The health sector is changing thanks to technology. Today, you don’t need to visit the hospital for a therapy appointment. Instead, you can have a session in the comfort of your home. The services that offer virtual appointments are known as telehealth in the healthcare sector.
These services offer many benefits to reduce the problems that hinder patients from getting the care they need. However, telehealth still has some disadvantages associated with it. The following are the pros and cons of telehealth.
Pros
Increased Accessibility
Telehealth services increase the accessibility to therapy. If you live in rural areas, it may be difficult to access therapy, particularly if no mental health practices are near you. However, you can access these services through telehealth as long as you have the internet.
Without accessibility, people living in rural areas will overlook the need for therapy sessions due to lack of access. Also, telehealth offers you an easy, stress-free opportunity to start your therapy journey. If you want to have a telehealth therapy session, ensure you choose the right therapist. They have a list of the best online therapy providers for various issues such as relationships, LGBTQ, teen counseling, among others.
Convenience and Flexibility
Telehealth allows you to attend therapy sessions from the comfort of your home. You can also book your session at the most convenient time for you. The freedom around scheduling allows you to squeeze a therapy session no matter how busy your schedule is. You do not have to spend your time traveling for a therapy session with your therapist, not to forget the time you spend waiting for your turn. Generally, telehealth offers patients a more streamlined appointment approach, in which the time you spend talking with a therapist is the only time you need to sacrifice.
Reduces Costs
Telehealth cuts the cost for everyone. The cost of telehealth sessions is less than in-person care. Most online therapy sessions will cost about $40 to $50, which is almost four times lower than the average cost of in-person sessions. In addition, the price of in-person goes beyond what the client owes since visiting the doctor costs you time and fuel.
Private Experience
If you don’t like visiting a therapist because of privacy, for instance, meeting someone who knows you while waiting for your session, telehealth suits you. Patients using this telehealth service feel secure knowing that their sessions are 100% private and confidential. You need to know that privacy laws and security regulations bind online and in-person therapy sessions.
Therefore, that extra layer of privacy offered by teletherapy is knowing that you will not attend a session in a public office building. Instead, you will have a session in the privacy of your home. In addition, it is normal for a patient to feel anxious while in the waiting room of a therapist’s office. Therefore, having a chance to have an online session from your home eliminates anxiety, and as a result, you get a satisfying therapy experience.
Reduces Spread of Illness
Telehealth service helps reduce the spread of diseases such as Coronavirus. While visiting a therapist, the patient may pick up new germs and spread illness to other people. But with online therapy, the patient doesn’t have to leave their houses, thus reducing the chances of spreading diseases. You have seen how this is important, especially during these times of COVID-19.
Cons
Insurance May Pay
Although many states need the insurance to pay for online therapy as they would with in-person sessions, this isn’t always the case. So, consult your insurance provider to know your coverage options.
Requires Internet
Telehealth services need the internet, and you can’t have a session without it. To have a smooth session, you need to have an excellent online connection, and most people don’t have this. If there is a technical hitch, the entire session comes to a halt. This can lengthen or even postpone therapy sessions.
Generational Differences
For the young generation, technology is like their second language. So, young people enjoy the convenience technology has to offer. However, this is not the same with the older generations. They experience more challenges with technology since they don’t use it more often. So, this is a barrier for an elderly patient who can benefit from telehealth services.
So, these are the pros and cons of telehealth services for therapy patients. Therefore, if you want to start your therapy journey, consider online therapy rather than in-person. However, ensure that you research before choosing an online therapy provider to get value for your money.
