Contact: David Santoriello, Public Relations Representative, MerckManuals.com at 908-277-4069
Kenilworth, N.J., September 1, 2021 – Merck Manuals, a comprehensive online medical reference, has updated its section on “Making the Most of a Healthcare Visit” with a timely discussion about using telemedicine.
A recurring point made in the expanded essay is that with all healthcare visits, preparation is critical to making them productive. In the case of telemedicine sessions, simple checks include making sure your internet access is functioning, reviewing the latest information in your online patient portal, and uploading relevant images.
“The rise of telemedicine has transformed the healthcare arena, and our new content on the subject reflects these developments,” said Melissa Adams, director of publishing for Merck Manuals. “While there may be no substitute for an in-person office visit with a clinician, telemedicine clearly serves as a beneficial supplement to traditional patient care.”
In fact, a survey of U.S. patients taken this summer by the Harris Poll found that72 percent of respondents said that it is important that healthcare providers offer both in-person and telehealth services.
What We Have Learned
The necessities of the pandemic have demonstrated that telemedicine is doable for a larger portion of the population than may have been originally thought.
Those who may not have deemed themselves technologically savvy enough to conduct a telemedicine session with their doctor have found new confidence in their ability to do so after months of videoconferencing with friends and family.
Other takeaways about what the pandemic has taught us about telemedicine follow.
Telemedicine improves access to care (for example, for those who don't have reliable transportation, live in rural or remote areas, or have mobility issues).
Telemedicine enhances patient care (for example, by making routine and follow-up visits more convenient).
It is family friendly (parents need not arrange for childcare).
It can improve workplace productivity for both doctors and patients (by reducing the number of appointment cancellations and no-show patients, as well as decreasing the time patients take away from their work day).
It eliminates waiting room time (a consistent complaint among patients).
Telemedicine supports broad public health goals (such as mitigating the spread of infectious diseases and providing expanded options for chronic disease management).
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About Merck
For 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.