My pick is a journal article entitled “COVID-19 Pandemic Health Disparities and Pediatric Health Care-The Promise of Telehealth,” published on December 7, 2020 by the journal of JAMA Pediatrics. According to Menon and Belcher (2020), more than 138 000 U.S. individuals perished of Coronavirus sickness by mid-July 2020. Children up to 14 years accounted for 0.03 percent of the deaths, while others were directly affected by the deaths of their care givers. Access to physical pediatric and mental healthcare services has been greatly impacted by the measures imposed by the governments to mitigate the spread of the virus. This is a discussion post exploring the connection of my article pick to the telehealth technology.
Telehealth is a modern approach used by health practitioners to deliver health. Telehealth technology refers to the use of digital technologies, such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones to manage patients and provide healthcare services remotely. Mostly, these are the devices we use at home, just that some customization is made to systems to fit the healthcare needs. The article written by Menon and Belcher (2020) is relevant to telehealth technology as it explores what can be done to close the gaps in post-COVID-19 physical and mental health care delivery. The article suggests that telehealth could offer solution to healthcare services management. The widespread use of smart devices in the USA, where around 96% of individuals own one. The acceptability of digital devices encourages the rise and growth of telehealth technology (Menon and Belcher, 2020). Telehealth, with its flexible platforms and widespread accessibility, may thus aid in the reduction of pediatric health inequities.
According to the article, prior to COVID-19 epidemic, constraints of telehealth access necessitated patients from rural areas to visit to a medical center (Menon & Belcher, 2020). Patients used to receive telehealth services at home under certain conditions, such as home diagnosis or therapy, when a patient is suffering from drugs use disorder or mental problems. As the epidemic continues, the Section 1135 waiver enabled patients to enjoy telemedicine at the comfort of their homes. The approval to provide home-based healthcare services is a privilege and an advantage to many health practitioners. The new waiver increased the number of healthcare practitioners who can now offer telehealth services. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance are increasingly covering speech, physical, and occupational therapy services (Menon & Belcher, 2020). Section 1135 waiver allowed for changes in medicare and medicaid regulations, which offered a chance to provide telehealth services that were previously unavailable.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the adaption and acceptance of telehealth technology. Medical practitioners can nowadays monitor patients’ health statuses without physically meeting them. The article relates to the implementation of telehealth technology in U.S. healthcare industry. The evaluation of telehealth by the authors evidently shows the advantages of using the technical approach, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Telehealth may provide closer monitoring and communication with parents of children with complex medical concerns. Telehealth may assist children, teens, and families in both rural and urban areas, as well as children who are underprivileged, disabled, or have mental health difficulties. By lowering time away from work and distance traveled for health treatment, telehealth has the potential to reduce stress. The advancements in technology will continue to develop the health care industry with better and improved technologies expected.
Reference
Menon, D. U. & Belcher, H. M. E. (2020). COVID-19 Pandemic health disparities and pediatric health care-the promise of telehealth. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(4), 345-346. Web.
