Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy, a 503a compounding pharmacy based in Nicholasville, Kentucky, has received certification as a LegitScript healthcare merchant following successful completion of LegitScript’s application process assessing Tailor Made Compounding’s compliance with federal and state laws. In the following article, Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy discusses whether telehealth will continue to grow or if it will fade back to pre-pandemic levels in the coming years. And, if it does continue to grow, what might that look like?
In the wake of Covid-19, many systems have had to evolve. One of the more prominent such fields has been the healthcare system, which has had to adapt quickly and immensely in order to adequately serve the populace.
Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy in Nicholasville, Kentucky notes that a large portion of the healthcare system has shifted to telehealth solutions. While telehealth has existed in some forms for many years, it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that it saw widespread mainstream acceptance.
How Much Has Telehealth Grown
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, telehealth was far more uncommon. Typically, it was used for those in rural areas or similar places without easy access to in-person healthcare. Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy in Nicholasville, Kentucky explains that, during the pandemic, healthcare programs like Medicare loosened their restrictions surrounding telehealth access.
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found the amount of individuals using telehealth for at least one service increased by up to 15 times in 2020 when compared to the previous year. In each of the five states they evaluated, the number of Medicaid beneficiaries using telehealth services skyrocketed to previously unseen numbers.
For example, in California, the percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries using telehealth for at least one service was 2.5% between March 2019 and February 2020. Between March 2020 and February 2021, that rose to 41.4%.
In addition to increased use, Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy in Nicholasville, Kentucky reports that more and more professionals have been writing about telehealth services recently. The Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare saw an increase in submissions soon after the pandemic began. In 2021 they received 1055 submissions compared to the 954 in 2020.
Telehealth’s Accessibility Pros and Cons
As remote health services become more mainstream, there are both benefits and drawbacks in terms of accessibility. If telehealth services are to become more common, the drawbacks will need to be addressed.
Ironically, Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy notes that telehealth services can provide either more or less accessibility. On the one hand, the elderly will be able to receive healthcare services without the stress of leaving their homes or finding transportation. This also benefits disabled individuals who might find it difficult to physically show up to a healthcare location. In addition, individuals who are hesitant to access traditional healthcare services, which may include people battling addition or mental health issues, may be more inclined to see a telehealth provider due to the privacy it affords.
Additionally, there is the sheer convenience of telehealth services to consider, as one does not have to drive or arrange transport to a doctor’s office or otherwise – with the increase in work-from-home options, telehealth has been a lifesaver for many.
On the other hand, though, telehealth requires access to quality internet, camera-enabled devices, and the space to conduct a private meeting. If an individual lacks any one of these requirements, telehealth becomes near impossible.
Not to mention the folks who might have these but lack the capability to make use of them. For example, those who may not understand computer use, how to log on, etc.
What Telehealth May Look Like in the Future
That being said, Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy in Nicholasville, Kentucky explains that these issues could be resolved in the future. If telehealth becomes further utilized as a priority option, accessibility will certainly be expanded. This could be the case both for the basic requirements listed above and for further limitations of current telehealth.
Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy in Nicholasville, Kentucky remarks that one of the ways that telehealth is currently being advanced is through a secure internet connection-enabled room called an H3 Cube. These cubes would allow individuals to ensure their protected privacy while also allowing the doctor to make use of various diagnostic devices.
While these H3 Cubes could lessen the need for travel to see faraway specialists, they cannot yet be set up in private homes. Currently, they still require an individual to leave their home. Other potential improvements to telehealth could eventually solve this issue.
New devices could be designed to monitor patients in real time at home. Devices in the shape of jewelry, furniture, or even integrated into the home itself. These devices would enable doctors to have a more accurate representation of an individual’s health at all times.
Final thoughts
Tailor Made Compounding pharmacy in Nicholasville, Kentucky says that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been felt in nearly every aspect of our society. It is clear that with the increase in the popularity of telehealth, we will continue to feel this impact for some time to come.
How exactly telehealth will evolve is difficult to ascertain, but what is certain is the potential for growth. Telehealth as it currently stands has its limitations, and remains somewhat exclusive. The hope and expectation is that quality healthcare, whether remote or in-person, continues to become more accessible soon.
Tailor Made Compounding is a 503A compounding pharmacy located in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The Pharmacy is licensed in 46 states and holds LegitScript certification and NABP accreditation. Tailor Made prides itself on offering healthcare practitioners and patients high-quality, custom compounded formulations and outstanding customer service. Tailor Made’s experienced pharmacy team works closely with patients and healthcare practitioners to provide innovative solutions for health and wellness. The Pharmacy operates out of its 20,000 square foot compounding facility, which is designed to exceed current United States Pharmacopeia guidelines.
