There’s no doubt that telemedicine is becoming increasingly important in healthcare. And let’s start at the beginning. With the rise of digital health solutions and the ever-growing demand for more convenient and accessible healthcare, telemedicine is poised to play a major role in the future of healthcare. There are many reasons why telemedicine is so important, but here are just a few:

1. Convenient and accessible healthcare.

With telemedicine, patients can consult with their doctor or other healthcare provider from the comfort of their own home or office, without having to travel to a healthcare facility. This can be a major benefit for those with busy schedules or who live in rural or underserved areas.

2. Improve patient outcomes.

Studies have shown that telemedicine can help to improve patient outcomes, especially when it comes to chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. This is because telemedicine can help to ensure that patients are receiving the care and treatment they need on a regular basis.

3. Reduce healthcare costs.

Telemedicine can also help to reduce healthcare costs by reducing the need for travel and overnight stays in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. In addition, telemedicine can help to improve the efficiency of care by reducing paperwork and administrative tasks.

4. Environmentally friendly.

Telemedicine can also be beneficial for the environment, as it reduces the need for travel, which can lead to fewer emissions of greenhouse gases.

5. Save lives.

Telemedicine can also help to save lives by providing access to care in emergency situations and by enabling early diagnosis and treatment of serious health conditions, that may otherwise get lost in the long and convoluted path to care.

But there’s something else that goes beyond the “boiler plate” platitudes for digital health. The reality is, and most miss this, is that telemedicine the very conduit through which healthcare innovation flows. It’s not just a simple tech to be implemented in a hospital system, but the very proving grounds for new digital health technology. The digital platform of telemedicine is an an electronic vascular system that readily assimilates many viable and powerful tools. The role of AliveCor’s ECG, EKO’s digital stethoscope, Butterfly’s hand-held ultrasound device, and a host of other health tech innovations are perfect tools to advance telemedicine to telemedicine 2.0 and drive real change — as a function of telemedicine adoption and advancement!

And that’s why telemedicine is critical to both healthcare and the digital health movement itself. It’s a fundamental partner in the advancement of tech-drive healthcare and works hand and glove in providing the shortest distance to success.

Digital health and telemedicine are two of the most important aspects of healthcare in the 21st century. Together, they offer the potential for many new technologies and innovations that can improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for patients around the world. It’s short-sighted to see the emergence of telemedicine as just another option for an office visit. The reality is that telemedicine itself can be the direct underpinning for many digital health advancements. Further, this dynamic can facilitate adoption by leveraging the general social and clinical acceptance of telemedicine.

Telemedicine isn’t an option; it’s an imperative.