Telemedicine has been used for decades to improve access to care while simultaneously cutting costs. It holds real potential for reducing an injured employee’s time away from work while increasing the speed in which an injury can be evaluated. Convenient access to healthcare services both during and after the current COVID-19 pandemic is essential in order to evaluate and return an injured worker to the workplace in the shortest amount of time possible.
Benefits of Telemedicine in the Workplace
In this ever-changing and cost-laden environment, employers need to find new ways to manage their employees health while also improving productivity. When an employee is injured on the job, telemedicine can be used to educate, evaluate, motivate, and provide treatment in ways that will save the employer money while increasing worker compliance and accelerating their return to work.
Some other benefits of telemedicine in the workplace include:
- Immediate injury documentation and accurate reporting
- Improved return to work outcomes
- Improved communication between employers, physicians, and physical therapists
- Faster and lower cost of medical treatment
- Reduces treatment, travel, wait, and time off work expenses
- Improves employee compliance and patient experience
When Telemedicine Can’t Be Used
It is important to understand that the use of telemedicine is not appropriate in life-threatening situations. In the event of a true emergency involving the risk of loss of life or limb, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or uncontrollable bleeding, immediately call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
When an employee becomes ill or is injured on the job, it can be difficult to get to and from their medical appointments. Telemedicine offers secure video-conferencing technology which improves patient access to health care while also helping employers control costs. It is imperative for employers to help sick and injured employees receive the medical care that they need to recover in an appropriate and timely manner so that they can return to work as quickly as possible.
Your employees are your most important asset, and our teams at Trinity Urgent Care in Stockton and Elk Grove are here to support your workforce, prevent and treat injury, and help establish a healthy work environment. We offer Telemedicine appointments, consultations, and services in order to continue to provide excellent medical care during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Telemedicine appointments are available from 9 am - 9 pm daily. Please visit our website at https://www.urgentcaretrinity.com/ for more information.