Medical Economics October 27, 2020
Looking beyond telehealth to humanize virtual care
In the 1930s, physician house calls represented 40 percent of all physician-patient encounters. By 1980, that number had fallen to less than one percent. But the “golden age” of the physician house call has come full circle—albeit in a virtual fashion. With modern technology, not even the most welcoming office can humanize healthcare the way a virtual house call can. For years, we’ve assumed that physicians and patients must sit together in the same exam room to develop personal, trust-filled relationships. But COVID-19 has proven that communication technology can create enormously personal connections. In fact, virtual care may help deepen physician-patient relationships simply because it invites care conversations into the comfort of...