Just a few years ago, telehealth seemed like a niche service for rural clients or those with mobility challenges. However, as technology and our devices have improved, telehealth has become an integral tool in a variety of mental health and wellness practices.
Let’s take a closer look at how telehealth can help practitioners maintain relationships, and improve communication, flexibility, and cost savings for clients and themselves.
💡 Jane tip: While this guide touches on Jane’s telehealth offerings, we hope it’s a helpful resource whether or not you intend to offer telehealth using our platform.
What is telehealth and is it the same as Jane’s Online Appointments?
At Jane, we typically refer to our telehealth platform as Jane’s Online Appointments. But because this guide is a more general overview, we’ll use the term “telehealth” throughout.
For anyone new to the term, telehealth encompasses the many ways practitioners use technology to provide virtual services remotely. Typically, this means using videoconferencing, mobile apps, and other technologies to meet with clients online instead of in person.
This allows clients to connect with their providers from their home, workplace, or any private setting with an internet connection. Clients can manage treatment plans, access care, and make appointments virtually under their provider’s guidance—all without the need to visit the clinic in person.
Telehealth has become a core component of modern health and wellness. Its applications range from preventative and specialty care, chronic pain management, mental and behavioural health treatment, rehabilitation, at-home care, and much more. The scope continues to expand as technologies advance and more providers and clients recognize its benefits.
Accessibility and convenience
Probably the most obvious benefit of telehealth is that it eliminates geographical barriers and time constraints when clients have the freedom to see their care providers virtually. This is especially true for:
- Clients in rural or remote areas lacking healthcare services nearby
- Elderly individuals or those with mobility limitations making travel difficult
- Parents with children who can’t find time or childcare to make appointments
- Busy professionals struggling to take time off work for visits
- Clients who require same-day appointments for unforeseen reasons
The convenience of meeting online enables clients to be more proactive about their health and not delay important check-ups or vital communication with providers.
Cost savings for clients and providers
Aside from being accessible, telehealth is also a lot more affordable than in-person visits. Clients can avoid expenses like taking time off work, travel costs, childcare, and lost wages from time spent at appointments.
For providers, telehealth visits are typically lower-cost because they don’t require additional staffing or physical space to meet. The flexibility of virtual visits also helps maximize billable hours and reduce costly no-shows.
Increased client engagement and satisfaction
Telehealth puts clients in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing their health. Being able to connect with providers from the privacy and comfort of their homes or while on the go can feel empowering compared to the sometimes clinical setting of a practitioner’s office.
Easy-to-use tools like client portals and apps also help people stay more engaged with things like viewing test results, scheduling visits, and tracking personal health data. Plus, automated reminders can nudge clients to book routine appointments they may otherwise delay or overlook.
Overall, the more engaged your clients are, the more effective you will be in helping them work toward their health and wellness goals. And when you provide clients with intuitive, easy-to-use telehealth options, they feel more connected to that journey.
Telehealth benefits for practitioners
The benefits for healthcare providers are just as significant as those for clients:
- Flexible scheduling and appointment times to improve work-life balance
- Extending geographic reach to see clients across larger areas
- More efficient care by cutting down travel times
- Ability to provide off-hours care or follow-ups through video visits
- Integrations with existing platforms like EHR and practice management systems
- New revenue streams through virtual care offerings
Nothing’s perfect: Overcoming potential challenges
As impactful as it is, telehealth has its limitations:
- It doesn’t completely replace the value, comfort, and care clients get from an in-person appointment with their practitioner.
- Not everyone is going to have access to high-speed internet
- Some aspects of healthcare simply can’t be accomplished virtually without an in-person visit to your clinic.
How can Jane help?
All of Jane’s pricing plans include 1:1 Online Appointments, so clinics and practices of all sizes and disciplines can seamlessly fold virtual care into their suite of services.
> Learn more about getting started with 1:1 Online Appointments
For practitioners who meet with groups of clients like couples or families, Online Appointments for Groups is an optional add-on. It’s available for an additional $15 per practitioner, per month It’s compatible with all plans and can be added to your subscription and canceled at any time.
> Learn more about getting started with Online Appointments for Groups
If you’re not currently using Jane but want to see if we’d be a good fit for your practice, you can book a demo with us. We’d be happy to walk you through our Online Appointments offerings or any other area of Jane that you’re curious about.