Almost half of the Australians (49.9%) had at least one chronic condition. The most common chronic conditions are mental health conditions, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, back problems, arthritis, asthma, and osteoporosis.

Managing these conditions requires constant vigilance and can often feel like an uphill battle as it requires frequent doctor visits and long waits in the waiting room, which usually overwhelms patients. In this fast-paced world, when everything has revolutionized, telehealth has emerged as an incredible solution for remote patient monitoring and chronic disease management.

In this blog, we will discuss the top 5 benefits of telehealth for patients in chronic disease management.

Benefits of Telehealth for Chronic Disease Management

Following are the benefits of telemedicine for virtual chronic care management discussed;

1. Breaking Down Distance Barriers

In Australia, over 7 million people live in rural or remote areas with limited access to specialists. It is challenging for patients with chronic diseases to manage their health.

Telehealth has proved to be very helpful as it bridges this gap by enabling virtual chronic care management with healthcare providers, reducing frequent travel burdens, endless paperwork, and wait times.

According to a 2020 study published in the Internal Medicine Journal, patients using telehealth for chronic neurological conditions avoided an average of 937 km.

“Telehealth is a game-changer for many people, and we must ensure it is accessible for all”, RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said.

2. Enhanced Patient Engagement and Self- Care Management

According to research, most patients are highly satisfied with telemedicine (Le & Aggarwal, 2020). Telehealth also empowers patients to take control of their health through digital tools like wearable devices, symptom-tracking apps, and virtual care plans.

Real-time data sharing with clinicians enables personalized adjustments to treatment for chronic conditions like heart failure.

Patients can easily communicate with their healthcare providers through telehealth platforms, improving trust and patient-provider relationships.

3. Cost-Effective and Time Saving

Chronic disease management is expensive, with frequent hospital readmissions and travel costs. Telehealth can reduce these expenses by preventing health system-funded travel and minimizing the need for expensive procedures or specialist follow-ups.

A 2020 study in the Internal Medicine Journal found that telehealth follow-up consultations for patients with chronic neurological conditions saved each participant an average of $550 in travel costs. Telemedicine also reduces healthcare costs by minimizing hospitalizations and emergency visits.

A 12-month trial for COPD and diabetes patients showed telehealth interventions improved self-management and quality of life, aligning with Australia’s focus on cost-effective, patient-centred care (Mudiyanselage et al., 2023). Medicare-subsidized telehealth services during COVID-19 supported 1.5 million patients.

Telemedicine saves time, as patients do not have to travel and clear up their whole day schedule to visit the doctor. It allows patients to schedule the time that suits them from the comfort of their home.

4. Timely Interventions

Remote patient monitoring tools for chronic disease management (e.g., blood glucose or blood pressure apps) allow clinicians to detect worsening symptoms early. For example, if blood sugar spikes, remote tools like Bluetooth glucometers or CGMs send data to clinicians instantly. Algorithms detects patterns and suggest insulin adjustments, which providers review and change during virtual chat.

5. Seamless Care Coordination

Telemedicine has enhanced care coordination by enabling seamless communication between GPs, specialists, and other allied health professionals since healthcare providers can communicate more effectively by using digital platforms for case discussions, joint consultations, and treatment planning.

Telehealth has also allowed healthcare providers to monitor patient’s medication effectively and efficiently. The goal is to ensure patients receive comprehensive, timely, and well-organized care.

Final Note

Telehealth is reshaping chronic disease management in Australia by improving access, engagement, cost-efficiency, and care coordination. It bridges gaps in care while fostering hope and resilience.

It’s not about replacing human connection; it’s about amplifying it. Whether you’re a clinician or a patient, telehealth offers quality care that is always within reach, no matter where you live.

Are you tired of visiting hospitals? Telehealth may be the ideal option for people who wish to make their treatment for chronic diseases as convenient as possible.

If you still have any queries, book a telehealth appointment with us.

References:

1. Health conditions prevalence. (2022). Australian Bureau of Statistics.
2. newsGP – Rural Health Snapshot Reveals ‘Shameful Failure,’ n.d.
3. Le, S., & Aggarwal, A. (2020). The application of telehealth to remote and rural Australians with chronic neurological conditions. Internal Medicine Journal, 51(7), 1043–1048.
4. Mudiyanselage, S. B., Stevens, J., Toscano, J., Kotowicz, M. A., Steinfort, C. L., Hayles, R., & Watts, J. J. (2023). Cost-effectiveness of personalised telehealth intervention for chronic disease management: A pilot randomised controlled trial. PLoS ONE, 18(6), e0286533.
5. Experiences of People With Multimorbidity, n.d.
6. Snoswell, C. L., Taylor, M. L., Comans, T. A., Smith, A. C., Gray, L. C., & Caffery, L. J. (2020). Determining if telehealth can reduce health system costs: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(10), e17298.