As visibly witnessed, the healthcare industry is evolving more rapidly than before. As a healthcare professional, you must find new ways to grow your practices. In times of technology and its advances, virtual medical assistance is one such quantum leap.
The adoption of virtual medical assistants in healthcare ecosystems has marked significant growth. It owns the potential to take patient experience to the next level.
This innovative approach to healthcare is bridging the gap between patients and doctors. It is opening up a world of possibilities for accessible, efficient, and personalized medical care.
What is the absolute need for a Virtual Medical Assistant?
Smooth Operations | Swift Assistance | Enhanced Patient Interaction
Nth Sense, a famed digital healthcare solutions provider, defines in one of their blogs VMA as –
“Force multiplier of a powerful and effective communication, enhanced disease awareness, and potential interventions”.
Did you know?
The global healthcare virtual assistant market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.7% from 2018 to 2025 to reach $1.7 billion in 2025.
Well, here are more 3 things you didn’t know about VMAs
They are beyond one task
VMAs do more than project manage your website and calendar. It also manages social media, client follow-up, email newsletters, and chat messages. It also propels your practice’s growth in all sorts of ways. That’s all you want, right?
VMAs are like administrative superheroes
They hold your office together, tackling all the modern workflow management digitally. VMAs step in as administrative superheroes by taking care of administrative responsibilities like:
● Multitasking capabilities: VMAs possess exceptional multitasking skills, allowing them to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. They can manage diverse administrative tasks, such as managing calendars, organizing schedules, handling social media accounts, sending email newsletters, and managing chat messages.
● Workflow management: Just like superheroes who maintain order and balance, VMAs are adept at managing the modern workflow of medical practices. From appointment verification to patient well-being follow-ups, VMAs handle actual administrative functions that contribute to the smooth running of a healthcare practice.
● Improved patient experience: VMAs are critical in improving the overall patient experience. By handling administrative tasks efficiently, VMAs contribute to seamless patient interactions and communication. They ensure that appointments are confirmed, reducing the chances of no-shows.
VMAs can also act as a ‘bad cop.’
VMAs provide valuable support by handling various essential tasks on your behalf, including:
- Appointment Confirmation: VMAs send timely reminders to confirm appointments, reducing the chances of no-shows.
- Patient Well-being: VMAs go the extra mile to check patients’ progress and ensure they feel better.
- Adherence Support: VMAs seamlessly manage medication adherence and treatment plans.
- Billing and Insurance Assistance: VMAs efficiently handle the time-consuming tasks of billing and insurance rebates, allowing you to focus on understanding and addressing patients’ discomforts.
A quick look into the relationship between virtual medical assistance and patient experience.
Patient experience can be defined as interactions with the entire care system right from the ground zero. It comprises the care from the health plans, doctor-patient communication, and administrative personnel.
Thus, the entire quality of the patient experience relies on several aspects. Aspects like the quality of care, access to information, clear & timely communication, seamless contact modes, billing processes & all other administrative processes.
What are the actual benefits of a Virtual Medical Assistant?
Virtual Medical Assistance stands at the forefront as we dive deeper into the digital age. It is heralding a new era of healthcare that is accessible, efficient, and patient-focused.
Also known as telemedicine or telehealth, VMA offers several benefits. It contributes to improving healthcare accessibility, convenience, and efficiency.
If kept aside from the actual care, a virtual medical assistant can efficiently manage all the other aspects. Apart from the apparent time and cost-saving benefits, here is a list that points towards the benefits a VMA can offer to enhance the patient experience–
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Accessible to all
The existence of VMA has broken down locational barriers, making healthcare accessible to everyone. Whether you reside in a remote village or a bustling city, quality healthcare is no longer a privilege limited by distance. Receiving medical help and advice from a healthcare provider can be done without travelling a long distance.
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Time-Saving
VMA enables the patient to receive medical care from the comfort of their homes. It eliminates the need for in-person visits, waiting times, scheduling appointments, etc.
This availability empowers patients, especially those with mobility limitations or chronic conditions. It enables them to actively take part in managing their healthcare journey.
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Expands the reach of Healthcare Professionals
VMA helps healthcare professionals to provide services to a larger patient population. It can be pretty beneficial in areas with a shortage of healthcare providers. It allows specialists to assist primary care physicians and provide expert consultations remotely.
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Eliminates extra expenses
Virtual consultations may be less expensive compared to traditional visits. It eliminates expenses associated with transportation, parking, and childcare often required for in-person visits. VMA is making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
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They are Mental Health Supporters
Virtual medical assistance has proven particularly valuable for mental health services. It enables individuals to receive counselling, therapy, or psychiatric consultations remotely. It is helping to remove barriers like stigma and providing greater privacy for those seeking mental healthcare.
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Active patient engagement
VMAs allow patients to access their medical records, test results, and educational materials online. It helps promote health literacy and empowers patients to take an active role in managing their health.
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Quick access to healthcare specialists
Virtual Medical Assistance has emerged as a game-changer, leveraging the power of technology to redefine the patient-doctor relationship.
Via VMA, if needed, a healthcare provider can quickly connect with specialists and obtain timely advice. It is potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
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Privacy & Security
VMA prioritizes patient privacy & security the most. Encryption and secure communication channels are used to protect sensitive patient information.
The channels ensure confidentiality during virtual consultations. The applications of VR in VMAs are expanding from virtual therapy sessions to immersive surgical training. It promises a future where medical procedures can be practised and perfected in a risk-free virtual environment.
To leave you with a thought
Be it a small medical practice or an age-old clinic, everyone deserves to benefit immensely from virtual medical assistance. Don’t say no to a little help. Remember, even Batman has Robin (and Batgirl, and Nightwing, and … you got the idea?).
VMA has the ability to break down barriers of time, space, and accessibility. It is paving the way for a patient-centric healthcare system. VMA isn’t just about keeping your paperwork organized. It’s about maximizing your productivity.
The less you get occupied in the clerical tasks (which are actually beyond your medical training scope), the more time you will find for what matters- patients and more of those!