For most parents, the well-being of their child is their chief concern 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So when their child does fall ill, mothers and fathers will stop at nothing until their child is feeling better. In an age where just about any service can be summoned instantly via a smartphone, moms are demanding a modern solution to the inconvenient nature of a traditional doctor's visit.
In a recent study conducted by LiveHealth Online, a live-video telemedicine platform started by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, nearly 3/4ths (71%) of the moms surveyed "reported losing more than two hours from the work/school day due to taking their child for a doctor visit." This unnecessary strain can result in foregone appointments and added stress at work.
As a corollary, the appeal of telemedicine to moms is increasing dramatically. The study found that "moms are constantly looking for better and easier ways to manage their family’s health, with all agreeing (100%) that having round the clock access to a doctor would be helpful." Anthem’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Bowers affirmed this emerging need, stating, “Research shows that busy working moms can find it challenging to see a doctor when they need to address a non-emergency health issue.” Telemedicine appears poised to offer relief.
However, there is a trade-off. Most instant telemedicine services like LiveHealth Online connect patients with a random provider that has never seen the patient before and is unlikely to see them again. The care is quick but fragmented.
Some telemedicine services, like HealthLens, offer a compromise. Patients can send photos and information about their concerns to their own family physician, pediatrician, or dermatologist and expect a diagnosis and treatment plan within 48 hours. Most providers typically respond within 4-8 hours so same-day care is uncommon.
Regardless of whether they choose store-and-forward or live-interactive telemedicine, moms will no longer have to sacrifice 2+ hours of their day to have their child evaluated by a doctor.
Being a parent is not an easy job, telemedicine can help.
