and try to stay clear of other patients, particularly children, who are most at risk of infection. Even 

 in your practice to share these precautions can make a huge difference. Those with weakened immune systems are far more susceptible to catching an infectious disease. Be mindful of this as you welcome new patients into your facility.

3. Communicate possible outbreaks with patients and visitors 

If you suspect your office has been compromised by an infected patient with a contagious disease, communicate this to all patients and staff as soon as possible. Providing clear, accurate and helpful information is crucial. While you do not want to initiate a sense of panic, it is essential to tell patients what symptoms to look out for, the correct treatment plan and if they need to go to the emergency department.

4. Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of measles

Infectious diseases can present differently on each person. Sometimes, patients don’t “read the textbook.” Since there have been so few cases of measles and other infectious diseases, physicians may not have seen or treated patients with the actual disease before. Not every physician is an expert in dermatology and may not understand 

 that are associated with with an illness such as measles. So, make sure you are aware of the ways diseases can present on all skin types and age groups.

The number of measles cases continue to rise in the United States and currently shows no sign of abating, despite the variety of public health official and local government efforts. It is more critical than ever to raise awareness about the dangers of measles and other infectious diseases.

Encourage patients, local health organizations and community members to do all they can to reduce the instances of new infections. We must all do our part to educate and inform those around us on the importance of vaccination and how effective the MMR vaccine has been for the last 50-plus years.

Measles outbreak toolkit for healthcare providers

, the professional medical network with more than 70 percent of all U.S. physicians as members. He is also a staff physician at the 

Four ways you can communicate the severity of the measles outbreak to your patients and protect your staff.